Periodically, he would seclude himself in a mountain cave for several nights of prayer; where at age 40, he reported being visited by Gabriel in the cave, where he is known to have received his first revelation from God.

• Three years later Muhammad started preaching these revelations publicly, proclaiming that "God is One" and that complete "surrender" to God (or islam)  is "true religion" (din or deen).

Muhammad and his promotion of strict monotheism (to the God of Abraham) met strong opposition in the Arabian culture which at the time was thoroughly polytheistic and pagan.

• He even encouraged some of his early followers to Abyssinia to seek refuge among the "people of the book" (Christians). 

Muhammad later had the verses of the Qur'an (as revealed to him) written down. The verses are referred to as "Ayah" meaning a "sign of God." The Qur'an is regarded as the "word of God" and is the only text in Islam that is given this stature. The Hadith' and other texts are not considered to be equivalent to the Qur'an, nor are they considered the "word of God."

As a practice and a sign of respect, Muslims will often say "Muhammad, peace be upon him" or "PBUH"  for short. It is also common for this to be done in reference to other prophets of God; For example, "Jesus, peace be upon him."

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