QM Forum
Islamic Secondary Sources => Discussions => Topic started by: Wakas on September 14, 2012, 07:38:55 AM
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See: https://vimeo.com/49317210
I thought it was good overall, but he seemed to mislead in some claims, e.g. he seemed to imply there is no mention of Muhammad anywhere except on coins ~60 years after his alleged death. But see part 1 in this rebuttal: http://www.iera.org.uk/press_29aug2012.html
Also there is a good explanation for that since Quran is a strictly monotheistic book and it is likely the earliest adherents to the faith understood this and gave no elevation of prophet Muhammad. Interestingly, Holland states that all we pretty much know about the earliest conquering Arabs arriving in Jerusalem is that they believed in one God, called themselves "believers", and had an instructor (or instruction?). This is pretty much the theory as discussed in Fred Donner's book "Muhammad and the believers at the origins of islam", which I recommend reading.
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Hello all,
Just read Fred Donner's book "Muhammad and the believers at the origins of islam, which was mentioned on this post a couple of years ago. It would seem to be coherent with most of the views on this forum. Quite amazing, from someone who has no personal belief in Islam.
Has anyone read this book? It was written 2 years ago, has there been new light on this topic in recent times?
Wasalam
Zack
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Hello ZEI,
I must have missed your post. I have read it, it's a good book and seems the most probable from what I know. Interestingly, similar to how Quran sets the scene in the latter stages of revelation.
People can watch him talk about his book here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RFK5u5lkhA
Or download some of it here:
http://www.islam-and-muslims.com/islamic-books-online.html