The eleven studies collected from various sources aim to provide a representative overview of each literature, drawing close attention to the difficulties Muhammad encountered in Medina by the three prominent Jewish tribes of the time: Banu Qaynuqa, Banu Nadir and Banu Qurayza as Muhammad strived for acceptance. Through exploring the main theme of theology as well as political leadership offers an understanding of different aspects of the relationship between Muhammad and these Jewish tribes. Moreover, the extent Muhammad was influenced by Jewish thought is portrayed within these articles, chapters and dissertation.
In “Constitution of Medina” by Michael Lecker, he describes the Hijra of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in order to escape persecution from his Meccan opponents. In Medina, he came in contact with a thriving Jewish community who were intrigued of his monotheism. Lecker favours Muhammad’s attempt to gain acceptance as a Prophet through the adoption of Jewish features of worship into Islam. Lecker emphasises Muhammad’s incorporation of Friday prayer as a community day of worship, perhaps stimulated by the Jewish tradition of preparing the Sabbath. Additionally, during Muhammad 's first year of the Hijra, he and his followers followed Jerusalem in prayer, which may have …show more content…
Brown discusses the confrontation of Muhammad with the Jews in: “A New Introduction to Islam”. Brown reveals a Jewish poet, Ka’b ibn al-Ashraf, who conveyed vulgar content about Muslim women in his poems, leading to his assassination by Muhammad. Hereafter, Brown explains how the elimination of this poet initiated fear in the heart of the Jews since Muhammad granted his followers permission to kill all Jews. On the contrary, Rose displays a vulnerable image of Muhammad whereas Brown portrays a critical side of him. Nevertheless, Brown alongside Rose, Cook, Zeitlin, Arafat and Watter all reinforce and display Jews as deceitful and discourteous