Martin Rynja, whose publishing house will release controversial historical novel The Jewel of the Medina in the UK next month, escaped unharmed when accelerant was lit in the doorway of his home.
The 44-year-old remains under police protection following the incident in north London on Saturday.
Neighbours described seeing smoke and flames in the doorway of the house.
The Jewel of the Medina, written by American author Sherry Jones, focuses on Mohammed’s relationship with his young bride Aisha.
Denise Spellberg, an associate professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas, was quoted in the US media as saying the book took “sacred history” and turned it into “softcore pornography”.
However, the author’s agent Natasha Kern said the novel was not offensive, and having the public read it was the only way to counter the “distortions and outright lies that the book either insults Mohammed or contains salacious or suggestive material”.
The novel is “peace-building and bridge-building”, Ms Kern added, and would encourage dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Two men were arrested outside the Lonsdale Square property on terror charges in the early hours of Saturday, while a third was detained outside a nearby Underground station.
Officers also searched four addresses around north-east London - two in Walthamstow, one in Ilford and one in Forest Gate.
Mr Rynja himself was unavailable for comment but, announcing the book’s publication earlier this month, he said: “In an open society, there has to be open access to literary works, regardless of fear.
“As an independent publishing company, we feel strongly that we should not be afraid of the consequences of debate.
“The Jewel of the Medina has become an important barometer of our time.”
