@SOULSEARCHING the answers u r getting is 'dogma' from Islam. Not science. Archaelogy and manuscripts say something different about Islam. They weren't even allow scientists to carbon test the kaaba, these people are in fear that science won't verify their religion.
In-fact it is well known that mohamed before recieving revelation was well learned in judaism-christianity and travelled to those regions as a trader, he definitely listened and learned about their faith in the market place and that is why when u see the quran recollect stories it is 'paraphrased' indicating he was recalling from memory and not copying a book.
If I were you rather then just believing u need to test what u believe by also reading the other side of Islam in the eyes of historical records from christians and jews who encountered these early muslims and describe them as vicious raiders and killers.