Jean-pierre Isbouts

From Moses to Muhammad: the Shared Origins of Judaism, Christianity and Islam Jean-pierre Isbouts Illustrated, Ill edition

"From Moses to Muhammad" by historian Jean-Pierre Isbouts (author of National Geographic's bestseller "The Biblical World") explores the shared origins of Judaism, Christianity and Islam through the unique prism of both the Bible and the Koran (or Qur'an). In doing so, the book identifies striking parallels, producing a narrative that, in the words of Rabbi Peter Rubinstein, "is especially refreshing in our religiously charged times".

"From Moses to Muhammad" positions the literary and cultural origins of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in the context of the Babylonian, Egyptian, Greco-Roman and pre-Islamic civilizations. Among others, the author describes the use of Mesopotamian literary motifs by the Torah; the adoption of Greco-Roman iconography, as well as the Roman basilica form, by early Christianity; and the retention of pre-Islamic practices by early Islam, such as the circumambulation around the Ka'bah, the holy shrine in Mecca. In addition, Dr. Isbouts compares a number of narratives that all three traditions have in common, including the stories of Abraham, Joseph and Moses; and in the case of the Qur'an, the narratives about Jesus and his mother, Mary. What's more, this second edition includes 135 maps, photographs and archaeological objects photographed throughout the Middle East.