<P> According to tradition , the Islamic prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca around the year 570 . His family belonged to the Quraysh . When he was about forty years old , he began receiving what Muslims consider to be divine revelations delivered through the angel Gabriel , which would later form the Quran , enjoining him to proclaim a strict monotheistic faith , warn his compatriots of the impending Judgement Day , and castigate social injustices of his city . Muhammad 's message won over a handful of followers and was met with increasing opposition from notables of Mecca . In 618 , after he lost protection with the death of his influential uncle Abu Talib , Muhammad took flight to the city of Yathrib ( subsequently called Medina ) where he was joined by his followers . Later generations would count this event , known as the hijra , as the start of the Islamic era . </P>
who is recognized as the founder of islam
the Islamic prophet Muhammad