William Montgomery Watt
A Scottish historian of Islam whose academic work shaped modern Western scholarship on the Prophet Muhammad and early Islamic history.
About Him
What he said about Islam
On Prophet Muhammad's Integrity
"His readiness to undergo persecution for his beliefs, the high moral character of the men who believed in him and looked up to him as a leader, and the greatness of his ultimate achievement - all argue his fundamental integrity. To suppose Muhammad an impostor raises more problems that it solves. Moreover, none of the great figures of history is so poorly appreciated in the West as Muhammad. Thus, not merely must we credit Muhammad with essential honesty and integrity of purpose, if we are to understand him at all; if we are to correct the errors we have inherited from the past, we must not forget the conclusive proof is a much stricter requirement than a show of plausibility, and in a matter such as this only to be attained with difficulty."
On the Western misunderstanding of Islam
"Of all the world's great men none has been so much maligned as Muhammad."
What is Islam?
Watt writes about Islam's theological foundation and moral seriousness. One representative passage: "Islam is not merely a set of doctrines but a way of life."
On Islamic Philosophy and Theology
Watt emphasizes the intellectual depth of Islamic theology, noting: "The Muslim theologians were concerned to give a rational account of their faith."
On Islam and Christianity
Here he stresses interfaith understanding: "Christians and Muslims have much to learn from one another."
Context
Montgomery Watt did not approach Islam as a Muslim theologian, but as a historian working within Western academic tradition. His conclusions about the Prophet's sincerity were significant because they challenged earlier Orientalist narratives that portrayed Muhammad as politically motivated or insincere. While some Muslim scholars appreciated his fairness, others critiqued certain theological assumptions in his work. Nonetheless, his research remains a foundational reference in modern Islamic studies.