Prophet Muhammed studies in 19th century German orientalism - the example of A. Sprenger

The 19th century is a period in history that witnessed numerous changes in terms of politics and civilization. Orientalist studies, particularly German Orientalism, evolved in various directions during this period, influenced both politically and by the domestic and international academic community. The ideas and works that emerged as a result of these transformations either reinforced or generally negatively influenced Europe's perception of the Islamic religion and, specifically, the portrayal of Prophet Muhammed. Furthermore, the conclusions and ideas that emerged from these studies significantly impacted Eastern societies, particularly the Islamic world, in accordance with the interaction between politics and science of the time. Among the many works written in this field, there are works by Aloys Sprenger, representing the typical 19th century German Orientalism, which facilitated this interaction and had a lasting impact on the perception of Prophet Muhammad both academically and within society. This study will thoroughly examine the 19th-century German Orientalism and the portrayal of Prophet Muhammed, using Sprenger as an example. Keywords: Hz. Muhammed, 19th century, German Orientalism, Aloys Sprenger