Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time (Eminent Lives)
by Karen Armstrong
|
|
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 534)
From Publishers Weekly
In a meticulous quest for the historical Muhammad,(pbuh) Armstrong first traces the West's long history of hostility toward Islam, which it has stigmatized as a "religion of the sword." This sympathetic, engrossing biography portrays Muhammad (pbuh)(ca. 570-632) as a passionate, complex, fallible human being--a charismatic leader possessed of political as well as spiritual gifts, and a prophet whose monotheistic vision intuitively answered the deepest longings ...more
In a meticulous quest for the historical Muhammad,(pbuh) Armstrong first traces the West's long history of hostility toward Islam, which it has stigmatized as a "religion of the sword." This sympathetic, engrossing biography portrays Muhammad (pbuh)(ca. 570-632) as a passionate, complex, fallible human being--a charismatic leader possessed of political as well as spiritual gifts, and a prophet whose monotheistic vision intuitively answered the deepest longings ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2008
One of my favorite books is Olaf Stapledon's Last and First Men, where the author writes a panoramic narrative of humanity's billion+ years of life from its First Men (us) to its Last (our far distant ancestors on Neptune). A factor in the First Men's downfall was their tragic inability to perceive the true nature of reality except in the most limited and distorted ways, and (even perceiving it) unable to act upon it.
I was reminded of this reading Armstrong' very sympathetic portrayal of Muh...more
I was reminded of this reading Armstrong' very sympathetic portrayal of Muh...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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-based sys...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-based sys...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
Read in May, 2007
I have always heard good things about Karen Armstrong’s books; however, I was extremely disappointed in this biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Of course, as an outsider to Islam, Armstrong’s writings do not confirm or support Islam as the religion of God. Rather, most of the book is dedicated to proving what a genius the Prophet (peace be upon him) was to create such a religion. She attempts to connect many of the Islamic traditions with the old Arab pagan traditions. From an An...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in December, 2007
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...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in May, 2007
I was doubtful at first -- Armstrong seemed to be biased too much in the other way (i.e. going out of her way to portray Islam in a good light to counteract what she perceives as centuries of Western ignorance and prejudice). She spent a good chapter at first excoriating the West for its reprehensible attitude toward Islam.
But then the biography got really good. You know, once it actually started. Armstrong's descriptions of life, traditions, and politics in 7th century Arabia are fasci...more
But then the biography got really good. You know, once it actually started. Armstrong's descriptions of life, traditions, and politics in 7th century Arabia are fasci...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
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 mis...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 mis...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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 human l...more
Still, Karen Armstrong is a good storyteller and she is able to portray the Prophet (S) sympathetically and in a very human l...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 presents the Proph...more
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 presents the Proph...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2006
An honest and informative account! Armstrong maybe an athiest, but she is undoubtedly a respectful scholar who wants to know and show, not hurt and destroy a peronality that made history despite his humble origins. She takes a careful and philosophical approach towards her subject which can neverthless, generate healthy debate. At no place does one feel she is sensationalizing the prophet of Islam or trying to crate a controversy. I may take some discussion with a pinch of salt, but on the whole...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in December, 2007
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, t...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
recommends it for:
lumayan
penuturan armstrong mengenai sejarah
seorang manusia besar yang merubah dunia..
cukup dapat menggambarkan peristiwa2 yang
terjadi sebelum rasulullah lahir sampai
beliau meninggal, meski tanpa ada kecenderungan
emosional yang biasanya digunakan untuk
mengajak pembaca menyelami suasana yang
digambarkan.
satu hal yang jelas, alangkah bagusnya
buku ini bila disandingkan dengan kenyataan
sejarah wajah dunia islam setelah ditinggalkan
rasulullah, agar 'kehebatan' beliau dengan
segala k...more
seorang manusia besar yang merubah dunia..
cukup dapat menggambarkan peristiwa2 yang
terjadi sebelum rasulullah lahir sampai
beliau meninggal, meski tanpa ada kecenderungan
emosional yang biasanya digunakan untuk
mengajak pembaca menyelami suasana yang
digambarkan.
satu hal yang jelas, alangkah bagusnya
buku ini bila disandingkan dengan kenyataan
sejarah wajah dunia islam setelah ditinggalkan
rasulullah, agar 'kehebatan' beliau dengan
segala k...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2006
recommended to Puput by:
My brother
Even thou she's not a Muslim i appreciate the way she wrote about Muhammad SAW.It's not easy to write a biography of the Prophet,specially Muhammad SAW who have bad image in the western.But she wrote it in a different angle who can make the western think that Muhammad is not what they think.He's only a child of his parents, he's only a husband of his wifes,He's only a father of his children, he's the leader of the Muslim and the important thing is that he's only a human who have mistake and the ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2005
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
Amazing. I knew nothing about Muhammad until I read the book. It is an outline of his life and experiences, nothing preachy, and very informative. He really did have a life like Joseph Smith. I think he may have been inspired and then...he get's a little weird with raiding travelors and having revelations about people leaving him alone on his wedding night. That sounds like it was a terrible book, but it really is basic knowledge we should all know about Muhammad's life and the Quran.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2006
recommends it for:
those with interests in religion, history, anthropology, or social justice
This book provides a fascinating look into the birth of Islam and the religion's founder. As a historian, Armstrong clearly inserts her own views and biases but I thinkt it makes for a rich and compelling biography. For those with concerns for social justice, this book is a good read, especially in a time when Islam is painted in the blacks and whites of media defined "jihad." It shows the revolutionary quality of Muhammad's actions given the historical and cultural setting.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
MY OPINION ABOUT THIS ONE IS
Meskipun buku ini ditulis oleh seorang non-muslim, esensi Islam itu sendiri tampak sangat kental dan jauh dari intervensi latar belakang agama si penulis. Manurut saya isi buku ini sangat apa adanya. Begitulah Islam. Bukannya saya langsung memutuskan bahwa buku ini 100% sempurna. Tidak. At least, saya jadi tahu adanya pandangan "baik" segelintir non-muslim di dunia ini terhadap Islam.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2004
recommends it for:
Muhammad's followers
i'm moeslem, since i was child i've been introduced to the figure of Muhammad. My parent said that he is our role model, his tradition is the second source of our religion, and they forced me to read a lot of story about Mohammad....
but when i met this book, i realized that i in fact didn't know anything about Muhammad, thanks to kareen amstrong to reintroduce me to my real idol....
to be frank, this book is enlightening.....
but when i met this book, i realized that i in fact didn't know anything about Muhammad, thanks to kareen amstrong to reintroduce me to my real idol....
to be frank, this book is enlightening.....
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
This seems to be a good overview of Prophet Muhammad's life for a Westerner who is steeped in bad imagery of him. Armstrong wrote this after the whole Satanic Verses thing went down, so she tackles some of that in her book. The chapter on Western archetypal images of Islam is kind of Orientalism 101, but that's her point. A good book to read for someone who doesn't know much about Islam and is open to learning.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Well-written, meticulously researched book about the life of the prophet Muhammad. The author read the book on the audiobook I heard. I liked Armstrong's writing style--down-to-earth and informative, scholarly without being difficult to follow. I appreciated her balanced and historical view of Muhammad's life and her effort to put the story in a social and historical context.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
