Johann Wolfgang von Goethe on Islam..
“Stupid that everyone in his case Is praising his particular opinion! If Islam means submission to God, We all live and die in Islam.” (West-East Divan) Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer and polymath, and is considered to be at the pinnacle of the German Enlightenment. As a writer, Goethe is in many ways the Shakespeare of Germany — yet Goethe's influence and work goes beyond literature and into the world of philosophy, culture, science, and many other areas of learning. Through his life, Goethe harbored a deep fascination for Islam and its rich literary and philosophical traditions. His engagement with Islam was not merely superficial. Goethe's work displays a profound love and respect for Islam, and this is reflected in his literary works, personal writings, and conversations. At twenty-three, Goethe composed a marvelous ode in praise of Muhammad (ﷺ), and at seventy he confessed frankly that he was contemplating “celebrating in awe that holy night, when the Qur’a...
