Stephen of Alexandria writes of an Arab merchant around the year 630 CE:
'In the desert of Ethrib there had appeared a certain man from the so-called tribe of Quraysh of the genealogy of Ishamel whose name was Muhammad and who said he was a Prophet.
He appeared in the month of Pharmuti, which is called April by the Romans, of the 932nd year from the beginning of Philip. He has brought a new expression and a strange teaching, promising to those who accept him victories in wars, domination over enemies and delights in paradise.'
Source: De Stephano Alexandrino, Horoscope (21 edition, Hermann Usener, Bonn: 1880).
By Ethrib he means Yathrib (or what was later called Madina), the 932nd year of Philip corresponds to the year 620 CE. This Arab merchant does not know about Muslim beliefs, but knows enough details that correspond to the core historical beliefs of Muslims:
1. That Muhammad peace be upon him was a Prophet.
2. That he migrated to Madinah.
3. That there were wars since the migration.
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