Mohammed, the Prophet of Islam

A product of its time, this early 1910s historical essay offers a Western Christian perspective on the life of the Prophet Muhammad. Hayes traces Muhammad's journey from merchant to religious and political leader, examining the formation of the Islamic community in Medina and the turbulent political landscape of 7th-century Arabia. The work focuses on key events, battles, treaties, and the development of Islamic doctrine, while questioning the ethical foundations of Muhammad's claims to prophetic authority. Hayes particularly critiques the justifications for warfare and polygamy, as well as the treatment of women and non-Muslims within early Islamic society. The book reflects a colonial-era approach to religious history, presenting a critical lens through which early 20th-century Western readers might understand the origins of Islam. While dated and subjective in its ethical judgments, it remains a curiosity for those interested in how early Western scholarship perceived the Prophet and the faith he founded.