SOURCE: "The Text and Its Content," in John of Damascus on Islam: The 'Heresy of the Ishmaelites,' E. J. Brill, 1972, pp. 67-95.

In the following essay, Sahas examines John of Damascus's criticisms of Islam as an idolatrous and superstitious heresy, and contends that he had an extensive knowledge of early Islamic theology.

It is important to study closely what John of Damascus had to report and remark on Islam. It is only then that one can draw a picture of his knowledge and his evaluation of Islam.¹

1. "There is also the deceptive superstition of the Ishmaelites, prevailing until now …" (764A)

This opening sentence indicates clearly that other heresies have preceeded ("there is also …"), and it suggests, perhaps, that this chapter concludes a list of heresies² which, by this section, has been brought up to date ("which prevails until now …").

2. Islam is introduced as a "deceptive superstition of...