This work on the life of Muhammad and the origins of Islam are intended as a tool to help western and other readers to gain a fuller understanding of Muslim beliefs. This book gives background information and explains illusions that may puzzle readers unfamiliar with the culture of Islam. The book discusses the ideas and expressions that are specific to Muslim thinking and notes the main variants in interpretation of Qur'anic texts. This work although based on the Arberry translation of the Qur'an, can be used with any other translation or with the original text. Professor Watt’s notes are based on Islamic sources and offer clarification for the general reader and fo all scholars of Islam. Montgomery Watt has also written The Faith and Practice of Al Ghaz'ali .