Muhammad (570-632), was born in Mecca during one of the single darkest and most evil periods of human history. Fifty years prior to his birth Emperor Justinian had introduced his new Christian laws for the remnants of the Roman Empire and sealing the fate of the ancient Hellenic world of wisdom, science, enlightenment and society.
 
  Thanks to over one hundred years of dedicated fanaticism by Christian leaders, Rome's once great cities and towns that had sophisticated santitation systems, public baths and water fountains had been turned into open sewers, devoid of any surviving skilled doctors, engineers, builders or scientists and instead replaced by illiterate priests and thieves praying on the weak.  
  Less than twenty five years prior to the birth of Muhammad, the world had then been plunged into utter darkness thanks to dramatic climactic change, failed crops, hunger and the ravages of Bubonic plague that had killed over one in two innocent souls across Europe, Asia and the Middle East- over one hundred million souls lost.  
  It is impossible to believe that Muhammad growing up in a regional trading centre such as Mecca would have not seen the nor heard of the seismic effects of these events, for Muhammad was literally born during a time when many believed they were witnessing the "end of the world".  
  By Islamic historical tradition we are not told that Muhammad was born into the family of Banu Hashim regarded as one of the upper class families of Mecca. However, six months after his birth, Muhammad's father Abdullah died and by cultural tradition he was supposed to have been placed in the care of a Bedouin family for five years until his return to his mother at age six.  
  We are told in the official story of Muhammad that his early life was not particularly eventful, working for a period as a merchant. This is probably accurate on account of his families upper class heritage and likely connections to trading. We are told that he married at the age of 26 and later grew tired of his work as a merchant and spent time back with the Bedouin and even as a Shepherd.  
  Interestingly, it is Muhammad's time in these roles that are emphasized traditionally by Islamic scholars, while his merchant connections and the wealth and education of his family is deliberately played down or not even mentioned.  
  Most importantly, Islamic scholars for almost twelve hundred years have maintained the position that in spite of Muhammad's upper class upbringing, Muhammad was completely illiterate!  
  This is a fundamental and constantly reinforced doctrine of Islam, vehemently defended that Muhammad was completely illiterate, in spite of his experience in trade and later in spite of his natural abilities to command an army, organize government and manage a religious movement all at the same time while we are told his followers, not Muhammad, codified a brand new complete semitic language "Arabic" and then wrote a complete recitation of the teachings of Muhammad in this brand new sophisticated language.  
  It is then at the age of 40 we are told by the story of Muhammad's life during a retreat from the world in a cave in the hills that Muhammad had his first encounter with the ange Gabriel. These revelations are then supposed to have continued for twenty three years later.  
     
     
     

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