Some twelfth-century Christians knew Muslims do not worship Muhammad as a god

Evidence

THERE is a widespread impression to-day that the general mediaeval belief was that Muslims were idolators. This is probably because most people know the Middle Ages best in its literature, and, although this was emphatically not the belief of educated men, there was indeed a literary convention to that effect. The derivation of the English word ‘mommet’ is well known, and the poets are full of the Saracens’ worship of idols, Mahomet, Tervagan, Apolin and Jupiter. — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 1752 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Muhammad’s claim to be no more than the messenger of God is implicit in the words used by a wide variety of authors. Propheta (with pseudopropheta) was the word most often used, but words which more nearly translated rasul than nabi were also used — messenger or envoy (nuntius) and apostle (apostolus). Combined phrases are found, propheta vel nuntius or propheta Dei et nuntius. — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 116 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Medieval Christians knew Muslims revered Muhammad as a prophet, not a god; Medieval Christians refused Muslim sources for knowledge of Muhammad as untrustworthy. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 524; Medieval Christian polemicists refused Muslim sources on Muhammad’s life on principle (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Medieval Christians usually called Muhammad a prophet or pseudoprophet, not a god. #corroborates (0.95) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 116
• Educated medieval people knew Muslims were not idolaters despite literary convention #corroborates (0.95) — Norman Daniel, Islam and the West, 1752