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SkepticalThinker · 07-22-2008, 10:44 AM

Koranic scholarship seems to be a lot less developed than Biblical scholaship, so the book The Hidden Origins of Islam: New Research into Its Early History (or via: amazon.co.uk) looks like it will be a welcome addition. Perhaps, it could even act as a catalyst for further development in Koranic scholarship. I definitely think it will be worth checking out.

gstafleu · 07-22-2008, 11:03 AM

From the review on Amazon:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amazon

Based on the premise that reliable history can only be written on the basis of sources that are contemporary with the events described, the contributors to this in-depth investigation present research that reveals the obscure origins of Islam in a completely new light. As the authors meticulously show, the name "Muhammad" first appears on coins in Syria bearing Christian iconography. In this context the name is used as an honorific meaning "revered" or "praiseworthy" and can only refer to Jesus Christ, as Christianity was the predominant religion of the area at this time. This same reference exists in the building inscription of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, built by the caliph `Abd al-Malik.

The implication of these and other findings here presented is that the early Arab rulers adhered to a sect of Christianity. Indeed, evidence from the Koran, finalized at a much later time, shows that its central theological tenets were influenced by a pre-Nicean, Syrian Christianity. Linguistic analysis also indicates that Aramaic, the common language throughout the Near East for many centuries and the language of Syrian Christianity, significantly influenced the Arabic script and vocabulary used in the Koran. Finally, it was not until the end of the eighth and ninth centuries that Islam formed as a separate religion, and the Koran underwent a period of historical development of at least 200 years.

If this is correct (big if, of course) then it has some interesting consequences for the "Historical Mohammed" debate. If "Muhammad" indeed started out as referring to Jesus, then this could indicate that the concept of Mohammed actually evolved out of the concept of Jesus. Quite interesting, indeed.

Gerard Stafleu

motorhead · 07-22-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkepticalThinker

looks like it will be a welcome addition. Perhaps, it could even act as a catalyst for further development in Koranic scholarship.

I hope it is. It's needed badly. Islam needs an enlightenment like the West. Anything that will help that come sooner is welcome.

Jeffrey Gibson · 07-22-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gstafleu

From the review on Amazon:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amazon

Based on the premise that reliable history can only be written on the basis of sources that are contemporary with the events described, the contributors to this in-depth investigation present research that reveals the obscure origins of Islam in a completely new light. As the authors meticulously show, the name "Muhammad" first appears on coins in Syria bearing Christian iconography. In this context the name is used as an honorific meaning "revered" or "praiseworthy" and can only refer to Jesus Christ, as Christianity was the predominant religion of the area at this time.

Christianity was the predominant religion in Mecca and Yathrib in the 6th century?

Jeffrey

Toto · 07-22-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffrey Gibson

...
Christianity was the predominant religion in Mecca and Yathrib in the 6th century?

Jeffrey

That sentence speaks about Syria.

Toto · 07-22-2008, 11:20 AM

The book is not out yet, but it will be interesting to find out how this is argued.

Is "Mohammed" a title that morphed into a name, like "Christ" is alleged to be?

Jeffrey Gibson · 07-22-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

The book is not out yet, but it will be interesting to find out how this is argued.

If you can read German, you'll get some sense of it here:

http://www.verlag-hans-schiler.de/in...90&language=en

Jeffrey

SkepticalThinker · 07-22-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffrey Gibson

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

The book is not out yet, but it will be interesting to find out how this is argued.

If you can read German, you'll get some sense of it here:

http://www.verlag-hans-schiler.de/in...90&language=en

Jeffrey

Jeff can you read German? If so I was wondering if you can summarize some of the content the link features.

Thanks,

ST

thedistillers · 07-22-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Linguistic analysis also indicates that Aramaic, the common language throughout the Near East for many centuries and the language of Syrian Christianity, significantly influenced the Arabic script and vocabulary used in the Koran.

There's already a book about that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Syr...g_Of_The_Koran

SkepticalThinker · 07-22-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedistillers

Quote:

Linguistic analysis also indicates that Aramaic, the common language throughout the Near East for many centuries and the language of Syrian Christianity, significantly influenced the Arabic script and vocabulary used in the Koran.

There's already about book about that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Syr...g_Of_The_Koran

Yes, I have heard of that book as well, but it could be that they are going to add to the theory (perhaps change it a little bit as well) or even respond to some of the critics of the theory. Even if it is basically the same theory it is still good to bring it to a wider audience and thus encourage more scholary debate concerning the Koran.

07-22-2008, 10:44 AM	#1
SkepticalThinker Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 28	The Hidden Origins of Islam Koranic scholarship seems to be a lot less developed than Biblical scholaship, so the book The Hidden Origins of Islam: New Research into Its Early History (or via: amazon.co.uk) looks like it will be a welcome addition. Perhaps, it could even act as a catalyst for further development in Koranic scholarship. I definitely think it will be worth checking out.

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07-22-2008, 11:20 AM	#6
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	The book is not out yet, but it will be interesting to find out how this is argued. Is "Mohammed" a title that morphed into a name, like "Christ" is alleged to be?

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