The author lived in western Africa as a Christian missionary and intends this study as a tool of conversion. The study is divided into three books. The first book describes the historical context in which Mohammed lived and the important accomplishments of his life. In Book II, Koelle argues that Muslim authors plagiarized the story of Christ when writing about Mohammed. The book details the parallel storylines and symbolism. Chapter II of Book II contains filtered descriptions of Mohammed's physical aspects and personal habits as described by Muslim writers (his dress, his physical qualities, his miracles, his habits as to sneezing and yawning, etc). Book III is a Christianity-based assessment of "the real nature of the position occupied by Mohammedanism ..."

Kecia Ali delves into the many ways the Prophet’s life story has been told from the earliest days of Islam to the present, by both Muslims and non-Muslims. Emphasizing the major transformations since the nineteenth century, she shows that far from being mutually opposed, these various perspectives have become increasingly interdependent.

The author of this instructive volume is in the direct line of missionary pioneers to the Moslem world. He follows Raymond Lull, Henry Martyn, Ion Keith-Falconer, and Bishop French, and, with his friend and comrade the Rev. James Cantine, now stands in the shining line of succession at the close of a decade of patient and brave service at that lonely outpost on the shores of the Persian Gulf. Others have followed in their footsteps, until the Arabian Mission, the adopted child of the Reformed Church in America, is at present a compact and resolute group of men and women at the gates of Arabia, waiting on God's will, and intent first of all upon fulfilling in the spirit of obedience to the Master the duty assigned them.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1874.