• His uncle Abu Talib kept him out of debt and was his protector
  • Uncle was the Shaykh, Arab leader, of Banu Hashim
• Widely known throughout the city as having virtue
• Things changed when attracting attention of Khadija and marrying her
  • Paved the way for acceptance at highest levels of society
  • Was extremely successful running his wife’s business
• For fifteen years, struggled with differences in his lifestyle and beliefs
• Had a presence instruct him to recite a certain verse
  • Sources on first experience of Revelation are vague
• Waraqa told Khadija that “he is a prophet of this people”
• A second verse was sent assuring that he was now the Messenger of God
• Left Mecca after nearly simultaneous deaths of uncle and wife
• Divide in Islam religion after death in 632 due to unclear caliph