Miracles were theologically required of any heresiarch in medieval polemic
Evidence
In order to win converts to his cause, a heresiarch needs to perform miracles. Here the four texts depart completely from (deformed) Muslim tradition to portray Muhammad as a trickster and magician who dupes his followers by performing false miracles. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 753 (
#corroborates, via linked claim)
Miracles are not to be sought in their case, because they did not introduce any novelty of law . The Latins agreed with the first Quraysh against whose unbelief the Qur’anic revelations about miracles were directed. — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 422 (
#complicates, via linked claim)
Categorization
- XREF: connects to: Medieval missionaries held that only miracles or reason could convert the infidel; Medieval Christian polemics reinterpreted Islamic miracles as fraudulent tricks — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 1314; Heresiarchs required miracles, so polemicists cast Muhammad as trickster (+3 more)
Broader Connections
- Heresiarchs required miracles, so polemicists cast Muhammad as trickster
#expands(1.00) - Medieval polemic framed Muhammad as a miracle-faking trickster to fit the heresiarch archetype
#corroborates(0.95) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 753 - Medieval Christians and the Quraysh shared skepticism about Muhammad’s miracles
#complicates(0.90) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 422 - Medieval Christian accounts of the Quraysh’s miracle demands tracked Arabic sources closely
#complicates(0.70) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 433