To what extent could we recognize Muhammad (the Prophet) to be a historical figure

This research explores the extent to which Prophet Muhammad can be recognized as a historical figure by examining the diverse scholarly debates surrounding his historicity. Initial doubts about Muhammad’s existence emerged in the early 20th century, particularly within Soviet revisionist circles influenced by ideological skepticism toward religion. Figures like Morozov and Klimovich denied his existence, arguing that Islam emerged gradually since,  Arabia was too underdeveloped to have given birth to a religion like Islam, and that the traditional narrative was later constructed to fulfill theological and political agendas. These views were challenged by scholars such as Patricia Crone and Michael Cook, who highlighted early non-Muslim sources that mention Muhammad by name and provide indirect evidence of his activities, particularly during the early Islamic conquests.