Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet By Karen Armstrong

Karen Armstrong à 5 Read & Download

This is an important book about a Person Westerners need to know more about. The author has set an example of balanced scholarship and sensitivity that all religious scholars would be well served to emulate. In the book, the author not only chronicles the life of the Founder of Islam, but also documents the many false statements promulgated in the West for centuries about Muhammad and Islam. The author courageously explains such difficult subjects for Westerners such as the station of women in Muhammad's day (along with what He did to elevate their status) as well as the concept of jihad (which is revealed to the reader to be much more that just holy war). I found the author's insights into Muhammad's politics fascinating and these insights did not quell the great respect I have for this Divine Revelator, but rather increased my astonishment at His social creativity in the hostile environment He found himself in. Finally, the book is written with sensitivity to Muslims and helped me understand some of the special challenges Muslims living in the West have. As a delightful bonus, the book is quite readable for a religious scholar's work.
Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet A great biography of Muhammad (PBUH) that follows him throughout his life. If a person is used to some spellings of Arabic words, it will take time to learn other spellings. This book is a great companion to the Qur'an, and will allow the reader a greater understanding of the development of one of the world's greatest religions: Islam. Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet 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 fascinating. Her narrative of the beginnings of Islam is quite compelling. And, of course, the characters are vivid: Muhammad, all of his wives (Khadija and Aisha were particularly interesting), Abu Bakr, Umar Uthman, Ali, and all of his enemies. It was an engrossing and informative read. Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet An insight for us ignorant westerners brought up on purely Christian doctrine as to what makes the other half of the world tick. This book eases the reader through the violent landscape of tribal Arabia to help us appreciate just why Muhammad is important, not only as the Muslim prophet, but as a complex, political character who could unite nations.
Whether read on a secular or religious level the book entertains the reader with its exotic backdrops, entertaining cast and non-judgemental text. One is left to form ones own opinions on the merits of Muhammad's life as the author adeptly records events without ever making the error of sounding like a dry, dusty, critical historian.
All the details are in place, but in a format that reads like an adventure novel rather than a lecture, highly entertaining and fresh.
Current events are touched upon in a sensitive, restrained fashion but really they are the one unnecessary aspect of the book. The storyline alone provides many answers as to just why fanatical adherents are willing to go to such extremes in the name of their prophet.
One comes away from the book, if not fully understanding the Muslim mindset, then at least appreciating why the devotion is there.
A wonderful, entertaining read. Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet كتاب حلو قوي
من كاتبة مستشرقة
وان كنت بكره اللفظ دا
بحسه مريب ومثير للشك
بس ما علينا الكتاب بيتحدث عن السيرة العطرة للنبي
وعن كل الاشاعات اللي بتقال
وبترد عليه بسهولة
كتاب تتعجب ان سيدة غربية
تتوصل لتلك المعاني بينما العرب
لامؤاخذة
بيقراءو الفهرست
وبس
ودا اخرهم ف الدين
والقنوات المريبة
اللي شاغله بالها بدخول الحمام
والخروج منه
بينما اصلا مفيش حمام
كتاب لابد ان تقرائه
:) Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet

أولا وقبل أي شيء إنك لا تهدي من أحببت ولكن الله يهدي من يشاء فاسأل الله أن يرزق كارين ارمسترونج النطق بالشهادتين.

ببساطة لمن لا يعرفها هي مستشرقة بريطانية وراهبة سابقة ولكنها لا تتبع أي دين بالرغم من يقينها التام بوحدانية الله وتقديرها وتبجيلها لجميع أنبياءه ورسله ولاسيما خاتم الأنبياء والمرسلين صلى الله عليه وسلم والذي كتبت هذا الكتاب الرائع دفاعا عنه وعن سيرته العطرة بعد أزمة الرواية الشيطانية آيات شيطانية وبعد تجدد الأحقاد الغربية ضد الاسلام ونبيه صلى الله عليه وسلم والتي زكاها أيضا بعض الاصوات الحماسية الغير عقلانية لبعض المسلمين.
كتاب رائع وان كان به اخطاء بسيطة او روايات ضعيفة أوردتها كتب السير دون إسناد ولا تخلو منها كتب كثير من الدعاة والشيوخ المسلمين أيضا.

الكتاب يخاطب العقل الغربي بصورة رائعة ويسلط الضوء على كلا الجانبين المادي والروحاني من حياة رسول الله ويشرح جميع الشبهات والافتراءات التي يحملها الغرب عليه صلى الله عليه وسلم وعلى الاسلام ككل وأيضا توضح اسباب تتطرف بعض المتحمسين من المسلمين والتي ترى أن الغرب سبب رئيسي فيما وصلوا اليه.

أيضا الكتاب رائع ككتاب في السيرة النبوية العطرة ومن أمتع كتب السيرة التي قرأتها وهو كتاب السيرة النبوية الثاني الذي قرأته للكاتبة - بالرغم من انه الأول من حيث النشر - أما الكتاب الآخر فهو محمد نبي لزماننا والذي كتبته أيضا دفعا عن الاسلام ونبيه الكريم عقب أحداث ١١ سبتمبر.
وأخيرا أقول جزى الله كارين خيرا ولا خير أعظم من الاسلام. Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet

Comparative religions writer, Karen Armstrong's book, Mohammad, really helps us to understand the Prophet of Islam; I believe that this book is a must read for all Westerners who really care to know, in an unbiased way, the foundations of Islam. Because we often do NOT understand, in being western we can often cause more harm than good in the wrongful opinions that we believe and espouse.


In working to help Christian and Jews of the west to understand people of Islam, I have often used this as a reference, a recommendation for church groups, and for people helping refugees and immigrants from Islamic countries integrate here in the west. Unlike many writers from the East, Armstrong tries to show us exactly who Mohammad was, his strengths, his weaknesses, and his actual life. She gives us background in the area, especially where Mecca is, and its historical background so we can understand Mohammad's early life and the importance of what this religion brought to the area when it came forth.

Armstrong helps us to understand Mohammad's early life - His father dead before he was born, his mother dead by the time he was seven, being brought up as an orphan by his uncle, going to work for Kajika, a woman in her forties who had survived four husbands and was a major business person who employed and promoted many men in the trade business that she conducted - - - Kajika's marriage proposal to Mohammad, 16 years her junior and their 26 year marriage; Kajika's providing support for Mohammad's spiritual searching and then becoming the first convert to Islam after his remarkable interactions with the angel, Gabriel - - for the Islamics, Gibreal.

The book then goes on to give us and account of his mistakes, his struggles, the wars, Kajka's eventual death and his eventual marrying of many women and why this occured, why it was important for women of the time, and how we can fully understand it.

Armstrong then gives us a history of the rest of Mohammad's life and the after math after his death with the political and wars happening between his cousin, and named successor, Ali, married to Mohammad's daughter, Fatima - - and his youngest wife, Aisha that give us the present major factions of Islam, the Sunni and the Shi'ite.

Over all this book is one of the best, non biased books to help all of us understand Islam and how it relates to Judaism and Christianity. It points out the many wrong stereotypes that we have
came from the Roman Catholic church who felt so threatened by Islam's direct relationship with God, that even in Mohammad's time the Roman church was making up lies about Mohammad and Islam.

For understanding Islam and women for westerners, I highly recommend, Nine parts of Desire: the Hidden World of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks who helps us to break down our sterotypes and see the problems of living within many cultures from the actual view point of the Islamic Women themselves who help us to understand where we do NOT understand them.

In understanding what is going on in Afghanistan and in part the middle east right now - I also recommend Holy War, Unholy Victory: Eyewitness to the Cia's Secret War in Afghanistan for a real understanding of the roots of where we are right now with the Afghan war. Although it only covers up to the early nineties, it helps us understand the Soviet invasion of 1979, our creation of the Tailiban, and what is really going on right now. It takes away many of the false premises that we have been given for the current war.


Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet তুমুল আলোচিত-সমালোচিত একটি ঘটনার প্রেক্ষিতে আখেরি নবির জীবনী লেখার প্রয়াস পেয়েছিলেন কারেন আর্মস্ট্��ং। ঘটনাটি হলো সালমান রুশদির বিতর্কিত গ্রন্থ 'স্যাটানিক ভার্সেস' এবং বইটিকে কেন্দ্র করে রুশদিকে একটি পক্ষের সমর্থনদান। পরিস্থিতি আরও জটিল হয়ে যায় ইরানের বিপ্লবী সরকার কর্তৃক রুশদিকে মৃত্যুদণ্ড ঘোষণাসহ তাকে হত্যা করতে পারলে বড়ো অঙ্কের পুরস্কার ঘোষণা। তখন পশ্চিমাসহ অনেকেই ইসলামকে 'উগ্রবাদী ধর্ম' বলে চিহ্নিত করতে ব্যাপক প্রচারণা চালান। এমনকি গণমাধ্যম��ুলো ইসলামকে 'ভিলেন' হিসেবে জনতার কাছে পৌঁছে দিতে বিশেষভাবে সহায়তা করে। কারেন আর্মস্ট্রং এই বিষয়গুলি পর্যবেক্ষণ করেছেন গভীরভাবে। ইসল��ম ও মুসলমানদের বিরুদ্ধে সর্বাত্মক প্রচারণার নিকৃষ্ট রূপের বিপরীত একটি চিত্রের কথা বইয়ের ভূমিকায় তিনি লিখেছেন। শিয়াপন্থি ইরানের রুশদিকে মৃত্যুদণ্ড ঘোষণা করলেও অনেক ইসলামি পণ্ডিত এটির বিরোধিতা করেন। আল আজহার বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের চল্লিশজনের বেশি মুফতি ইরানের ফতোয়াকে চ্যালেঞ্জ করে বিবৃতিতে দেন। কিন্তু সেইসব ঘটনা গণমাধ্যমে স্থান পায়নি, পশ্চিমা বুদ্ধিজীবিদের কর্ণ কুহরে তা প্রবেশ করেনি। এমন উত্তপ্ত পরিস্থিতিতে নবিকে বুঝার এবং তাঁর জীবন ও সময়কালকে জানার চেষ্টা করেন কারেন আর্মস্ট্রং।

অত্যন্ত চমৎকার একটি গ্রন্থ। ইসলামের সূচনা থেকে নবির মৃত্যুবরণ পর্যন্ত ঘটনাগুলোকে সুন্দরভাবে বর্ণনা করেছেন কারেন আর্মস্ট্রং। প্রথমদিকে লেখা নবির চারটি সিরাতগ্রন্থ,কুরআন ও হাদিসকে তিনি তথ্যসূত্র হিসেবে ব্যবহার করেছেন। যে ঘটনাগুলো নিয়ে অমুসলিমগণ প্রশ্ন তোলেন, এমনকি করেন বক্রোক্তি সেই ঘটনাগুলোর এত যৌক্তিক ব্যাখা দিয়েছেন একজন অমুসলিম তা বইটি না পড়লে জানা হতো না। পেতাম না মনে খচখচ করা কতিপয় কৌতূহলের জওয়াব। ঘটনার পরম্পরায় ভিত্তিতে লেখা কারেন আর্মস্ট্রংয়ের লেখা নবির জীবনী যে-কেউ পড়তে পারেন। কারণ ভক্তিবাদের রসে সিক্ত হয়ে কারেন আর্মস্ট্রং কেতাবটি লেখেননি বরং নবি মুহাম্মদ এবং ইসলামের উত্থানের চমকপ্রদ ইতিহাসের ইতিবাচক মনোভাব নিয়ে লিখেছেন। Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet 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 the wake of September 11 and all the Islamophobic attitudes which increasingly started to break out in the air. In her book, Armstrong does a very good job in introducing an analytical, well-written, decent biography about Muhammad (PBUH) with a cleverly clear emphasis on issues have been always subject to a great criticism by westerns such as the concept of jihad and war, his multi wives and hijab. She also portrays amazingly the ideology of Arabia in the 6th century before the Islam would be introduced and before the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH), in order to show the massive complex challenges faced the prophet when he began to reform the social, political and economic systems.

It was so interesting to read a biography about the prophet (PBUH) from a western and non-Muslim perspective. I loved the way her analysis went so profoundly to shed light on the different aspects of the prophet's life, and then relating them to today's misunderstood conceptions of Islam. For me, the most astonishing part was when she talked about the Qur'an. The way she talked about it was remarkably marvelous to the extent that I really couldn't believe that she is not a Muslim!!! She didn't only talk about the Qur'anic tolerable teachings but her deep analysis extended to consider the rich allusive language used and its spiritual effects on humans' consciousness.

Armstrong seeks through her book to encourage a new understanding towards Islam taking Muhammad (PBUH) as a starting point. It was crystal clear also that she is trying to advance understanding and appreciating one another religion. Finally, although her research and study are notably valid as she refers to people such as Ibn Ishaq and Tabari, some of the events and facts were incorrect and inaccurately addressed.




Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet I've read several biographies of the prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, but this one was unique. Karen is respectful and yet not reverential, and although she uses orthodox Muslim historical sources (Ibn Ishaq, Tabari, Muhammad Ibn Sa'd and al-Waqidi) her outsider approach produced some surprises in what I thought was a familiar topic.

She tries to rationalize several incidents, sometimes ignoring the sources in the search for a more credible explanation. An early example is that the army of Abraha the Abyssinian governor of southern Arabia which attempted to destroy the ka'bah on the year of the prophet's birth, relating that at the very gates of the city it seems that his army was stricken by plague and forced to beat an ignominious defeat. This isn't a weakness though, as it provides historical context and forces an evaluation of the source - whether they could be romanticised, tweaked or exaggerated in retelling. She also strongly contextualizes many incidents, providing significant political background to the conflict with the Jewish tribes of Medina.

One of the most interesting things about the narrative by far was the attention paid to the socioeconomic situation in Arabia through the time period, explaining it from several generations before the prophet's birth to his death in more detail than the original sources or any secondary ones I've yet come across. This brings an understanding of the power dynamics in the community, how various factors interplay with the newly founded religion of Islam and the complex motivations of different characters. She claims that the tribal solidarity ethic of nomadic Arabs was ill-suited to more cosmopolitan life when Quraysh settled in Mecca, and discussed the slow dissolution of society as the first generation to be born without the daily risk of desert life became mercantile and obsessed with financial profit, neglecting the weak and creating a rapidly-growing wealth and class divide which was new to Arabs. The youth, who felt growing malaise and a lack of belonging in this new Arabia, were naturally among the first to be attracted to Islam, given that social solidarity was one of the first messages preached.

The main weaknesses of the book are poor transliteration and several infuriating contradictions of itself or its sources (there is no evidence that Muhammad saw Islam as a universal religion being one of the worst). But if you are already familiar with the source material, that isn't significantly detrimental to its enjoyability.

Ultimately it ends on a positive note, balancing the just war theology with the strong evidence for a complementary paradigm of peace evidenced from the treaty of Hudaybiyah, the opening of Mecca and the subsequent reconciliation with and forgiveness of Quraysh. Written at the time of the Rushdie crisis, the opening chapter discusses the modern climate of fear and hatred towards Islam and Muslims together with historical trends in Eastern-Western relations, and calls for an attempt to come to mutual understanding and fight Western media and academic bias against Islam. I think she succeeded in presenting a sympathetic, accessible portrayal which is greatly relevant to our modern times, and therefore I happily recommend it. Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet

Muhammad was born in 570 C.E. Over the course of the following sixty years, he built a thriving spiritual community and laid out the foundations of a religion that has changed the course of world history. There is more historical data available about his life than that of the founder of any other major faith, and yet, particularly in the West, his is a consistently misunderstood story.



An acclaimed authority on religious and spiritual issues, Karen Armstrong offers a balanced portrait of this revered figure. Through comparison with other prophets and mystics, she illuminates Muhammad's spiritual ideas; she uses the facts of his life, from which Muslims have drawn instruction for centuries, to make the tenets of Islam clear and accessible for modern readers of all faiths. This vivid and detailed biography strips away centuries of distortion and myth to reveal the man behind the religion.

Karen Armstrong, bestselling author, scholar, and journalist, is among the world's foremost commentators on religious history and culture. Post-9/11, she has become a crucial advocate for mutual understanding between the world's major faiths. Her books include Buddha: A Biography, The Battle for God, and Islam: A Short History.

Respectful without being reverential, knowledgeable without being pedantic, and, above all, readable. It succeeds because [Armstrong] brings Muhammad to life as a fully rounded human being. -The Economist Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet