A popular edition of an account of the life of the Prophet of Islam described as the most influential man in the history of the world. This biography does not merely recount the major events and turning points of Muhammad's life but helps the reader draw a code for himself from the many walks of life through which Muhammad traversed.This book certainly opens up this life in a wonderful manner.
So, over the past couple of years I've been occasionally visiting a local mosque. I was invited by a guy I met at the local farmers' market who was handing out these "Love for All, Hatred for None" stickers and such. His mosque invites non-Muslims in on at least a weekly basis for coffee, snacks, conversation, basically just an effort to connect with the greater community. Over the course of my visits, I've picked up a few books written by past leaders of this particular sect. I'd never gotten around to reading this one. After a recent Ramadan visit, I figured I'd get to it.
This isn't a bad book. It's interesting, and it fills in a lot of the blanks I had. It's not a theology book, really. There's not a whole lot about the message of Muhammad or the particular beliefs of Islam as compared to Judaism or Christianity. It's not exactly a biography, because "biography" to me implies a level of scholarship and objectivity that is missing here (which isn't a bad thing, it's just not that kind of book). It's the "story" of Muhammad's life, as written by a loyal follower of the faith. It avoids the controversies that detractors might want to bring up just like your Sunday school teacher probably avoided the controversies of any "life of Jesus" stories you got in your early years.
I would have liked a little more theology. I didn't expect, but would have enjoyed, more objectivity. But that said, this wasn't at all bad. Sort of an adventure story that teaches you the early history of Islam.
If you want a book that completely leaves out all the hatred murder mistreatment of slaves and women with no mention of paedophilia and hatred of all other religions, this is the book for you !!!