Sigma

What notable criticisms or rebuttals do we know about that existed at the time of the Koran's revelation?

What contemporary figures successfully challenged and refuted Mohammed's claims.

I guess this would be more suited to a forum dedicated to the study of Islamic history.

Xianthe

I suspect that most contemporary critics of the Koran didn't survive their attempts to cast doubt on its validity. There were a few but the one's I've been made aware of were murdered at the behest of Mohammad. For example, there was a Jewish companion of Mohammad who claimed that he actually composed the Koran on Mohammad's behalf. He was murdered. There were others. You may be interested in the following but I don't recall if it sheds any light on your specific question, Senior Seminar in Religion , retrieved 30 May 2007 from http://www.coloradocollege.edu/Dept/.../Engletext.htm. I'll see what else I can dig up from my archives and library if you are interested.

Xianthe

If you want to research the early period of Islam and the life and challenges of Mohammad, perhaps the two most authoritative references recognized today are:

Ibn Ishaq. The Life of Muhammad (or via: amazon.co.uk). Translated by A. Guillaume. Karachi: Oxford University Press, 1967.

Rodinson, Maxime, Mohammad (or via: amazon.co.uk). New York: The New Press, 2001.

Xianthe

You may also find this useful, http://debate.org.uk/topics/books/origins-koran.html.

Xianthe

The following is an excellent, short discussion on the history of the Koran, its early critics and its evolution; Cook, Michael, The Koran: A Very Short Introduction (or via: amazon.co.uk). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.

Sigma

Thanks for the responses Xianthe, I'll take a look at them.

mountainman

It depends upon how you view the term "successful"
in the context of capital punishment. Mohammed in
the relativity of his age was a pacifying influence,
but he drew the line at parodists and satirists, of
whom he ordered the execution of at least two when
he achieved supreme and absolute military power.

Mohammed was challenged by at least two parodists.
But their challenges resulted in their death.

Reminds me of Emperor Constantine, the Bible of
Constantine, and his challenger, Arius of Alexandria,
a man wise and clever in disputation, possibly both
a logician and a non-christian priest, who
was finally poisoned in Constantinople, the new
City of Constantine, probably under orders of
the Boss Himself.


Best wishes,


Pete Brown