1.3.1 Prophethood
Imagine yourself in Makkah in the year 610 AD. The society is in utter ignorance; Idol worship and immorality is widespread. Arabia is HEAVILY tribal, such that the people base their pride off of their tribe.
This chapter mainly concerns the historicity of The Prophet, his miracles, character and testimony to those things.
If any rational person were to ponder upon the prophethood of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, they would come to the conclusion that he was indeed a prophet and messenger sent from God.
The people at the time of Muhammad, even those who were not Muslim, testified to the truthfulness of Muhammad, even calling him "Al-Amin" (The Truthful/Trustworthy One).
Many non-Muslim scholars and historians have concluded that Muhammad was at least sincere and not a deliberate liar. Here are some statements from them:
W. Montgomery Watt states:
His readiness to undergo persecutions for his beliefs, the high moral character of the men who believed in him and looked up to him as leader, and the greatness of his ultimate achievement - all argue his fundamental integrity. To suppose Muhammad an impostor raises more problems than it solves. Moreover, none of the great figures of history is so poorly appreciated in the West as Muhammad. (W. Montgomery Watt, Mohammad at Mecca, Oxford 1953, p. 52)
Sir William Muir said:
It is strongly corroborative of Mahomet's sincerity that the earliest converts to Islam were not only of upright character, but his own bosom friends and people of his household; who, intimately acquainted with his private life, could not fail otherwise to have detected those discrepancies which ever more or less exist between the professions of the hypocritical deceiver abroad and his actions at home. (Sir William Muir, The Life of Mahomet, page 54)
And:
I agree with Sprenger in considering 'the faith of Abu Bakr the greatest guarantee of the sincerity of Mohammed in the beginning of his career' - and, indeed, in a modified sense, throughout his life. (Ibid., page 56)
J.W.H. Stobart said:
Abu Bakr was a man of the purest character. His friendship for Mahomet, and unwavering belief in his mission, are a strong testimony to the sincerity of the prophet. (J.W.H. Stobart, Islam and its Founder, page 209)
Tor Andrae said:
The genuineness and sincerity of Mohammed's piety, and the honesty of his belief in his religious call, are indisputable. (Tor Andrae, Mohammed: The Man and his Faith, page 185)
John Gilchrist said:
We can safely reject the view that Muhammad was a deliberate impostor. Throughout the twenty-three year period of his assumed ministry, he held to the unflinching conviction that he was called to be a prophet and that the revelations he was receiving were coming to him from above. (John Gilchrist, Muhammad and The Religion of Islam, Chapter: A Study of Muhammad's Personality: An Assessment of His Personality)
Arthur Glyn Leonard said:
If ever a man on this earth found God, if ever a man devoted his life to God's service with a good and great motive, it is certain that the Prophet of Arabia (Muhammad) is the man. Muhammad was not only the greatest but truest man that humanity has ever produced. (Arthur Glyn Leonard, Islam, her moral and spiritual value: A Rational and Psychological Study, pages 18-19)
Taken from https://www.call-to-monotheism.com/does_the_quran_plagiarize_from_the_infancy_gospel_of_thomas_
What causes even the non-Muslim academics to testify to the sincerity of the prophet?
First, we are going to look at the message he came with.