A desert peninsula in the 6th century was the crossroads of the world, the bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa. Arabia was a desolate, deserted land, rarely seeing life beyond that of trading caravans. City-states dominated political life, and the only form of centralized government was in chaos. This was Arabia in the 6th century, this, although Christian, would become the starting point for the growth of the second largest religion that exists today. This is where the "Prophet" Muhammad was born, in the city of Mecca. In 570 Muhammad was born, son of Abdullah who had died a few weeks earlier. Nobody knew that in 53 years a journey would begin that would change the world for thousands of years. After being born without a father, Muhammad was placed in the care of an adoptive mother who lived with him and another adopted son in the desert for many years (Hamidullah, par. 10). After returning from the desert Muhammad took a trip to his father's grave with his biological mother and his uncle, unfortunately on the return trip his mother was suddenly killed. Muhammad experiences so much pain in his life after the death of his mother that the impending death of his grandmother was almost too much to bear and he was sent to live with his generous uncle as a pauper at the age of 8 (Pickthall, par. 2 ). Muhammad was forced to find a job and help his family, he began to be a shepherd for the neighbors and when he was 10 years old and old enough he accompanied his uncle in a caravan that he was driving through the desert and it is believed possible that he helped him with his work. Even the company. Many years passed and Muhammad grew up to be a highly respected man, by the age of 25 he was considered honest and admirable in his... middle of paper...peace be upon him) in Medina By: Anonymous(4) http://www.ottawamuslim.net/Religious%20events/calendar.htm 2003 Calendar with Islamic Dates in North America by: S. Khalid Shaukat(5) http://www .usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/ prophet/lifeofprophet.html "Islam and the Modern Age", Hydrabad, March 1978.(6) http://www.islamic-knowledge.com/Prophet.htm#Seerah%20 -%20BiographyVarious Authors, assembled by; Rabi AlAwwal, 2003(7) http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/WestTech/islam.htmLISLAM, ITS HISTORY, VALUES AND TECHNOLOGYSteve Dutch 1996