Ask the Author: F.W. Burleigh
Answered Questions (3)
F.W. Burleigh
Sorry, I don't have any idea about the graphic novel industry, but I am certain if you are able to come up with publishable work you will find a publisher.
F.W. Burleigh
Hi Carrie-Anne: It's not immediately evident, but when you know what to look for in the literature it stands out. In the canonical literature, these events are interpreted as visitations by angelic-beings or as spiritual/supernatural experiences. I quoted some original source material extensively in the chapter notes that show how these events were given a mythologized spin. On pages 486-487 there are lengthy excerpts from the original literature.
What was helpful for me in understanding this was a book by a Turkish neuropsychologist Deke Korkut (a Christian now living in the United States). He studied the literature too and saw a pattern consistent with temporal lobe epilepsy, which has been noted by other writers such as Ali Sina, and by neurologist Frank R. Freemon, who published an analysis of the such episodes as presented in the literature and reached a "tentative" conclusion that Muhammad suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy.
A key piece of evidence is when Muhammad had his "cave" experience where the Angel Gabriel brings him the first verses of the Koran. At one point he is glued in place but can still turn his head, and no matter which direction he turns he still sees the angel. Dede Korkut writes that this indicates the vision is an internal hallucinatory event, because if the angel were an objective object, it would not be in his range of vision when he turned his head away. Another significant detail is that the angel wiped the saliva off his cheeks. People with seizures often froth at the mouth.
As far as the obsessive-compulsive disorder, that is in part a deduction based on Muhammad's practice of extremely elaborate and unnatural rituals that had to be performed with precision to have any value. Other writers have noted the same.
I appreciate your questions and also that you are taking the time to give the book a thoughtful read.
Frank
What was helpful for me in understanding this was a book by a Turkish neuropsychologist Deke Korkut (a Christian now living in the United States). He studied the literature too and saw a pattern consistent with temporal lobe epilepsy, which has been noted by other writers such as Ali Sina, and by neurologist Frank R. Freemon, who published an analysis of the such episodes as presented in the literature and reached a "tentative" conclusion that Muhammad suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy.
A key piece of evidence is when Muhammad had his "cave" experience where the Angel Gabriel brings him the first verses of the Koran. At one point he is glued in place but can still turn his head, and no matter which direction he turns he still sees the angel. Dede Korkut writes that this indicates the vision is an internal hallucinatory event, because if the angel were an objective object, it would not be in his range of vision when he turned his head away. Another significant detail is that the angel wiped the saliva off his cheeks. People with seizures often froth at the mouth.
As far as the obsessive-compulsive disorder, that is in part a deduction based on Muhammad's practice of extremely elaborate and unnatural rituals that had to be performed with precision to have any value. Other writers have noted the same.
I appreciate your questions and also that you are taking the time to give the book a thoughtful read.
Frank
F.W. Burleigh
Hi Frederick. I'm glad you are enjoying the book. The Portland address is the mailing address for Zenga Books. I've been through Portland several times and stayed there a couple of times on business. Beautiful town and I love the river.
Frank.
If you like I'd be happy to have a conversation with you about the book.
Frank.
If you like I'd be happy to have a conversation with you about the book.
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