hich Muhammad had set out to do: unification of all peoplesregardless of religionunder one rule, a rule that recognized Muhammads prophethood and the role of Islam. This final unification required, on a smaller level, the utilization of another technique successfully employed by almost all leaders: reneging on a previous statement (for lack of a better phrase) to keep everyone happy. There were occasions when Muhammad realized that something he had said or done was stirring up hostile feelings, and was giving some people reservations about Muhammads infallibility, or compromised the religious beliefs of his new religion. These incidents include, but arent excluded to, the Satanic verses and the raid at the valley of Nakhlah. Muhammad re-interpreted some verses he had stated during one of his revelations that seemed to give credence to polytheism. This he did after receiving another revelation that he had been affected by the devil and that worshipping more than one god was not the will of Allah. Therefore, Muhammad recanted his previous statement and changed what he had previously said. The second incident was when Muhammad ordered a group of raiders to attack a caravan during the holy month of Rajab. When the raiders returned many of Muhammads followers made clear that they felt passionate about the sacred months; [and that] they were not prepared to abandon this religious value (Muhammad, 171). Seeing the brooding discontent, Muhammad repudiated the raid and refused to accept any booty (Muhammad, 171). Both incidents give accreditation to Muhammad as a leader. If he could remedy a situation that might compromise his religion or prove incorrect one of his decisions, he did just that. He was not willing to allow his religious views or his goals of unification be a source of malcontent that would repel people from him or Islam. As the Buddha set out to teach his path to enlightenment, he also was questioned as to the legitima...
