A Jewish scholar of Islam came to consider Islam more philosophically satisfying than Judaism

Evidence

In 1890 he wrote of his stay in Damascus: “I truly entered in those weeks into the spirit of Islam to such an extent that ultimately I became inwardly convinced that I myself was Muslim and judiciously discovered that this was the only religion which, even in its doctrinal and official formulation, can satisfy philosophical minds.” But never far from his scholarly and personal appraisal of Islam was his critical view of Judaism: “My ideal was to elevate Judaism to a similar rational level.” — Ivan Davidson Kalmar, Derek Penslar, Orientalism and the Jews, 373 (#expands, via linked claim)

Goldziher was deeply moved by his encounter with the Arabs, achieving a level of affinity with Islamic culture that went beyond the mere academic, as had been the case with Geiger and Graetz. And it certainly outstripped the “one-sided rationalism of Christian scholars who, while safeguarding the sacrosanct character of their own Scriptures and beliefs, subject those of Muslims to rigorous and even captious criticism.” Instead, Goldziher’s scholarship displayed an unparalleled degree of compassion, respect, and admiration for the Muslim world. In 1890 he wrote of his stay in Damascus: “I truly entered in those weeks into the spirit of Islam to such an extent that ultimately I became inwardly convinced that I myself was Muslim and judiciously discovered that this was the only religion which, even in its doctrinal and official formulation, can satisfy philosophical minds.” But never far from his scholarly and personal appraisal of Islam was his critical view of Judaism: “My ideal was to elevate Judaism to a similar rational level.” This ideal remained because he saw in Islam a purity and essence—religious characteristics so valued by Jews dedicated to a reformist agenda—that to his mind, was closest to prophetic Judaism. — Ivan Davidson Kalmar, Derek Penslar, Orientalism and the Jews, 401 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Jewish religious literacy made Islam intuitively legible to Jewish orientalists; A Jewish orientalist admired Islam as rationally superior while still seeking to reform Judaism — Ivan Davidson Kalmar, Derek Penslar, Orientalism and the Jews, 401; A pioneering Jewish orientalist embraced Islam while remaining an observant Jew (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Goldziher felt inwardly Muslim yet sought to raise Judaism to Islam’s rational level. #expands (0.97) — Ivan Davidson Kalmar, Derek Penslar, Orientalism and the Jews, 373
• A Jewish orientalist admired Islam as rationally superior while still seeking to reform Judaism #corroborates (0.95) — Ivan Davidson Kalmar, Derek Penslar, Orientalism and the Jews, 401