Meccan Trade and the Rise of Islam

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Challenging the long-held belief that Mecca was a prosperous trading hub for aromatic spices, Patricia Crone presents a critical analysis of historical accounts regarding the trade routes of pre-Islamic Arabia. She argues that the evidence supporting this notion is based on outdated sources and that Muslim texts do not reference such trade. Additionally, Crone explores the religious significance of Mecca before Islam and emphasizes the importance of reevaluating historical sources to better understand the emergence of the new religion in the region.