Ryan Collins
8/19/20
Dr. Dunbar
Final Paper
Topic: The Prophet Muhammad
The Prophet Muhammad was no different than the common man at the time of his
existence. He was born on August 20, 570 C.E. in a small town in the environmentally harsh
terrain of the country Syria to a poor family (Demi). His father was a merchant and a clay–
worker and died before Muhammad was even born. During his youth, he grew up in the Muslim
“Age of Ignorance” which was basically a time of unknown with little to no compassion shown
by others. It was considered a period of time in history before the emergence of major human
learning and growth. As Muhammad grew older, his involvement in the Caravan trade was an
extraordinary opportunity that lifted him out of poverty and brought him into contact with the
outside world. In 610 C.E. Muhammad received a revelation from God brought by the angel
Gabriel. These began the first versus of the Koran and after 23 years later, the Koran was
finished (Demi). Even though Muhammad is not considered divine, he is the model for all
Muslims. This shows how much respect is paid to the seal of prophets. It is not surprising that
Muhammad had lived such a dedicated life, but what was his journey like?
Muhammad’s Youth
Like previously stated, Muhammad was born in 570 C.E. in the town of Mecca.
Muhammad was born into membership of the Quraish, a mercantile Arab tribe that historically
inhabited and controlled Mecca and its Ka’aba (Gabriel 53). Mecca became an urban society
consisting of various groups of artisans and traders.
Muhammad was born as a regular man in Saudi Arabia to a poor family. His father,
Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib, had died before he was born, and his mother died when he was
six (Haykal 46). He grew up during the Muslim ‘Age of Ignorance’ in a tough environment and
terrain with little to no compassion coming from others. Muhammad accompanied his uncle on
countless caravan journeys. Because he had no one really to educate him, protect him, supply
him with money or contacts in the business world, it took Muhammad years until he could build
a solid reputation and make a name for himself. In his mid-twenties, he eventually gained a
reputation for honesty and trustworthiness which brought him great success (Gabriel 55). As he
grew older, Muhammad’s involvement in the Caravan trade was an extraordinary opportunity
that lifted him out of poverty and brought him into contact with the outside world.
