02 Jul 09
Originally posted by scherzoI'd guess he was a christian.
Before his Revelation, was he a Christian, a Jew, a pagan, or something else?
I'm genuinely curious.
Please back up your answer. [glares at daniel58]
"There is very little material on which to base a description of pre-Islamic religion, particularly in Mecca and the Hejaz. The Qur'an and the hadith, or recorded oral traditions, give some hints as to this religion. Islamic commentators have elaborated these hints into a coherent account that most academics doubt in part or in whole.
Christianity is known to have been active in the region before the rise of Islam, especially unorthodox, possibly gnostic forms of it.[15] Some tribes practised Judaism."
from the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Islamic_Arabia
02 Jul 09
Originally posted by robbie carrobieThat is true. I don't think he was Christian, but he was probably pagan or Jewish.
i think he was a Pagan, for he uttered the so called 'satanic verses', praising the deities of Medina when the people of Medina were going to kick his head in, so that they wouldn't.
02 Jul 09
Originally posted by TerrierJackNo. We worship our "big-rock" for the same reasons that Christians worship two perpendicular pieces of wood and Jewish people worship an old wall. No offense meant to other Christians or Jews on this forum.
Isn't that why they still worship their big-rock?
In other words, Terrier, be tolerant or be quiet.
02 Jul 09
Originally posted by scherzoI think he was a pagan Arab influenced by Judaism. The local Jewish tribes thought he was nuts. So did the other Arabs. Prophet's wages, I guess. Yet his persecuted following emerged victorious.
Before his Revelation, was he a Christian, a Jew, a pagan, or something else?
I'm genuinely curious.
Please back up your answer. [glares at daniel58]
02 Jul 09
I suspect that Bosse is right. The majority Arab culture seems to have been pagan; the Quraysh in Mecca were pagan, and the Ka’aba had become a pagan sanctuary. But neither Judaism nor Christianity were unknown.
However, I think there were also non-aligned monotheists—called Hanifs—who likely also influenced Muhammad.
(I’ve read several sources, but the most recent is Reza Aslan’s No god but God.)
03 Jul 09
1 edit
Originally posted by vistesdIt's interesting to think about. What seems clear is that pagan or not the city of Mecca was not some primitive backwater but was connected to the intellectual currents of the time. Although Medina was probably better connected.
I suspect that Bosse is right. The majority Arab culture seems to have been pagan; the Quraysh in Mecca were pagan, and the Ka’aba had become a pagan sanctuary. But neither Judaism nor Christianity were unknown.
However, I think there were also non-aligned monotheists—called Hanifs—who likely also influenced Muhammad.
(I’ve read several sources, but the most recent is Reza Aslan’s No god but God.)
Thanks for pointing out the hanifs -- the notion of pre-Islamic monotheistic prophets ignites dormant areas of my historical imagination. Even the wikipedia entry ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanif
03 Jul 09
Originally posted by scherzothe cross is a symbolism of christ, the cross itself is not worshipped.
No. We worship our "big-rock" for the same reasons that Christians worship two perpendicular pieces of wood and Jewish people worship an old wall. No offense meant to other Christians or Jews on this forum.
In other words, Terrier, be tolerant or be quiet.
03 Jul 09
Originally posted by Bosse de NageAnd here we are.
I think he was a pagan Arab influenced by Judaism. The local Jewish tribes thought he was nuts. So did the other Arabs. Prophet's wages, I guess. Yet his persecuted following emerged victorious.
That's interesting, and because I know little about the circumstances, I'll take it as true, but do you have a source that can confirm it?
03 Jul 09
Originally posted by vistesdAh. Never mind then, Bosse.
I suspect that Bosse is right. The majority Arab culture seems to have been pagan; the Quraysh in Mecca were pagan, and the Ka’aba had become a pagan sanctuary. But neither Judaism nor Christianity were unknown.
However, I think there were also non-aligned monotheists—called Hanifs—who likely also influenced Muhammad.
(I’ve read several sources, but the most recent is Reza Aslan’s No god but God.)