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c 570
Muhammad, whose name means "praiseworthy", is the credited founder of Islam. He was said to be the last prophet sent by God and was born in Mecca, located in today's Saudi Arabia. -
c 576/578
At this time, around the age of six or so, Muhammad's mother dies and has to move in with his grandfather. His grandfather dies two years later, resulting in Muhammad joining his uncle in trade. -
c 610
At the age of fourty, Muhammad receives his first vision/ visit from Angel Gabriel in a cave near Mecca. At this time, he was given the first of many verses that would later become the Qur'an. -
c 610 - c 622
From "the Night of Power" to "the Hijra", Muhammad preached in his hometown/city, gathering some followers (including his wife, who happened to be his first follower). They suffered persecution from non-believers, causing issues within their faith. -
c 622
Due to persecution and rumors of an upcoming assasination attempt on him, Muhammad and his followers flee northward to Yathrib, now known as Medina. This is recorded as the first year of the Islamic calendar. -
Muhammad died at the age of sixty-two or sixty-three of an on-going illness. He was then succeeded by the first caliph, Abu Bakr. Soon after the prophet's death, two Islamic groups emmerged, the Sunni and the Shia. Members of the two groups disagree on who the rightful successor of Muhammad was and eventually developed other differences such as political views and opinions on "real" Muslim values.
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Within 100 years of Muhammad's death, Islam has spread as far as the Atlantic Ocean one direction, and the far borders of China the other way.
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Abu Bakr is the caliph from June 8th, 634 AD to August 23rd, 644 AD. By using his military, Abu spread Islam much farther, reaching countless new followers. He was the caliph until he died.
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c 650
Caliph Uthman (the third caliph) has the Qur'an officially written down, compiling all of Muhammad's verses. -
c 1000
Islam continues to spread throughout Africa. -
c 1120
Islam continues to spread throughout Asia.