Prophet Muhammad By William Montgomery Watt Analysis

William Montgomery Watt, a historian of Islamic history, in his biography of Prophet Muhammad and many of his other books about Islam has made him highly accredited by Christians and Muslims. Upon reading this book one cannot ignore the pattern that Watt followed which was every topic; every chapter was presented with facts and evidence. Watts followed this pattern knowingly aware of the criticism that awaits him when the book was published.
Early on throughout the reading Watt mentions the Prophets’ struggle to accept his duty as the messenger. “Stories are also told of how Muhammad, in moods of despair, would go walking over the rocky hills and think of flinging himself down a precipitous crag, and how he would then see an angel who reminded …show more content…
When describing the Arabic word hijrah as which means ‘emigration’ he provides a clear definition as well as a mention of previous Islamic writers who claimed the Hijrah began the first day of the year. With every topic provided in this book there seems to be three descriptions which are the definition, other sources, and the result. The evidence he uses to prove his point in the example used earlier is simple math. Islamic dates are calculated and have twelve lunar months which are equivalent to 354 days. One could not, and should not form an opinion based on reading one book. Being convinced of an idea or statement should only come after one broadens his research past one book, or even one author.
Watts’ structured his arguments all throughout the book. The book seemed to be leaning towards the nature of providing evidence of The Prophet and how he came to be rather than telling a story of the founder of Islam. The chapters all seem to provide evidence as well as providing a narrative structure except the last chapter titled ‘Assessment’. Watt dedicated a few pages to providing the reader with a description on how his sources came to be. When describing Muhammad’s appearance he mentions where the facts he states came from by saying “according to some apparently authentic …show more content…
Whether it was the description of his broad shoulders or his large black eyes with a touch of brown, it gave a clearer description to a reader who knew so little about the religion or The Prophet. Recommending this book to readers who look to widen their knowledge and decrease their ignorance on the subject of The Prophet. This book being solely used as a source for one to claim they know of Islam is not enough. The historical perspective of Muhammad this book provides addresses the religious paths and his political rise throughout the land of Arabia. Most questions that were raised while reading this book were answered in the next paragraph, as if Watts’ has predicted almost every doubt and every possible