The Year of the Arabs: Part 2 Muawiya's inscription and coins with Prof. Robert Kerr

Unlike Umar's inscriptions, Mu'awiya's inscriptions appear to be authentic, but surprisingly they lack anything that could be termed Islamic. Coupled with his coins, we get the impression he is at least sympathetic to Christianity: his coins carry an image of a cross. A reference to Mahmad on these coins in conjunction with a cross throw up questions, but Prof. Kerr argues that we must not read the later tradition into these but view them on their own terms. He goes onto to explain the use of Mahmad in the Bible and its link to the messiah and its significance at a time of great apocalyptic expectations. It is easy to see how various renderings of Muhammad: Machometus, Mehmed and Mahomet could directly from Mahmad, and not from Muhammad indicating that Muhammad is an Islamised version of Mahmad that hides its former link to the Messianic expectations as Islam grapples with the disappointment of the non-arrival of the Apocalypse.

The Sirah of Muhammad, a hagiography rather than a biography, suspciously mirrors Heraclius' story, especially his crushing defeat of the Sasanians in Anatolia. Key locations such as Dara, site of a 6th century battle of the Trench, provide inspiration for Medina's fantasy Battle of the Trench. Arabs sat on the sidelines while the East Romans duked it out with the Sasanians, then coming up from Eastern Arabia in 628, the Arabs won a series of battles during the chaotic inter-regnum of the Persians.

While some viewed the Year of the Arabs as beginning in 618, it is clear that others viewed 622 as the key turning point for the Arabs on account of Heraclius. Anno Hijra, however, has nothing to do with a supposed exile of Muhammad but more to do with Heraclius departure from Constantinople. Ultimately, it is one of many synonyms for the "Year of the Arabs".

To learn more, go to Prof. Robert Kerr's Academia page, where you can access his papers and examine his citations: https://iuni-saarland.academia.edu/Ro...