When Did Islam Begin?
Islam began at two different times: one from the followers of Islam and one from historians. Etymologically, the word Islam comes from the arabic verb “aslama.” While aslama literally means “to accept, surrender or submit,” for the purpose of the religion Islam, this meaning translates into an acceptance, a surrender and a submission to the one God, Allah. Followers of Islam, also called Muslims, believe that Islam has always been in the world, and that there is no beginning date. However, most historians ascribe the beginning of Islam during the lifetime of the Prophet Mohammed who lived during the 6th and 7th Centuries, from 570 to 632 A.D.
Many historians call the time up to the life of the Prophet Mohammed to be pre-Islam. During the time before Mohammed, the Arabic people believed in multiple gods. Because Islam stresses the belief in only one God, historians do not consider the time of multiple gods to be Islam as it is known today.
Another reason why many believe that Islam has been around since the creation of the world is that followers of Islam believe that many prophets of Islam came before Mohammed. Islamic prophets hold much more power within Islam than Christian prophets do in Christianity. While Christian prophets may speak about God, followers of Islam believe that their prophets speak directly from God and tells the people of God’s will. Rejecting the words of the prophet means rejecting God. A new prophet means that God has something new to tell His people. Old laws may be abandoned and new laws may be established by this new prophet.
Mohammed
Mohammed is known as the last prophet by all those who follow Islam. God deemed him the last man to speak on His behalf. This also means that any who have come after him claiming to be a prophet may be suffering from delusions or lying, according to followers of Islam.
Mohammed, born around 570 A.D., lost both of his parents before he was five. His uncle, Abu Talib, raised him and taught him to be a tradesman. At age 25, Mohammed married a wealthy woman 15 years his senior. However, it wasn’t until age 40 that his life as a prophet began.
According to historians, Mohammed often meditated in a cave named Hira located outside of Mecca. While in the cave, an angel visited him on multiple occasions and taught him verses in praise of Allah. After learning these words, the angel told him to spread the message. Thus began his new life as a prophet in the year 610 A.D. Mohammed began with only a few followers at first, since he spoke of only one God. Many did not believe him.
Many people in Mecca remained polytheistic even after ten years of his teachings. Once Mohammed was forced out of one city, he would go to another to preach. Slowly he gained followers, and these followers would also be persecuted and forced to leave their homes. After finding and converting many of the Yathrib tribe to Islam, Muhammed moved to Madina from Mecca to hopefully live in peace where people followed his teachings.
Those in Mecca still wouldn’t believe, and the transformation from a polytheistic religion to a monotheistic one was a long and painful journey. Non-believers made many threats against Mohammed, and many battles were fought. Peace in Mecca did not come until 629 A.D. when he finally convinced the leaders to join Islam. Afterwards, he destroyed all remnants of the old gods making Mecca a monotheistic city. Mohammed died a few years later in 632 A.D. Abu Bakr, his successor, named Mohammed the Last Prophet.
So, the answer to the question, “When did Islam begin?” can really be answered in two ways. First, polytheistic Islam is believed by Muslims to have been around since the creation of the world. Second, monotheistic Islam has been around since 610 A.D. From there, Islam has spread around the world.