Muhammad was born in 570 CE, and over the following sixty years built a thriving spiritual community, laying the foundations of a religion that... read full description
reviews
Jan 11, 2010
Susan
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For those seeking an Islam 101 course, this isn't the book for you. This is a history of the man who planted the seeds, but it doesn't delve into the fruits of that labor and the many off-shoots of it.
Karen Armstrong is a foremost religious scholar. She's able to convey very complex and intricate histories and ideas in a digestible way. This book introduces the life and path of the Prophet Muhammad and his struggle to bring monotheism to Arabia; to usher out the old pagan, clan-b More...
Karen Armstrong is a foremost religious scholar. She's able to convey very complex and intricate histories and ideas in a digestible way. This book introduces the life and path of the Prophet Muhammad and his struggle to bring monotheism to Arabia; to usher out the old pagan, clan-b More...
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Jan 11, 2010
Helen
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I learned a lot from Karen Armstrong's portrait of the prophet (not profit!)Muhammad and it gave me a lot of things to consider. The book is definitely written for Western Jews or Christians who may be distrustful of Islam, particularly its relationship with Judaism or Christianity. Armstrong explains the life of Muhammad with particular emphasis on his culture and continuing the line of prophets from Abraham through Jesus. To balance out her views, though, I'd like to read something about Muham
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Jan 11, 2010
Anoud
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Very interesting !!!
When I first started reading this book, I was sorta doubtful, putting in mind that; a book about the prophet or Islam written by a non-Muslim would be somehow biased, inaccurate or misleading. But to my surprise, this book was beyond my wildest expectations!
Karen Armstrong was concerned enough to write a book about the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to clarify some of the most controversial and debatable issues about him and Islam a whole. Especially after t More...
When I first started reading this book, I was sorta doubtful, putting in mind that; a book about the prophet or Islam written by a non-Muslim would be somehow biased, inaccurate or misleading. But to my surprise, this book was beyond my wildest expectations!
Karen Armstrong was concerned enough to write a book about the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to clarify some of the most controversial and debatable issues about him and Islam a whole. Especially after t More...
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Jan 11, 2010
Amber
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This was a great overview of the life of Prophet Muhammed and I learned lots about the connections between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism (Muhammed really saw Islam as a relative of the latter two -- all within the family of Abraham). What I missed most of, however, is more of Karen Armstrong´s wise commentary on religion. She is a great voice of wisdom in our time and I found myself wanting to hear more about her thoughts on Muhammed and Islam. I still recommend that we all read this book, th
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Jan 11, 2010
Mariam
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I'm currently half way through this book. Thus far, I must say, it's been an interesting read. Of the many biographies of the Prophet (S)I've read, none have been told from a non-Muslim perspective. It is apparent that Armstrong has done her research, however, there are certain aspects of the book that I questioned, seeing that they were, as Roohe said, a bit sketchy.
Still, Karen Armstrong is a good storyteller and she is able to portray the Prophet (S) sympathetically and in a very hum More...
Still, Karen Armstrong is a good storyteller and she is able to portray the Prophet (S) sympathetically and in a very hum More...
Apr 15, 2010
Dwain
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It was fascinating to read this book and "Mohammed: Founder of the world's most intolerant religion" together, as they are written from two completely different perspectives. Spencer portrays a Mohammed that has inspired generations of hate, intolerance, and violence, while Armstrong portrays somebody with the attributes of Jesus. I found them both biased, and I suspect the truth is somewhere in the middle of the two opinions, but it was refreshing to hear somebody who wasn't scared to
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Jun 02, 2011
Mitch
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This book is actually difficult for me to evaluate because in order to do that I'd have had to read other biographies on Muhammad, and I haven't. Still, my stars count for something as I found Karen's style both clear and easily readable- and it did give me a good picture of what Muhammad's life must have been like.
Because of this, I find myself wanting to rate Muhammad himself instead of the book...and he's not fair game here.
A criticism I do have for Karen: she dis More...
Because of this, I find myself wanting to rate Muhammad himself instead of the book...and he's not fair game here.
A criticism I do have for Karen: she dis More...
Jan 11, 2010
Chadijah
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loved it. a concise description and analysis of a religion that mostly being misrepresented and misunderstood. it was said that one day we have to look to the west to find the true meaning of islam. i think karen armstrong is one of the early symptoms indicating the saying is true.
Apr 16, 2011
Rachel
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Great, accessible introduction to the subject of Islam through an examination of the life of Muhammad, and particularly good on the profound connections between Islam, Judaism and Christianity in the 7th century and on Muhammad's brilliantly innovative, unorthodox and daring (in his context) emphasis on Armstrong's favorite theme of compassion. But there were more than a few places where I wondered if she wasn't trying so hard to correct for the extent to which Islam has been misunderstood and d
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Jan 19, 2011
Zack
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If you know little about Islam and are hoping that this book will explain it all for you, you should find another book. This is simply a quick biography of the Prophet, with lots of fine detail and context provided to make the world of 6th-century Arabia accessible to Western, non-Muslim readers. There were parts where my eyes glazed over a bit; the byzantine complexity of the political struggle out of which Islam was born was too much for me to follow along with, but the book has lots of other
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Jan 11, 2010
Jon
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Karen Armstrong first came to my attention when she participated in a debate with Richard Dawkins, in the Wall Street Journal. She seemed to me to articulate a more complete understanding of religion than Dawkins did, and I’m currently waiting for A Case for Religion by Karen Armstrong to be returned to the library so that I can read it. She has written many books on the history of religion, especially fundamentalism, and also an autobiography, The Spiral Staircase.
Her book on Muh More...
Her book on Muh More...
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Feb 23, 2011
Teri
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Part of the 'Eminent Lives' series, this is a concise biography of Muhammad showing how during his lifetime he affected the development of communities and tribal obligations along the Arabian peninsula. Although this is strictly a life of the Prophet and the author makes no attempt to connect these historical events to more current ones, the background of the cultural and political structures provides some basis for following current events in the Middle East.
Mar 12, 2011
Ruth
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I have been moved, informed and transformed in my estimation of Islam by this amply researched but easily accessible examination of the life and legacy for our times by a figure who has been alternately too glibly maligned and readily exonerated. The contradictions of his character and paradoxes of his society necessitated that kind of transcendence which is required only of great leaders in tragic situations, spiritual or political.
Oct 03, 2010
Jan
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This book is an excellent exploration of the prophet Muhammad's life and teachings. It's short and very easy to read. If you don't know anything about Islam and want to learn more, this is an excellent place to start. It's particularly interesting to compare how Islam is viewed in the media today in relation to its origins, i.e. what Muhammad intended his religion to be. Don't be afraid to broaden your mind - give this book a try!
Jan 11, 2010
Adam
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Muhammad (pbuh) was born in 570 CE, and over the following sixty years built a thriving spiritual community, laying the foundations of a religion that changed the course of world history. There is more historical data on his life than on that of the founder of any other major faith, and yet his story is little known.
Karen Armstrong's immaculately researched new biography of Muhammad (pbuh) will enable readers to understand the true origins and spirituality of a faith that is all too often More...
Karen Armstrong's immaculately researched new biography of Muhammad (pbuh) will enable readers to understand the true origins and spirituality of a faith that is all too often More...
Aug 16, 2011
Shaimaa
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It's quite interesting, reading about Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) from a Mustashreq writer .. the only missing part in this book is the warm feelings we have towards our prophet that every muslim feels, but ofcourse i wouldn't expect such feelings here..the writer used her western logical way of thinking but it was quite enough to have this wonderful conclusion..
Jan 29, 2012
The most important thing I got out of this book is that the institutions of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism don't matter. Being God-conscious is the important thing. Focusing on the institution is like shirk.
I also learned that the prophet had a hard time figuring out what he was supposed to do, and he had to set aside his expectations and adapt to changing circumstances. He had to reflect and try to see differently than he had before.
The biggest obstacle to peace in the pro More...
I also learned that the prophet had a hard time figuring out what he was supposed to do, and he had to set aside his expectations and adapt to changing circumstances. He had to reflect and try to see differently than he had before.
The biggest obstacle to peace in the pro More...
Feb 03, 2011
This is a great read for those who like the informative and dense style of Armstrong’s writing, and for those who prefer easy reading novels this is a lot to slog through. We have women on both sides of this fence. Some of our Muslim members said they had never seen Muhammad through the eyes of a non-Muslim and that this was a whole new and helpful, even if a bit startling at first, perspective on the Prophet. The book prompted a full-bodied discussion and we would highly recommend it for tho
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Jan 11, 2010
Thorin
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This was another audiobook selection of mine. The version I have I believe was read by the author. It was not bad as far as audiobooks go; the author's voice could be a tad bit irritating at times but it didn't bother me that much. I finished reading it on the last day of Ramadan which was nice timing. I used this book as an introduction to islam and to the foundation of what is today the muslim faith. I knew very little about Muhammad and feel this book gave me a fairly good portrait of who he
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May 19, 2011
Derek
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A good, quick overview of Muhammad's life. Like her short history of Islam, Armstrong tries to fit too much into too little space. Nevertheless, this is a good introduction to Muhammad's life and it gives one an idea of how the Koran came to be.
Apr 01, 2011
Jenny
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A well written and interesting brief biography of the prophet Muhammad. This book is written for the Western reader and does a good job of explaining the history and context of Muhammad's time.
Jan 11, 2010
Roohe
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New: I'm now done with this book. It was ok--again, some stuff in there that raised my eyebrows, that influenced this mediocre rating. I do commend Karen Armstrong though for writing this book and entitling it so appropriately.
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I'm halfway through this book. It's interesting reading a sirah book written by a non-Muslim, even if it's a sympathetic non-Muslim, because as Muslims, we are so inherently biased when reading about the Prophet (saw). She presen More...
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I'm halfway through this book. It's interesting reading a sirah book written by a non-Muslim, even if it's a sympathetic non-Muslim, because as Muslims, we are so inherently biased when reading about the Prophet (saw). She presen More...
Jul 28, 2011
Because I can always use another review before I try to simplify a major world religion and its historical context for World History lectures.
May 30, 2011
Gwen
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This isn't a bad biography of the prophet. It's just kinda meh. If you're looking to find information on Islam try Reza Aslan's book No God but God.
Oct 10, 2010
peterlovefuzz
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Karen Armstrong selalu jernih dan bersahabat ketika berbicara tentang dunia Islam, dalam sudut pandangnya sendiri. Like it!
Jan 11, 2010
Indah "Threez"
rated it:
Sudah punya versi terbitan Risalah Gusti, tapi sayang melewatkan terbitan hardcover Mizan ini di Sudirman Citiwalk kemarin.
Nov 18, 2010
Mary
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good to understand a bit about Muhammad in the context of his time and the Arabian desert.
Jan 13, 2010
Recommended by Reza Aslan (author of the book I'm currently reading on Islam) as "beautiful".
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Nov 05, 2011
Hamidharasani
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The book was comprehensive in the fact that it does give a general biography of the Prophet's life. It is also beautifully written. But I lowered my rating due to the few factual inaccuracies in the book. Some of them were just completely made up by the Author which is disappointing and also unprofessional.
