Evaluation of the works of orientalist W. Montgomery Watt on Islamic history in terms of reference, methods and interpretation

In this study, the research and evaluations of the well-known orientalist W. Montgomery Watt, who stands out among the orientalists with his moderate approach and scientific method, the context of his works on Islamic History are examined critically. Within the scope of the limits of the study, the first chapter includes Watt's biography and introduces his extensive works in the field. In the second part of the thesis, Watt's views on the existing political, economic and cultural structure of Arabia before the Prophet were analyzed. The third part of the thesis consists of Watt's evaluations of the Prophet's (pbuh) marriages. Watt discusses these marriages in the context of the legal arrangements made for women and the family and states that these developments were a social revolution. Therefore, Watt sees the Prophet (pbuh) as a social reformer and states that great changes took place in Arab customs as a result of his marriages. The last part of our study deals with the Muslims' relations with the Jews. One of Watt's most striking ideas on this subject is his claim that Muslims tried to plan how to get rid of the Jews after they migrated to Medina. Again, Watt is skeptical of the information that the main reason for the sieges and wars against the Jews was their betrayal of the Medinan covenant. However, as a result of comparative readings, it becomes clear that these ideas are nothing more than an assumption and that Islamic historical sources and modern studies say the opposite of Watt's claims. Watt argues that classical Orientalism's perception of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad and their aggressive attitude towards these issues is not a correct approach. In the light of all this information, it can be stated that although Watt is far from a narrative that can be identified with classical orientalism, it cannot be claimed that Watt is completely free from the discourse caused by religious prejudice, but it can be said that Watt follows a more consistent and moderate path compared to other orientalists.