Islam and the Freedom of Conscience — Page 110
~ 110 ~ exercised the greatest influence upon the human race. . . Mohammed, by Europeans surnamed “the Impostor…Mohammed possessed that combination of qualities which more than once decided the fate of empires. A preaching soldier, he was eloquent in the pulpit [when delivering speeches], valiant in the field. His theology was simple: ‘There is but one God. ’ [That the sum total of the religion is that God is One. ]…Asserting that everlasting truth, he did not engage in vain metaphysics, but applied himself to improving the social condition of his people by regulations respecting personal cleanliness, sobriety, fasting, prayer. Before all other works he esteemed almsgiving and charity. '' 50 William Montgomery Watt A famous Orientalist, William Montgomery Watt, wrote in his book, Muhammad at Madina : ''The more one reflects on the history of Muhammad and of early Islam, the more one is amazed at the vastness of his achievement. Circumstances presented him with an opportunity such as few men have had, but the man was 50 John William Draper, M. D. , L. L. D. A History of the Intellectual Development of Europe. Harper and Brothers Publishers. , NY. P. 244 (1863)