Muhammed, sometimes called Muhammad the prophet, was the

founder of the religion of Islam. He was considered by Muslims to

be a messenger and prophet of God. Muslims believe he was the

last of the Islamic prophets.

Muhammed was born in 570 in the Arabian city of Mecca, he was orphaned young.When his parents died he was brought up by his uncle. He later worked mostly as a merchant, as well as a shepherd, and was married by the age of 25. He also worked to help the people in his community, was a public speaker and military leader.

He was not happy with his life in Mecca, but could not

understand why. ‘My business is going well. My family are fine.

People like me. So why am I so sad?' Muhammad thought again

about Mecca, the city where he lived. It was a very busy city,

full of people who were greedy and dishonest. No one cared

about the poor and the needy. People believed in evil spirits and

magic and worshipped many different gods.

Muhammad wondered if there was anything that would show

these people how to live better lives and to give up their bad

ways.

He decided to leave Mecca and spend time in a cave

outside the city, thinking about these things. It was a quiet, cool

place where he could think and pray all by himself. According to

Islamic beliefs it was here, at age 40, in the month of Ramadan,

that he received his first message from God.

One day, Muhammad had a strange feeling that he was no

longer alone. "Do not be afraid," said a voice. Muhammad rubbed

his eyes and stared - it was an angel. It was the Angel Gabriel.

Gabriel showed Muhammad some words. 'Read!' the angel

commanded. But Muhammad had never gone to school. He had

never learned to read or write. The angel repeated his command,

before squeezing Muhammad so hard that he thought that he

would faint.