Briefly, Muhammad appeared in the desert of Hijáz in the
Arabian Peninsula, which was a desolate, sterile wilderness, sandy and
uninhabited. Some parts, like Mecca and Medina, are extremely hot; the people
are nomads with the manners and customs of the dwellers in the desert, and are
entirely destitute of education and science. Muhammad Himself was illiterate,
and the Qur’án was originally written upon the bladebones of sheep, or on palm
leaves. These details indicate the condition of the people to whom Muhammad was
sent. The first question which He put to them was, “Why do you not accept the
Pentateuch and the Gospel, and why do you not believe in Christ and in Moses?”
This saying presented difficulties to them, and they argued, “Our forefathers
did not believe in the Pentateuch and the Gospel; tell us, why was this?” He
answered, “They were misled; you ought to reject those who do not believe in
the Pentateuch and the Gospel, even though they are your fathers and your
ancestors.”
In such a country, and amidst such barbarous tribes, an
illiterate Man produced a book in which, in a perfect and eloquent style, He
explained the divine attributes and perfections, the prophethood of the
Messengers of God, the divine laws, and some scientific facts. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Some
Answered Questions’)
