ABSTRACT
Meccan merchants who had an interest in ensuring their annual markets should be heavily patronised made sure that their guests lacked nothing. This last-mentioned position remained in existence in Islam under the supervision of the same 'Abbāsid family who had overseen it in pre-Islamic times, while the distribution of food was done from that time on in the name of the caliphs. It is certain, however, that Muhammad, even if he had intended to maintain those feasts as market and trading meetings, completely obliterated all local rituals, except in Mecca and its immediate surroundings. Muhammad was therefore left with two options: either to become Jewish himself; or to separate Islam from Judaism. The beginning of the split between Judaism and Islam was precipitated by the Prophet's demand, aimed at the Jews, to return to the milla of Ibrāhīm.
