The Quran, seemingly like no other book of the word of God, seems to delve deeply into questioning itself and raises the arguments of others against it. Aslan does a fine job of outlining the vast amount of pulling and pushing factors on one man, let alone the founding prophet of a religion.

There are certain aspects of most prophets that are shaped by their times. It is this interpretation through time, the author says, which also darkens the Quran. For example, statements that now are interpreted as directed at Jews are, Aslan says, directed only at the Quraysh, the ruling business elite who were the "Keepers of the Keys" in the holy city of Mecca, a site for Jews, Christian and many pagan religions.

It was and is in Mecca where the black stone, or Ka'ba sits. It's a place that was deliberately set up as the holy site for a wide number of religions, many pagan or polytheist.

In 628 Muhammad came back to conquer Mecca in an almost bloodless return from exile. When he entered the sanctuary of the Ka'ba "he carried the idols out before the assembled crowd and raising them over his head, smashed them to the ground ... all that is except for the one of Jesus and his mother, Mary. This image the Prophet put his hands over reverently, saying, 'Wash out all except what is beneath my hands.' " (pg. 106)

Truly, Muhammad fought against and seriously threatened Mecca more than anybody since.

In satisfying but not overwhelming detail the author describes the history of Muhammad's antagonist mental and physical battles toward Mecca and the Quraysh whose leaders tried to kill him many times over a period of six or seven years.

As he received his vision, Muhammad first described a change of priorities in life which called for a radical shift of power away from that ruling class that had formed in Mecca. Most religions at their root seem to be a way toward economic justice. None preach the idolization of money. Islam is no different. Muhammad's first pronouncements were against slavery and the poor treatment of the weak and orphans. He himself was an orphan.

His wife and uncle, who is his benefactor and protector in the society around Mecca, die in fairly quick succession. Muhammad, who has by this time started to develop a small following in the city, no longer has the cover of a rich uncle in the higher classes of the society. As a result he suffers the assault of slings and arrows — or at least dirt, blood and a sheep's uterus.