Islam began in the early 7th century in Mecca, a city in present-day Saudi Arabia. The founder of Islam is Prophet Muhammad, who was born in Mecca around 570 CE. Muhammad began receiving revelations from Allah through the angel Gabriel when he was 40 years old. He spent the next 23 years preaching the message of Islam to his people. The teachings of Islam spread rapidly and soon attracted followers from all over Arabia. In 622 CE, Muhammad migrated to Medina with his companions, an event known as the Hijra, which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. After several years of conflicts with the Meccans, Muhammad and his followers conquered Mecca in 630 CE, and Islam became the dominant religion in Arabia. Muhammad died two years later, and his teachings and message were recorded in the Quran, Islam’s holy book.