may betray a certain anxiety to rule out
any foreign (or Persian) influence.
[ 15 ]Perhaps these Manicheans disputed
with other Christian groups about the
crucifixion, since the Koran presents its
denial of the crucifixion as the
clarification of a disputed topic: ‘‘And
because of their saying: We slew the
Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah’s
messenger — they slew him not nor
crucified him, but it appeared so unto
them; and lo! those who disagree
concerning it are in doubt thereof; they
have no knowledge thereof save pursuit
of a conjecture; they slew him not for
certain’’ (Sura 4:157).
[ 16 ]‘‘ ‘O people of the Book! Do ye
disapprove of us for no other reason
than that we believe in Allah, and the
