Islam and the Freedom of Conscience — Page 105
~ 105 ~ George Sale In his English translation of the Holy Quran, the writer George Sale writes with reference to Spanhemius – a staunch opponent of Islam, who said many negative things against the Prophet Muhammad sa – yet Sale writes: ''…for how criminal soever Mohammed may have been in imposing a false religion on mankind, the praises due to his real virtues ought not to be denied him; nor can I do otherwise than applaud the candour of the pious and learned Spanhemius, who, though he owned him to have been a wicked imposter, yet acknowledged him to have been richly furnished with natural endowments, beautiful in his person, of a subtle wit, agreeable behavior, showing liberality to the poor, courtesy to everyone, fortitude against his enemies, and above all a high reverence for the name of God; severe against the perjured, adulterers, murderers, slanderers, prodigals, covetous, false witnesses &c. a great preacher of patience, charity, mercy, beneficence, gratitude, honouring of parents and superiors, and a frequent celebrator of the divine praises. ” 43 43 George Sale. To the Reader. In: The Koran: Commonly called the Alkoran of Mohammed. J. B. Lippincott & Co. , PA. pp. vi‐vii (1860).