‘Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness is measured, we may ask, is there any man greater than he?’ – Lamartine, History of Turkey

It is only lately that Western scholars have embarked on serious objective study of the life of the Prophet of Islam. In studying his life, certai...