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When young boy, Muhammad worked as a shepherd to help pay his keep. In his teens he sometimes traveled with Abu Talib, who was a merchant, accompanying caravans to trade centers. Older merchants recognized his character and nicknamed him El–Amin, the one you can trust.
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Muhammad was born in Mecca. Soon after birth his father passed away so he was raised by his mother.
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Muhammad's mother passed away when he was five years old. He was put under the protection of his paternal grandfather.
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Mecca's new materialism and its traditional idolatry disturbed Muhammad. He began making long retreats to a mountain cave outside town. There, he fasted and meditated. Muhammad was visited by an overpowering presence and instructed to recite words of such beauty and force that he and others gradually attributed them to God.
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Muhammad and his few hundred followers left Mecca and traveled to Yathrib, the oasis town where his father was buried. The leaders there were suffering through a vicious civil war, and they had invited this man well known for his wisdom to act as their mediator. Muhammad remained here for the next six years, building the first Muslim community and gradually gathering more and more people to his side.
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The balance of power had shifted away Mecca, toward Muhammad and the Muslims. In January, 630, they marched on Mecca and were joined by tribe after tribe along the way. They entered Mecca without bloodshed and the Meccans, seeing the tide had turned, joined them.
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After the pilgrimage, he returned to Medina. Three months later on June 8, 632 he died there, after a brief illness. He is buried in the mosque in Medina.
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Muhammad married Khadja when he was 25 and she was almost forty. They had six children together; two of which died during infancy.