Remarkable set of two classics on the life of Muhammad, a complete set. Ad 1 delves into the life of Muhammad, focusing primarily on the initial stage of his public mission. This work encompasses his time in Mecca up until his pivotal journey to Medina, known as the hijra. Its author, William Montgomery Watt was one of the most renowned non-Muslim scholars specializing in Islamic studies, often called "the last orientalist". Building upon the foundation laid by Muhammad at Mecca, Watt continued his exploration in his subsequent 1956 publication, Muhammad at Medina (ad 2), serving as a continuation of the narrative. Subsequently, a condensed version of these two volumes was published under the title Muhammad Prophet and Statesman in 1961, appealing to a wider readership. Collectively, these two academic volumes constitute "a narrative chronicling the journey of Muhammad's life and the genesis of the Islamic society", focusing particularly on his time in Medina. In the introductory remarks of the 1955 edition, Watt additionally acknowledges that his fourth and fifth chapters, titled "The unifying of the Arabs" and "The internal politics of Medina," represent a groundbreaking endeavor, necessitating a more extensive treatment. This endeavor stems from his meticulous analysis of early Arabic sources and an extensive reservoir of scholarly discourse. Watt introduces a fresh vantage point to these materials, embarking on an exploration of numerous queries that had scarcely been raised previously.
William Montgomery Watt (1909-2006), was a distinguished Scottish scholar. He made his mark as an Orientalist, historian, scholar, and Anglican priest. Watt's seminal works, the present two volumes, have earned their status as timeless masterpieces in the field, particularly his comprehensive biographical exploration of the prophet Muhammad.
The dust jackets show signs of wear (some tears and browning to the spine), the edges of both works are somewhat foxed. Internally fine and clean. Overall in very good condition. Ad 1: WorldCat 836885639; ad 2: WorldCat 928119292.