Final answer:
Muhammad is recognized in Islam as the final prophet, following a lineage that includes prophets like Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. His teachings form the core of Islamic belief, compiled in the Quran, and despite his death, his teachings continue to be followed by Muslims around the world.
Step-by-step explanation:
Muhammad is the figure who claimed to be the last and greatest of the prophets of Allah, according to Islamic belief. He was seen as the final prophet in a succession that included notable figures such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. These prophets were all considered messengers of one true God. Muhammad's profound experiences began at the age of forty when he reported being visited by the archangel Gabriel who revealed to him that he was to spread God's message to the people.
Muhammad's revelations were compiled into the holy book of Islam, the Quran. His message was clear: there is only one God (Allah), and lifetime financial and ethical practices must be based on this tenet. He faced significant opposition in his home city of Mecca due to his monotheistic beliefs, which stood in contrast to the polytheistic traditions of the time. After being forced to leave Mecca, Muhammad's migration to Medina, known as the Hejira, marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
Following Muhammad's death in 632 CE, the early Muslim community faced the challenge of continuing without a prophet. Leadership passed to the 'Rightly Guided Caliphs', starting with Abu Bakr, but the community still had to define its path forward. Despite this leadership transition, the core of Muhammad's teachings, including the Five Pillars of Islam, remained central to the Islamic faith.