From the time of the Crusades to the present day, the relationship between Islam and the West has been one of conflict and misunderstanding. The prejudices conceived over a thousand years ago have survived the break-up of western Christianity into Catholic and Protestant, the growth of atheism, and the rise of the multifaith community; they continue, despite today's increased mutual understanding, to permeate European attitudes towards Islam. This classic study by Norman Daniel explores the political and religious considerations behind distorted western views of Islam, examining Christian-Muslim interaction from medieval times to the modern world, and covering such key topics as: revelation, prophethood and incarnation; the life of Muhammad; the authenticity of the Qur'an; western views of violence, morality and religious practice in Islam. First published over 30 years ago, the message within this great scholarly achievement is more relevant today than ever before. This timeless and accessible book should be of interest to students and for anyone wishing to gain a deeper insight into the complex relations between two of the world's greatest religions.