The creator of the Islamic religion was a prophet named Muhammad who was born in Mecca which we know as Saudi Arabia. Muhammad never considered himself as someone divine but a messenger from God to relay the messages God had for humanity. Before there was Islam, there were three other dominant religions in the area such as Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism along with local practices. The people within that region knew Allah was a symbol of faith and not one to worship.
Mecca was the center of the religion because it is believed that a meteorite that fell in the middle of Mecca was sent from the heavens above. It was in a shape of a cube, and in Arabic is pronounced "Kabah."
Muhammad had a rough childhood. His father had died shortly before his birth and it is assumed his mother passed away when Muhammad was a child. After losing both parents, he went to live with his grandfather and two years later passed away and went to live with his uncle Abu Talib. Muhammad was a caravan driver for a widow named Khadijah who later became his wife. The marriage brought many good fortunes and six wonderful children. Unfortunately, Muhammad and Khadijah did not bare a son.
Muhammad's job required him to travel a lot and experience different types of religions and was able to see the similarities and differences among them. He was a religious person and wanted to find an understanding within all these religions and would go to caves to meditate around Mecca. When Muhammad was forty, his first revelation appeared to him. A bright figure appeared to him and held before his eyes a cloth covered in writings commanding to recite what was on there three times. The scripture presented was to recite that there is only one God who created the world and his name is Allah. Muhammad was very confused and could not believe what had just been revealed to him and went to Khadijah to seek for guidance in what he should do. Khadijah told him to accept the event as a form of communication from God.
Muhammad accepted what had happened and shared it with his wife, cousin and his immediate friends who are recognized as the first Muslims.
When Muhammad first started to preach his revelations more freely, the communities did not take it well. He believed there should only be one god to worship and all the statues and images of these other gods should be torn down. Secondly, he did not agree with the high tax rates in which businesses were involved in because it often ended in families losing everything they owned to pay off the debts. His family members started dying one after the other and Muhammad had come to the decision to leave Mecca and so did his followers. Muhammad went to Jerusalem and had an experience of going to hell and heaven to meet God. This event confirmed Muhammad's vocation as a prophet and messenger from God.
While the persecution of the Muslims continued to intensify, Muhammad and his followers left Mecca in 622 CE. This migration is known as the Hijra meaning flight or migration., and marks the point in which Muhammad's message was favorably received and the commencement of the Muslim community. He officially built the first mosque in Yathrib where his ideal belief system was established. Muhammad then returned to Mecca and destroyed everything that went against his beliefs and installed his beliefs. He wanted to expand further out to Syria but he died before he could.
Mollot , Michael . "The Life and Teachings of Muhammad ." Experiencing World Religions . N.p.: n.p., n.d. 409-14. Print.