Islamic History
Although Islam was the religion of all Prophets and all mankind since the beginning of time, mankind constantly changed the teachings of the Prophets. Therefore, God repeatedly sent Prophets and Holy Books for mankind's guidance.
The final Holy Prophet Muhammad was born in the year 570 in Mecca, current day Saudi Arabia. At the age of 40, Prophet Muhammad Allah's Peace and Blessings be on him, received the first revelation from God through the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) عليه السلام and the first verses of the final Holy Book, the Quran, were revealed to him. Afterward, he was ordered to preach the message of Islam to his people.
For three years, the Holy Prophet (God's blessings be on him) and those who converted to Islam, preached in secret, preaching to those close to him.
After three years, the Prophet (SAW) started preaching openly. Since the inhabitants of the city of Mecca, as all of Arabia, were mainly idolators who didn't like the new message, therefore, the Prophet (SAW) and the believers faced a lot of torture and persecution at the hands of the Meccan idolators. Finally, after about 13 years of preaching in Mecca, the Prophet (SAW) and the believers migrated to Yathrib another city, now known as Madina, whose inhabitants had become muslims and were more welcoming to the new religion. in Madina, the Prophet (SAW) established the first Islamic state and the Muslims continued preaching to all those around them. After about 10 years and many struggles and battles in self-defense, the Holy Prophet peacefully conquered the city of Makkah (Mecca), pardoning all his former enemies. No battle was fought at the conquest of Mecca and no one was taken prisoner. "Go, you are all free," the Prophet (SAW) announced to the inhabitants of Mecca.
This behavior of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم (Allah's Peace and Blessings be on him) made all the people of Mecca realize the truth of Islam and so they became Muslims.
Prophet Muhammad was the final Prophet and Messenger of God sent for mankind's guidance and no other prophet will be sent after him. The Holy Quran is God's final revelation for mankind's guidance. Since it is the final Holy Book, God promised to preserve it and up till today, after over 1,400 years since its revelation, it is still unchanged. It will remain unchanged up to the Day of Judgment, being a source of guidance for all mankind.
Read also, Who is Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم?
Additional Resources
For more information about Islam, go to:
http://www.islam-guide.com or http://www.wamy.co.uk