[Rockingham]

In the early 7th Century, a shift in trade routes between Asia and Europe cut the Arabian Peninsula and Syria and their populace out of a centuries old and lucrative role as intermediaries. As a result, they turned to looting and conquest of each other and then of the outposts and cities of a Roman world in decline. As an affluent and key part of the commercial economy, Jews were often a distinct target.

In order to legitimate and govern this unexpected new empire, the faith of Islam was contrived and promulgated through the figure of Muhammad and the Koran. A compilation of Arabian war history and doctrines and new governing rules was given a gloss of pagan and marginal, heretical Christian beliefs and called a holy book as a way to displace competing sources of authority.

[Big Red Badger]

Fascinating take on this.
Ishmael was described as a wild man
and he would be at Odds with all.
So it is Written, so it shall be done
.
(I’m binge watching THE TEN COMMANDMENTS)