imported, with some adulterations, more or less wholesale
into the Koran.
20. Where was Islam founded and by
whom?
According to Islamic tradition, the prophet Muhammad
(A.D. 570–632) began receiving revelations (Wahy) from
Allah through the angel Gabriel in the city of Mecca, in
what is now Saudi Arabia, in the year 610. Muhammad was
born in Arabia and spent the first forty years of his life as a
merchant. These revelations continued until his death on
June 8, 632.
Although Muhammad introduced teachings that had
never before been part of Jewish or Christian tradition,
Muslims believe that Islam is the natural and original
religion of all human beings, and that it was preached by the
prophets of Judaism and Christianity. As such, Muslims do
not generally regard Muhammad as the founder of Islam,
but merely as its final prophet.[8]
Muhammad believed that his revelations were in some
kind of continuity with Judaism and Christianity. Therefore,
Muslims would say the founder of Islam is Allah himself in
his revelations to all the prophets.