Muhammad: Intro. & Ch. 1

Of Creatures & Karim(s)

   Armstrong discusses the Islam belief of a creature known as a djinn (9), who misleads people on their journeys. I know of another supernatural creature called the will-o-the-wisp (a.k.a. the hinkypunk in English folklore). Popularly believed to dwell in bogs, this beast was known for leading lost travelers astray, especially at night. If you saw a light amidst the fog and followed it away from the worn path, you were believed to have been misled by a will-o-the-wisp, which were mischievous creatures that could kill those who followed its light into the bog's depths or off cliffs. I find it interesting that many cultures create similar creatures, some without ever knowing the other's folklore. I wonder: what other mythological creatures the Islamic people believed in?

   I noticed another archetype that is similar between Islam and another culture: the Greeks. Armstrong explains that the word karim translates to "generous hero" (13) and what qualities were considered virtues in a hero to the Bedouins. She describes ideal heroes as having certain qualities, such as pride (14) and generosity (13). Armstrong details that the Bedouins valued loyalty to "blood relatives" and "the tribe" (13). She also states, "Tribal solidarity ('asibiyyah)encouraged bravery and selflessness" (13). I noticed that the heroes she describes are similar to the heroes created in Greek mythology, such as Heracles, who "pit [himself] against overwhelming odds" (15). A "karim was supposed to be proud" (14), but his arrogance could become "reckless and excessive" (15). This reminded me of tragic heroes in Greek myth, who often suffered from the tragic flaw of hubris, such as King Creon in Antigone. Like the ancient myths show us, we can learn what qualities the society valued by what they expected of their heroes.

   My question is this: how did Muhammad grow to have so many followers? Jesus and Confucius were political leaders, searching for support while trying to accomplish a goal. What was Muhammad trying to accomplish (if anything)? Why did he have so many followers? What qualities did Muhammad possess?