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The tribes around the Muslims began to convert to Islam out of self-preservation. Those that didn’t were gradually defeated in battle in a pattern that became the blueprint for the successful establishment of Islam as a world religion. Typically, the enemy’s trust would be gained by non-intrusive measures in which the Muslims would insert themselves into the foreign community while professing their respect for local traditions and political structures. As they began to gain power, however, they would divide loyalties and exercise violence to acquire local hegemony.

The tribes around the Muslims began to convert to Islam out of self-preservation. Those that didn’t were gradually defeated in battle in a pattern that became the blueprint for the successful establishment of Islam as a world religion. Typically, the enemy’s trust would be gained by non-intrusive measures in which the Muslims would insert themselves into the foreign community while professing their respect for local traditions and political structures. As they began to gain power, however, they would divide loyalties and exercise violence to acquire local hegemony.

This is demonstrated most plainly by the brutal conquest of the people of Khaybar, a peaceful farming community that was not at war with the Muslims. Muhammad marched against them anyway, taking them by surprise and easily defeating them. He had many of the men killed, simply for defending their town, and enslaved the women and children.

This is demonstrated most plainly by the conquest of the people of Khaybar, a farming community near Medina that was made up of several Jewish tribes.  Among them was the Banu Nadir tribe, which had fled to Khaybar from their original home in Medina after allying themselves with Muhammed's opponents.   Muhammad, convinced that the Banu Nadir were still plotting against him, marched against Khaybar, taking the town by surprise and easily defeating it. He then had the men of the Banu Nadir killed, and enslaved the women and children.  The rest of the inhabitants of Khaybar were forced to pay tribute.

Muhammad's personal life became the picture of hedonism and excess, all justified by frequent “revelations.”

Muhammad's personal life became the picture of hedonism and excess, all justified by frequent “revelations.”