Islam has its origins in the religion of Judaism and Christianity in the Bible. Muhammad was born in Mecca in 570 AD and received revelations from God (Allah) through the angel Gabriel. Muslims would organize these revelations from God through Muhammad in the Quran. The basis of the religion is made up of the five pillars of practice (profession of faith, prayer, charity, fasting during Ramadan and performance of the hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). When Muhammad died, Islam split into two sects: Sunni (others outside of Muhammad's family can become a successor) and Shia (only descendants of Muhammad's family can be a successor). spread throughout much of Palestine, the Persian Empire and India by the Hegira (migration or journey) from Mecca to Medina or person-to-person conversion Although most converted to the. Islam came by force, most locals converted to align with the new leaders or to.