SINCE THE UNDERLYING PURPOSE of the narratives of Islamic origins was to articulate the validity of Muslims’ communal identi ty, it was important to show not only that Muḥammad had been truly a prophet (the function of the nubūwa theme), but also to describe how he had succeeded in establishing the new community, and to demonstrate the continuing persistence of that community from its beginnings. These concerns took the form of three historiographical themes we shall designate umma, cult and administration, and taxation. (Inasmuch as the stories of pre-Islamic prophets are almost inseparable from the stories of their communities, moreover, the theme of Qur'ān-related narratives discussed in the previous chapter might almost equally well be placed in this chapter, among the themes of community, where it would serve as a theme of PREPARATION .)

Umma

The theme we call umma (Arabic for “community“) describes how Mu﹜:tammad founded the original community of Believers in Medina. It thus includes all accounts that trace Mu#x1E25;ammad's interactions with supporters and opponents during his lifetime- what we might call the “political history” or “secular history” of his life. It is a t heme of INCEPTION.

Accounts belonging to the two themes of nubūwa and umma , considered together, generally make up the bulk of literary compilations bearing the title sīra (“course of life“) or maghāzī (“raids“). Alt hough umma accounts usually describe events in the Prophet's life in a way that takes his apostolic mission for granted, the themes of umma and nubiiwa are, as noted above, closely interrelated. It is, therefore, often futile to try to assign a given account exclusively to one theme or the other; we must, rather, see it as embodying both. For example, the concept of prophecy appears to have included the notions that a prophet would gain a following (perhaps from the poor and humble at first), that he would encounter some opposition from his own kinsmen, that he would undergo various trials and persecutions, and that he would eventually establish a righteous community of believers under his leadership. Any account that confirms Muḥammad's position as founder and leader of the new community or umma can, then, also be read as a confirmation of his status as prophet, his nubūwa, at least by implication.