In accordance with Islamic law, director Moustapha Akkad's biopic of Mohammad never actually depicts the prophet himself, but rather outlines his story through the lives of certain cardinal figures in his life. Abu Sofyan (Michael Ansara), the leader of Mecca, Mohammad's uncle, Hamza (Anthony Quinn), and others chronicle the persecution of the earliest Muslims, their escape to Medina and their eventual victorious return to Mecca under the prophet's leadership.