What Did Sebeos Really Say About Islam?

Uncover the enigmatic perspective of a 7th-century chronicler in this AI-generated video, featuring a reading from the Armenian History attributed to Sebeos, specifically his brief yet profound account of Muhammad and the rise of the Ishmaelites.

Sebeos, traditionally identified as an Armenian bishop of the Bagratuni house, is the reputed author of this pivotal historical work, though modern scholars often refer to the anonymous author as Pseudo-Sebeos due to debates over authorship. Likely a member of the Armenian clergy, this chronicler wrote in the mid-7th century, offering one of the earliest non-Muslim accounts of the emergence of Islam and the Arab conquests. His work, preserved in a 1672 manuscript at the Matenadaran in Armenia, remains a cornerstone of early medieval historiography, shedding light on a transformative era in the Middle East.

The Armenian History attributed to Sebeos is a remarkable chronicle that traces the fortunes of Armenia amidst the titanic struggles of the Byzantine and Sasanian empires, culminating in third part that covers the rise of Islam and the Muslim conquests from the 630s to the 660s, concluding with the ascendancy of Mu’awiya.

Unlike many contemporary sources, Sebeos’s narrative stands out for its broad geographical scope, detailing events in Armenia, Byzantium, Persia, and the emerging Islamic world. The section featured in this video focuses on his account of Muhammad, whom he describes as a merchant named “Mahmet” among the Ishmaelites, a biblical term for the descendants of Ishmael, son of Abraham. Sebeos portrays Mahmet as a preacher who united the Arabs under monotheistic teachings, urging them to worship the God of Abraham and seize the land promised to their forefather.

What makes Sebeos’s account so captivating is its peculiar depiction of the Ishmaelites and their leader, which diverges from later Islamic tradition. Writing shortly after 661, possibly based on eyewitness reports from fugitives, Sebeos presents an early Islam that appears fluid and distinct from the codified religion we know today. Intriguingly, he does not use the terms “Islam” or “Muslims,” referring instead to the “Ishmaelites” and “Hagarenes.”

His narrative suggests a surprising alliance between Arabs and Jews, with Muhammad advocating for the Jews’ right to the Holy Land, a detail absent from Islamic sources. This portrayal raises questions about the early development of Islamic identity and its interactions with Jewish and Christian communities during the Arab conquests. Was Sebeos describing a nascent faith still taking shape, or were his sources colored by the chaotic upheavals of his time?

This video brings Sebeos’s words to life, offering a rare glimpse into the 7th-century Middle East, where empires crumbled, and a new faith reshaped the world. By exploring his references to Muhammad and the Ishmaelites, we gain insight into how early Christians perceived the meteoric rise of Islam and navigated the shifting religious and political landscape of late antiquity. The Armenian History remains an essential source for historians, providing a unique non-Muslim perspective on the origins of Islam, the fall of the Sasanian Empire, and the resilience of Armenian identity amidst competing powers.

Join us in this journey through the Armenian History attributed to Sebeos, delving into his mysterious account of Muhammad and the Ishmaelites.