A Spanish bishop transmitted authentic Islamic sources he barely understood.

Evidence

Yet he seems to have read neither Robert of Ketton’s Koran, nor Petrus Alfonsi, nor any of the other authors I have discussed. Alan was in Catalan Montpelier and may have received this accurate (though random) information either from a Muslim or from someone who had direct contact with Muslims. Yet Alan has no coherent idea as to what Islam is; he attributes to his Muslim adversaries arguments based on the Old Testament. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 879 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Medieval Christian knowledge of Islam served polemics, not understanding — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 267; A medieval polemicist could know Muslim doctrine details yet grasp no coherent Islam — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 879; A papal polemicist misattributed to Muslims a belief he knew they rejected. — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 930

Broader Connections

• A medieval polemicist could know Muslim doctrine details yet grasp no coherent Islam #exemplifies (0.95) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 879