possible origins of islam (higher criticism scholars/ history nuts welcome)

[Minimalist]

Check this out.

http://www.searchformecca.com/Mecca%20Question.pdf

While Muslims are adamant that Mecca was the center of the trade route, modern historians give us a different picture. Dr.
Patricia Crone tells us:

“Mecca was a barren place, and barren places do not make natural halts, and
least of all when they are found at a short distance from famously green environments. Why should caravans have made a steep descent to the barren lands of Mecca when they could have stopped at Ta’if?