Chapter Interpretations of The Koran - Study Guide by Islam

was chosen as the site of the Islamic sanctuary only later, in order to relocate the early Muslim history within Arabia, and so give Islam a wholly Arabic identity in an attempt to break with Judaism. As regards the Koran, they see a lack in overall structure, frequently obscure language and content, repetition and perfunctory links of disparate material, and this as evidence that the document is the "product of the belated and imperfect editing of materials from a plurality of traditions". In a detailed analysis of the Koran they attempt to show an assimilation of Rabbinic Judaism, with Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Hellenism and Neoplatonism. They also see a pronounced Samaritan influence. The unity of God and his absolute holiness and righteousness is a constant theme in Samaritan thinking, and Cook and Crone draw a parallel between the Muslim "There is no God but Allah!" and the ever recurring refrain in Samaritan liturgies "There is no God but the one!".