2) What does Aslan mean by, Pre-Islamic Paganism was based on pluralism. How does this effect the rise of Islam as a monotheistic religion?
Pre-Islamic Paganism is best described to be a religious practice practiced by those who lived in the Arabian Peninsula, in which this religion includes a high god or power “Allah”, and a lesser and more accessible powers or gods such as “Allat, al-Uza and Manat”. (Aslan, 7) furthermore, as Aslan mentioned in the chapter, Paganism had some related connections to both Judaism and Christianity. This is illustrated in the fact that Judaism is a monotheistic religion and believes in the existence of one god “Yahweh” which corresponds to the king of gods in Paganism “Allah”. (Aslan, 9-10) In Christianity, the
Pre-Islamic Paganism is best described to be a religious practice practiced by those who lived in the Arabian Peninsula, in which this religion includes a high god or power “Allah”, and a lesser and more accessible powers or gods such as “Allat, al-Uza and Manat”. (Aslan, 7) furthermore, as Aslan mentioned in the chapter, Paganism had some related connections to both Judaism and Christianity. This is illustrated in the fact that Judaism is a monotheistic religion and believes in the existence of one god “Yahweh” which corresponds to the king of gods in Paganism “Allah”. (Aslan, 9-10) In Christianity, the