Muhammad founded the religion of Islam in the 7th century CE after experiencing visions from the angel Gabriel. He taught that there is only one God, Allah, and recorded his revelations in the Qur'an. Muhammad fled persecution in Mecca by moving to Medina in an event known as the Hegira. After Muhammad's death, leadership of the Muslim community passed to Abu Bakr and later Ali, splitting Muslims into the Sunni and Shiite sects. The core beliefs of Islam are outlined in the Five Pillars: the shahadah creed, daily prayer, almsgiving, fasting during Ramadan, and the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime