ABSTRACT

For nearly half a century the view has prevailed that Muhamm ad began his mission as a preacher of the Judgment. In the excitement, the terror and anxiety for himself and his people which the idea of the near approach of the Day of Judgment awoke in his soul, has been found the impulse which drove Muhamm ad to the recitation of the Qur'an and the assumption of the rôle of a prophet.