Year: 1976
Runtime: 206 mins
Language: Arabic
Director: Moustapha Akkad
Set in sixth‑century Mecca, the film follows Prophet Muhammad as he receives his first divine revelation and, three years later, publicly declares his mission as God’s messenger. He confronts opposition from Meccan rulers Abu Sufyan and his wife Hind, as his early followers endure hunting, torture and exile, yet remain steadfast to Islam.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of The Message (1976), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
The film opens with Heraclius, Muqawqis, and Kisra receiving invitations from the Prophet to embrace Islam, signaling the start of a movement that challenges powerful empires. Early on, Muhammad is visited by the angel Gabriel, who commands him to begin and spread the Quran. As word spreads, a small group of Meccans begins to convert.
As the new faith grows, opposition intensifies. Followers are hunted and their possessions confiscated, and some believers seek refuge in Abyssinia under the protection of the king there, An-Najashi. The believers eventually head north to Medina, where they are warmly welcomed and establish the first Islamic mosque, the Quba Mosque. They learn that their belongings are being sold back in Mecca, and Muhammad weighs a path that leans toward peace, even as conflict looms on the horizon.
Conflict does flare, and the fledgling community faces its first major tests. They are attacked but win the Battle of Badr, a victory that underscores the resolve of the early Muslims. The Meccans, bent on revenge, muster a larger force—about three thousand men—for the Battle of Uhud, during which Hamza ibn al-Muttalib falls, and the Muslims, after pursuing the enemy, are taken by surprise from behind, suffering a setback. A ten-year truce follows, offering a fragile pause in hostilities.
Years pass, and change arrives in the form of a conversion that reshapes the balance of power: Khalid ibn al-Walid, a Meccan general who had fought against the Muslims, embraces Islam. Meanwhile, Muslim camps in the desert face night-time raids, and the community suspects the Meccans of breaking the truce. Abu Sufyan travels to Medina in fear of retribution, asserting that robbers rather than his people breached the agreement. The Muslims respond by mounting a full-scale attack on Mecca, gathering support from tribes across the region.
Mecca ultimately surrenders to the Muslims without bloodshed. The pagan idols inside the Kaaba are destroyed, and the very first call to prayer from the Kaaba is proclaimed by Bilal ibn Rabah. The city’s spiritual shift is marked by the Farewell Sermon, a moment that signals the consolidation of a new era.
As the narrative closes, a narrator reflects on Islam’s enduring legacy, followed by authentic footage of worshippers performing tawaf around the Kaaba in contemporary times. The end credits roll over a montage of mosques from around the world, with the adhan echoing as Muslims come together in prayer.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:33
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Epic historical dramas about the birth of a faith amid intense persecution and conflict.Explore movies like The Message that depict the dramatic, high-stakes origins of major religions. If you enjoyed the tense historical narrative of early Islam's struggle, you'll find similar epics about spiritual awakenings, persecution, and steadfast community building against overwhelming odds.
Stories in this thread typically follow a linear, straightforward historical path from divine revelation or spiritual calling to public declaration, fierce opposition, and ultimate triumph or establishment. The central conflict is between a nascent, idealistic faith and the entrenched powers it threatens, leading to intense human drama and historical battles.
Movies are grouped here based on their shared focus on the foundational moments of a religion, a consistently high-stakes and tense tone, heavy emotional weight from themes of persecution, and an epic, reverent treatment of the subject matter.
Character-driven sagas where individuals endure immense hardship for a deeply held conviction.Discover movies with a similar feel to The Message, focusing on characters who remain steadfast under extreme pressure. If you were captivated by the tense struggle and unwavering faith against persecution, these films offer comparable journeys of resilience, sacrifice, and eventual triumph.
The narrative pattern involves a protagonist or group clinging to a core conviction—be it religious, ideological, or moral—against a powerful, antagonistic force. The story unfolds through a series of escalating trials designed to break their spirit, focusing on their internal fortitude and the bonds of their community, leading to a cathartic, uplifting resolution.
These movies share a specific emotional mix: a consistently tense and confrontational tone, a steady pacing that emphasizes prolonged struggle, high intensity from persecution, and a heavy emotional weight that makes the ultimate hopeful ending feel earned and profound.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Message in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Message is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
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Discover movies like The Message that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
The Message (1976) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
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