For the Islamic nation, the time between 500-1500 AD was their "classical" period because so much of the religion of Islam began in that time. Muhammad was the prophet of Islam, his birth was the birth of the religion. When Muhammad had his revelations and the Quran was written, Islam gained its foundation. When Muhammad took control over Mecca he united the followers of Islam and declared Mecca to once again be the shrine of one God. These events shaped the history of the region and the religion.