Summary: Many people think Muslims worship Muhammad ndash; but thatrsquo;s not true. Muhammad is not a deity. Instead Muslims believe he is the last in a line of prophets that includes Abraham and Jesus. And like many of his predecessors Muhammad came to his role reluctantly. His prophetic nature was revealed by the Angel Gabriel as Muhammad was meditating in a cave not far from Mecca. But Muhammad, at first, refused to believe he could be a prophet. He was a member of the most powerful tribe in Mecca, and a successful business man ndash; like many he contemplated the spiritual, but religion was not something he studied closely. Eventually, with the support of his wife, Muhammad accepted his role and began transcribing the Koran ndash; the Muslim holy book ndash; as it was revealed to him. At the same time, Muhammad began to challenge the polytheistic beliefs that abounded in Mecca and the Arabian Peninsula. His new teaching, that there is ldquo;No God but God,rdquo; would help lead the cities of Mecca and Medina to war ndash; Muhammad and his followers triumphant. With their victory these first Muslims, with Muhammad as their leader, set up Islam as the dominant faith in the region.
