This document provides background information on the life and teachings of Muhammad. It describes the political and religious landscape of the Arabian Peninsula in 570 CE, when Muhammad was born. The region was fragmented and behind other empires, with many religions and lack of centralized control. Muhammad began receiving revelations from God at age 40 and preached Islam, meeting resistance. In 622 CE, he fled persecution from Mecca to Medina, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar. From there he gained followers and eventually conquered Mecca in 630 CE, establishing Islam and dedicating the Kaaba shrine to Allah.