Bede's the Poet Caedmon and the Influence of Islam

الملخص

Bede is one of the English literary writers whose works show
Oriental and Islamic elements. This aspect in Bede's writings has
been completely ignored by Western scholars who intentionally deny
any Islamic influence not only on Bede but on other Western writers
though there is possibility that his writings reveal many Oriental and
Islamic thematic analogies.
After reading Bede's works we find many irrefutable evidence
of his unacknowledged interest in the Islamic and Oriental scientific
heritage. The impact of the Orient on Bede's works is apparent and
clearly reflected in his poem The Poet Caedmon which is an
imitation to the story of Prophet Mohammad (peace upon him) and
the descend of Al- Wahi.
A brief comparison between the two stories provides us with
evidence that the latter story probably was based on the former. This
fact is undeniable since the analogies between the two are striking.
One of these analogies is that both stories are religious and their main
subjects are the revelation of religions: Caedmon's main idea is the
appearance of Christianity and its development, while the story of AlWahi is also a religious one and deals with the appearance of Islam
and its development.
Another obvious analogy is both Prophet Mohammad's (peace
be upon him) and Caedmon's religious missions are conveyed
through an ordinary person in Caedmon and Al-Wahi in story of
Mohammed.