Llull claimed learned Muslims privately doubted Muhammad’s prophecy

Evidence

The two sticking points are the Incarnation and the Trinity, which the Saracens misunderstand (they believe, he says, that we worship three gods). The preacher must patiently explain these two key doctrines, proving the Trinity through forceful reasons [cogentes rationes], against which no man can argue the contrary. I already wrote these reasons for you and I declared them in my many books in Arabic and Latin, which confirm that one should believe in the Blessed Trinity. And among those Saracens who are most learned, few believe in Muhammad (since they well know that this man was a sinner and that in their law he placed many ridiculous things). And thus some learned Arabs are Christians—among which I could number myself. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1332 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

The preacher must patiently explain these two key doctrines, proving the Trinity through forceful reasons [cogentes rationes], against which no man can argue the contrary. I already wrote these reasons for you and I declared them in my many books in Arabic and Latin, which confirm that one should believe in the Blessed Trinity. And among those Saracens who are most learned, few believe in Muhammad (since they well know that this man was a sinner and that in their law he placed many ridiculous things). And thus some learned Arabs are Christians—among which I could number myself. Once the better Saracens are converted the lesser ones can be converted by the better ones. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1332 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Llull claimed learned Saracens secretly doubted Muhammad’s prophethood. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1332; Medieval polemic assumed learned Muslims secretly doubted Muhammad’s prophecy — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1332; Llull imagined learned Muslims already doubted Muhammad’s prophethood, ripe for conversion. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1279 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Llull claimed learned Saracens secretly doubted Muhammad’s prophethood. #corroborates (1.00) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1332
• Medieval polemic assumed learned Muslims secretly doubted Muhammad’s prophecy #expands (0.92) — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1332