Predictive History - The Story of "Civilization" Civilization #28 - Muhammad's Revolution of God
Oct 7, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of Muhammad's life and the rise of Islam. Discover the scarcity of early sources and how this shapes our understanding. Learn about Muhammad's transformative revelations and the welcoming embrace of Medina compared to Mecca's rejection. Explore the rapid expansion of Islam and the historical mystery behind it. The podcast draws intriguing parallels between Islam and other revolutionary movements, spotlighting the unique cultural and political landscape of Arabia during Muhammad's time.
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Sparse Historical Record For Muhammad
- We know surprisingly little about Muhammad compared to Jesus despite his comparable historical importance.
- The Quran and early sources provide limited personal quotations, making his biography uncertain.
Merchant Turned Prophet
- Muhammad began life as a Meccan merchant and led a conventional, prosperous life until age 40.
- His public religious mission began after meditative visions in a cave, claiming revelations from Gabriel.
Revelation As Restoration Of Monotheism
- Gabriel's revelations framed Muhammad's mission as restoring Abrahamic monotheism to corrupted Arabs.
- The visions recounted biblical stories, portraying Muhammad's illiteracy as evidence of miraculous revelation.
