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محمد : قصة النبي الأخير
قلة تمتلك شجاعة الحديث عن الأنبياء والرسل بسبب قدسيتهم وخشية أن يُساء فهم الحديث عنهم ومع هذا يغامر ديباك شوبرا ذو السمعة العالمية بمغامرة الحديث عن الرسول الأعظم في تاريخ الإنسانية، وتقديمه إلى قرائه ببساطة العارف بسيرته كما رواها معاصروه في سيرة ابن هشام.
وبالمثل يحاول أن يضفي عليها رؤية معاصرة تجمع بين الديني والدنيوي تصور محمد (ص) شخصية تشبه كل البشر رعتها العناية الإلهية وأنضجتها الظروف الدنيوية لتلعب الدور الذي رسمته لها الأقدار.
وبالمثل يحاول أن يضفي عليها رؤية معاصرة تجمع بين الديني والدنيوي تصور محمد (ص) شخصية تشبه كل البشر رعتها العناية الإلهية وأنضجتها الظروف الدنيوية لتلعب الدور الذي رسمته لها الأقدار.
351 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2003
202 people are currently reading
1672 people want to read
About the author
Deepak Chopra
690 books19.1k followersDeepak Chopra, MD serves as the Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Foundation, and Co-Founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing.
As a global leader and pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, Chopra transforms the way the world views physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellness. Known as a prolific author of eighty books books with twenty-two New York Times best sellers in both fiction and non-fiction, his works have been published in more than forty-three languages.
Chopra’s medical training is in internal medicine and endocrinology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Dr. Chopra serves as Co-Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Founder of The Chopra Well on YouTube, Adjunct Professor of Executive Programs at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, Columbia University, Assistant Clinical Professor, in the Family and Preventive Medicine Department at the University of California, San Diego, Health Sciences, Faculty at Walt Disney Imagineering, and Senior Scientist with The Gallup Organization.
GlobeIn acknowledges Chopra as "one of top ten most influential spiritual leaders around the world." TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as "one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century and credits him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine."
As a global leader and pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, Chopra transforms the way the world views physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellness. Known as a prolific author of eighty books books with twenty-two New York Times best sellers in both fiction and non-fiction, his works have been published in more than forty-three languages.
Chopra’s medical training is in internal medicine and endocrinology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Dr. Chopra serves as Co-Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Founder of The Chopra Well on YouTube, Adjunct Professor of Executive Programs at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, Columbia University, Assistant Clinical Professor, in the Family and Preventive Medicine Department at the University of California, San Diego, Health Sciences, Faculty at Walt Disney Imagineering, and Senior Scientist with The Gallup Organization.
GlobeIn acknowledges Chopra as "one of top ten most influential spiritual leaders around the world." TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as "one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century and credits him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
October 24, 2011
Novel about Islam's founder proves surprisingly accessible and entertaining
4.5 stars: I had braced myself to slog through Deepak Chopra's biographical novel "Muhammad: A Story of the Last Prophet." Instead, I was delightfully surprised by the compelling story of Muhammad's journey from affluent trader to reluctant prophet, and the engagingly lyrical music of the suras (verses) he channeled from Allah.
Story: Although ostensibly a novel, Chopra bookends his story about the Muslim prophet with an author's note and an afterword, offering the reader a history lesson while reflecting on the current relationship between Islam and the rest of the world. The novel emphasizes that of all the founders of the great world religions, Muhammad is the most like us. Muhammad, a merchant who marries a rich widow and routinely travels in caravans as part of his trade, lives a regular life until the day the archangel Gabriel appears and orders the reluctant 40-year-old Muhammad to recite. (To recite, Chopra reminds, is the root word of Koran.) Using multiple first-person narrators--slaves and merchants, hermits, and scribes--he portrays life (including its brutality) on the streets of Mecca. Each chapter is self-contained. Muhammad's wife, Khadijah, laments there have been no warnings that this tumultuous, life-changing event is about to occur; Ali, the first convert, explains how the Prophet approached him. Compellingly told, this is not only good storytelling; it also helps readers, especially non-Muslims, better understand the complexities and contradictions surrounding Islam. (From Booklist)
Spiritual/metaphysical content: Medium. The book focused more on the man than his teachings, which I found to be less than satisfying. I had hoped to gain more insight into the teachings of Islam, although Chopra does describe the five pillars and six core beliefs of Islam, along with some of his other teachings. However, other aspects of the work delighted me. I expected to learn much about Islam, but what I didn't expect was the love of poetry that suffused Arab hearts and the attendant lyricism of Muhammad's suras. I enjoyed the poetry of each sura as much as the message.
Do you not see how he has lengthened the shadows?
the One is He who made the night a garment for you.
He gave you sleep so that you may rest
And the morning sky to be a resurrection.
And
Lo, I swear by the afterglow of sunset,
And by the night and all it enshrouds.
And by the moon when she is at the full,
You will journey to higher and higher worlds.
Another unexpected delight was the wealth of Arabic sayings that were both pithy and poetic: "Fate ... was like a wasp covered in honey. You cannot taste the sweetness without a sting."
My take: In addition to being a simple and easy introduction to the life and teachings of Muhammad and Islam, "Muhammad" proves to be entertaining, historically accurate, and relevant to our times. Chopra's stilted writing style made several of his non-historical novels less than enjoyable to me in the past. However, his short and direct prose works well in the context of this fictionalized biography. By writing each chapter from a different character's perspective, including Muhammad's enemies, Chopra offers fascinating perspective and varies what might otherwise be a monotonal story. The actual events of the Prophet's life provide a thrilling framework fraught with conflict that propels the story forward.
I learned a great deal about Muhammad's life and the rise of Islam. Although much blood was spilled in the evolution of Islam, violence was integral to Arabic life at that time. Muhammad struggled to project his message of peace, acceptance, and submission above the sometimes horrific reality of Arabic life in the 7th century. Chopra's author's note, afterward, timeline, and family tree helped clarify the complex history of the times and placed his life in a clearly defined context.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the story was the realization that Muhammad was a man like any other, not a son of God (such as Jesus) nor a transcendent human (such as Buddha). The angel Gabriel chose him as a medium to deliver Allah's message, and the reader clearly sees how Muhammad was forced into the role of reluctant prophet but also military commander, master politician, and sometimes brutal judge in order to ensure the survival of Allah's message. As Chopra notes, "I didn't write this book to make Muhammad more holy. I wrote it to show that holiness was just as confusing, terrifying, and exalting in the 7th century as it would be today."
For more reviews of spiritual/metaphysical novels, see Fiction For A New Age.
4.5 stars: I had braced myself to slog through Deepak Chopra's biographical novel "Muhammad: A Story of the Last Prophet." Instead, I was delightfully surprised by the compelling story of Muhammad's journey from affluent trader to reluctant prophet, and the engagingly lyrical music of the suras (verses) he channeled from Allah.
Story: Although ostensibly a novel, Chopra bookends his story about the Muslim prophet with an author's note and an afterword, offering the reader a history lesson while reflecting on the current relationship between Islam and the rest of the world. The novel emphasizes that of all the founders of the great world religions, Muhammad is the most like us. Muhammad, a merchant who marries a rich widow and routinely travels in caravans as part of his trade, lives a regular life until the day the archangel Gabriel appears and orders the reluctant 40-year-old Muhammad to recite. (To recite, Chopra reminds, is the root word of Koran.) Using multiple first-person narrators--slaves and merchants, hermits, and scribes--he portrays life (including its brutality) on the streets of Mecca. Each chapter is self-contained. Muhammad's wife, Khadijah, laments there have been no warnings that this tumultuous, life-changing event is about to occur; Ali, the first convert, explains how the Prophet approached him. Compellingly told, this is not only good storytelling; it also helps readers, especially non-Muslims, better understand the complexities and contradictions surrounding Islam. (From Booklist)
Spiritual/metaphysical content: Medium. The book focused more on the man than his teachings, which I found to be less than satisfying. I had hoped to gain more insight into the teachings of Islam, although Chopra does describe the five pillars and six core beliefs of Islam, along with some of his other teachings. However, other aspects of the work delighted me. I expected to learn much about Islam, but what I didn't expect was the love of poetry that suffused Arab hearts and the attendant lyricism of Muhammad's suras. I enjoyed the poetry of each sura as much as the message.
Do you not see how he has lengthened the shadows?
the One is He who made the night a garment for you.
He gave you sleep so that you may rest
And the morning sky to be a resurrection.
And
Lo, I swear by the afterglow of sunset,
And by the night and all it enshrouds.
And by the moon when she is at the full,
You will journey to higher and higher worlds.
Another unexpected delight was the wealth of Arabic sayings that were both pithy and poetic: "Fate ... was like a wasp covered in honey. You cannot taste the sweetness without a sting."
My take: In addition to being a simple and easy introduction to the life and teachings of Muhammad and Islam, "Muhammad" proves to be entertaining, historically accurate, and relevant to our times. Chopra's stilted writing style made several of his non-historical novels less than enjoyable to me in the past. However, his short and direct prose works well in the context of this fictionalized biography. By writing each chapter from a different character's perspective, including Muhammad's enemies, Chopra offers fascinating perspective and varies what might otherwise be a monotonal story. The actual events of the Prophet's life provide a thrilling framework fraught with conflict that propels the story forward.
I learned a great deal about Muhammad's life and the rise of Islam. Although much blood was spilled in the evolution of Islam, violence was integral to Arabic life at that time. Muhammad struggled to project his message of peace, acceptance, and submission above the sometimes horrific reality of Arabic life in the 7th century. Chopra's author's note, afterward, timeline, and family tree helped clarify the complex history of the times and placed his life in a clearly defined context.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the story was the realization that Muhammad was a man like any other, not a son of God (such as Jesus) nor a transcendent human (such as Buddha). The angel Gabriel chose him as a medium to deliver Allah's message, and the reader clearly sees how Muhammad was forced into the role of reluctant prophet but also military commander, master politician, and sometimes brutal judge in order to ensure the survival of Allah's message. As Chopra notes, "I didn't write this book to make Muhammad more holy. I wrote it to show that holiness was just as confusing, terrifying, and exalting in the 7th century as it would be today."
For more reviews of spiritual/metaphysical novels, see Fiction For A New Age.
September 24, 2016
I find this one a bit difficult to rate. It was well written, and despite the few little inaccuracies here and there, it stayed fairly faithful to the facts we know about the life of our Prophet Muhammad PBUH. On the other hand, as a Muslim myself, this kind of a book that sort of fictionalizes ( i.e. puts words and gives feelings to the people, whom we respect greatly, that they might have NOT felt or said, hence possibly altering our views on them) the stories I believe in as facts makes me a bit uneasy.
I would recommend reading this along with at least one or two other books that tell the stories of Islam and its Prophet. That way the picture you'll get will be more complete.
I would recommend reading this along with at least one or two other books that tell the stories of Islam and its Prophet. That way the picture you'll get will be more complete.
May 6, 2019
Islam, the world’s second-largest religion, is the most misunderstood religion. This journey of the Prophet Muhammad offers a clear depiction and a better understanding of his life and how it shaped his mission. It gives a reader a chance to be better informed.
Set in 6-7 AD, a time when “slaves were kept and cruelty abused. So were women and unwanted baby girls were routinely left to die on a mountainside after they were born.” Set mostly in Mecca, in a desert valley in western Saudi Arabia, (today, Islam’s holiest city). The seclusion provided by sands of desert gave Mecca a protection it needed from the invaders and a seclusion which gave birth to a new religion.
Muhammad is orphaned by age of six. He grows up surrounded by cousins and extended family.
At a young age, he makes a reputation for himself as a trusted merchant. He makes it through a desert leading safely a caravan for an older merchant, who was too weary to travel.
He marries a rich widow almost twice his age. She had many offers before. But they say, “She was waiting for a pure husband.”
Later, there is a shift in Muhammad’s behavior. Even his four daughters find him aloof. And others claim that he lost his mind. He likes to walk on the slopes of Mount Hira. One day, he finds a cave there, which he cleans and afterwards spends a lot of time there.
The angel Gabriel appears and tells him, he’s God’s chosen one. Now, he understands that “God is not someone you can seek. He is in all things, and always has been.”
He and his followers change one believer at a time. “To protect some of his followers, he sends them across the sea to Abyssinia, where the Christians recognize us as brothers under the same God. A bitter irony, this. Our own blood brothers, the Quraysh, persecute us without mercy.”
Hundreds of ancient Arabian gods have vanquished in favor of one God. “The God of Muhammad has cast down the gods of Arabia. They have crumbled to dust.”
Muhammad becomes the bringer of peace, settling feuds between Jews and Arabs.
The lives of Muhammad and his family are revealed through the lives of other people, for example Bedouin wet nurse, who takes him to the desert and nurses him for the first two years of his life as it was custom. The points of views through which the story is revealed are very interesting, making the story deeply engrossing.
Also, presented with great prose, “She had outlived most of Muhammad’s family with such steel in her spine that she threatened to outlive the rest of us too.”
P.S. The famous “five pillars of Islam” prescribe the duties of the faithful:
- The profession of faith, declaring that Allah is the one God and Muhammad his prophet.
- Prayer, which takes places five times a day facing Mecca, the most sacred place on earth.
- Charity, through the giving of alms to the poor.
- Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
- Pilgrimage, at least once in a lifetime, to Mecca.
There are six core beliefs (one God, prophets/messengers sent by God, angels, books sent by God, judgment day, fate) that would be agreed upon even by sects that otherwise divide along fierce lines like the Sunni and Shia. These beliefs overlap closely with those of both Judaism and Christianity. But no religion can escape the claim that it surmounts all others; often, leading to religious conflicts.
@FB/BestHistoricalFiction
Set in 6-7 AD, a time when “slaves were kept and cruelty abused. So were women and unwanted baby girls were routinely left to die on a mountainside after they were born.” Set mostly in Mecca, in a desert valley in western Saudi Arabia, (today, Islam’s holiest city). The seclusion provided by sands of desert gave Mecca a protection it needed from the invaders and a seclusion which gave birth to a new religion.
Muhammad is orphaned by age of six. He grows up surrounded by cousins and extended family.
At a young age, he makes a reputation for himself as a trusted merchant. He makes it through a desert leading safely a caravan for an older merchant, who was too weary to travel.
He marries a rich widow almost twice his age. She had many offers before. But they say, “She was waiting for a pure husband.”
Later, there is a shift in Muhammad’s behavior. Even his four daughters find him aloof. And others claim that he lost his mind. He likes to walk on the slopes of Mount Hira. One day, he finds a cave there, which he cleans and afterwards spends a lot of time there.
The angel Gabriel appears and tells him, he’s God’s chosen one. Now, he understands that “God is not someone you can seek. He is in all things, and always has been.”
He and his followers change one believer at a time. “To protect some of his followers, he sends them across the sea to Abyssinia, where the Christians recognize us as brothers under the same God. A bitter irony, this. Our own blood brothers, the Quraysh, persecute us without mercy.”
Hundreds of ancient Arabian gods have vanquished in favor of one God. “The God of Muhammad has cast down the gods of Arabia. They have crumbled to dust.”
Muhammad becomes the bringer of peace, settling feuds between Jews and Arabs.
The lives of Muhammad and his family are revealed through the lives of other people, for example Bedouin wet nurse, who takes him to the desert and nurses him for the first two years of his life as it was custom. The points of views through which the story is revealed are very interesting, making the story deeply engrossing.
Also, presented with great prose, “She had outlived most of Muhammad’s family with such steel in her spine that she threatened to outlive the rest of us too.”
P.S. The famous “five pillars of Islam” prescribe the duties of the faithful:
- The profession of faith, declaring that Allah is the one God and Muhammad his prophet.
- Prayer, which takes places five times a day facing Mecca, the most sacred place on earth.
- Charity, through the giving of alms to the poor.
- Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
- Pilgrimage, at least once in a lifetime, to Mecca.
There are six core beliefs (one God, prophets/messengers sent by God, angels, books sent by God, judgment day, fate) that would be agreed upon even by sects that otherwise divide along fierce lines like the Sunni and Shia. These beliefs overlap closely with those of both Judaism and Christianity. But no religion can escape the claim that it surmounts all others; often, leading to religious conflicts.
@FB/BestHistoricalFiction
July 1, 2011
I gave this book one star not because the way it was written but about the content. As a muslim I felt that the writer was very disrespectful & had many hidden negative messages in the words spoken by his characters in the book, whether they were muslims or non-muslim.
I believe that you cannot judge past events and generations on today's standards. & yet they do. Picturing all Arabs as barbaric! Even nowadays condemning other cultures & traditions based on our own!
There are many facts in this book that are false. & many others that I don't know about.
If you want to know more about Islam, I do not recommend this book. But if you want to see how a spiritual scholar views Islam, then go ahead. I do believe that his writings was biased. He has other books about other religions, I didn't read them. Maybe this is how he writes! Condemning all religions as an oppression to humankind & suffocating their free will.
I wonder were the sources he used to write his book!
I believe that you cannot judge past events and generations on today's standards. & yet they do. Picturing all Arabs as barbaric! Even nowadays condemning other cultures & traditions based on our own!
There are many facts in this book that are false. & many others that I don't know about.
If you want to know more about Islam, I do not recommend this book. But if you want to see how a spiritual scholar views Islam, then go ahead. I do believe that his writings was biased. He has other books about other religions, I didn't read them. Maybe this is how he writes! Condemning all religions as an oppression to humankind & suffocating their free will.
I wonder were the sources he used to write his book!
October 21, 2016
لا يمكن لدابة أن تذهب لمكة وتكون حاجة ، بهذه الجملة ينير ديباك تشوبرا الطريق لكشف الروحانية العميقة من خلال تتبع رحلات البشر ، في الكتاب شهادات صامتة حول محمد الإنسان، عن التاريخ المنسي لأعظم رجل في التاريخ.
كتاب فوق التقييم ، ولا ينصح بقراءته، بقدر ما ينصح بعيشه.
كتاب فوق التقييم ، ولا ينصح بقراءته، بقدر ما ينصح بعيشه.
September 28, 2011
As a Muslim, I have read a number of books on the life of Muhammad, but this book stands out as a category of its own.
Firstly the book does not claim to be a work of history, rather it is a work of fiction. The narrative is in the first person, with each of the characters telling their personal story.
The author would have had to have done thorough research before attempting a work of such creativity, while at the same time not contradicting known historical data.
Firstly the book does not claim to be a work of history, rather it is a work of fiction. The narrative is in the first person, with each of the characters telling their personal story.
The author would have had to have done thorough research before attempting a work of such creativity, while at the same time not contradicting known historical data.
April 14, 2011
The first half of the book was better than the latter half. I found Mohammad's background, his early life interesting. I also understand the author's motivation in writing the book - exploring how an apparently common man had the revelation of God. I liked the format of the book - the way the story was narrated through the eyes of the different people in Mohammad's life - his wetnurse, hs wife, his daughter, a beggar, a cousin and so on. I liked the book upto the point when God reveals himself to Mohammad. After that the book went downhill. I am not sure if the author was convinced himself - but Mohammad's mission to spread Islam across the world, all the tribal wars, the justification to do the wars, becoming a strategist in warfare, convincing oneself that the actions done were the direct result of God's instructions, the slaughter and rape of woman and children....all that - I did not care for. Why is it neccesary for God to have his message spread everywhere? Shouldn't people who want to be enlightened about God go to the messenger? Why is there the need for force to convert people to a faith?
April 12, 2011
I read this with my book club. I don't think I would have ever read it on my own, but I'm glad that I did. I know so little about Muhammad and Islam in general so it was good to learn the story of their prophet. However, the author is not Muslim and I think I would like to hear a Muslim's perspective on Muhammad.
January 27, 2012
This is a quick read, and it was interesting to imagine how people would have reacted to Muhammad in the early days of his revelation, as well as how challenging the situation was for him. Each chapter is written from the perspective of a different character, which gives a nice sense of how different factions reacted as well as people closer to him. The afterword bothered me, as Chopra presents a very orthodox picture of islam as Islam itself. He goes on to talk about Sufism in very positive terms, but seems to make a distinction between Islam and Sufism, rather than seeing that the Sufi approach to Islam demonstrates that Islam is not monolithic nor does it have to be interpreted dogmatically. In short, the novel itself is worth reading, but the afterword only feeds into existing prejudices and stereotypes about Islam.
January 17, 2012
Muhammad - A Story of the Last Prophet was released in the US during a time of re-heightened tensions against Islam. Americans were protesting the building of an Islamic Centre in New York several blocks away from ground zero as it rekindled memories of the horrific attacks in 2011. The decision to launch the book at such a time could have been an opportune one by the publisher, harnessing the mass curiosity that people had with the most influential man ever in the history of mankind.
The novel takes on different vantage points of characters that have encountered Muhammad at various stages of his life. From his father Abdullah, his wet nurse the Bedouin Halimah, daughter Zaynab and several other colourful individuals like the prostitute Jasmine. But taken in its sum, these different vantage depicts very well the social, political and even economic climate in Mecca 1400 years ago when tribal loyalties rule, oppression against the weak were rampant and belief in the idols dictated every single aspect of life. Convincing people to abandon their traditional Gods and take on monotheism was indeed a monumental feat for a goat herder who could neither read nor write.
The author has made it very clear that the work is a novel. It is not meant to be a historical documentary nor is it an accurate depiction of actual events. But despite that, he has done fairly well in painting the context and environment upon which Islam was born. This goes a long way in helping the casual observer understand why Islam was revealed upon humankind.
The novel takes on different vantage points of characters that have encountered Muhammad at various stages of his life. From his father Abdullah, his wet nurse the Bedouin Halimah, daughter Zaynab and several other colourful individuals like the prostitute Jasmine. But taken in its sum, these different vantage depicts very well the social, political and even economic climate in Mecca 1400 years ago when tribal loyalties rule, oppression against the weak were rampant and belief in the idols dictated every single aspect of life. Convincing people to abandon their traditional Gods and take on monotheism was indeed a monumental feat for a goat herder who could neither read nor write.
The author has made it very clear that the work is a novel. It is not meant to be a historical documentary nor is it an accurate depiction of actual events. But despite that, he has done fairly well in painting the context and environment upon which Islam was born. This goes a long way in helping the casual observer understand why Islam was revealed upon humankind.
March 18, 2012
Well, it was interesting. The first third was interesting, about Muhammad growing up an orphan and snippets of his life and personality viewed through third parties. The second third was also interesting, with Muhammad being exposed to the intrigues of his time and eventually seeing the angel of prophecy. The third part was rather daunting, having to read about Muhammad's struggles with hostility and persecution and fighting his way. The last story about putting a group of Jews to death and reducing the families to slavery just turned my stomach.
I liked learning about the historical presence of the Kaaba and the Zamzam well in Mecca. But I was disturbed by the strife and intrigue among the arab tribes: it seems to me that very little has changed in centuries. Still so much hostility and affinity for intrigue and strife.
Sigh!
I liked learning about the historical presence of the Kaaba and the Zamzam well in Mecca. But I was disturbed by the strife and intrigue among the arab tribes: it seems to me that very little has changed in centuries. Still so much hostility and affinity for intrigue and strife.
Sigh!
March 31, 2024
محاولة إخضاع قداسه النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم الى بشرية الإنسان في قالب روائي يثير التساؤلات حول مغزى الكاتب من طرح سيرة النبي "ص"بشيء من الإساءة والقدح في ثوب معجب او قارئ للتاريخ..بها الكثير من الأخطاء التاريخية.. والكثير من التزييف والتحوير ع الرسالة المحمدية والتركيز ع العلاقة مع اليهود وطردهم من الجزيرة دون ذكر السبب الرئيسي لذلك... الكارثة تكمن في أن يعتبر البعض هذه الرواية مرجع تاريخي.. هي بالمختصر رؤس اقلام من السيرة بنى الكاتب عليها روايته ومقاصده غير السوية برأيي. دون مراعاة لـ التراتب الزمني لها ولا حتى التدقيق في صحتها ....
السطور الأخيرة بالرواية ربما توضح مقاصد الكاتب وما يعتمر في نفسه كونه من جهابذة علم التنمية البشرية 👎
السطور الأخيرة بالرواية ربما توضح مقاصد الكاتب وما يعتمر في نفسه كونه من جهابذة علم التنمية البشرية 👎
January 30, 2021
Skaisti izstāstīts stāsts par reliģiskām atklāsmēm briesmīgā pasaulē. Muhameda laika Arābija ir nežēlīga un atriebīga vide - asinsnaids, dzīvības nevērtība, nogalināšanas un spīdzināšanas pašsaprotamība, ko ieskauj tuksnesis. Tādēļ no šīs sabiedrības pat aiziet var tikai nomirt no slāpēm smiltīs un arābu ciltis ir iespundētas vienas savā nežēlībā. Šajā bezizejā Muhameda vīzijas sniedz citu redzējumu un atrisinājuma iespēju.
Tā tas būtu jālasa. Bet es izlasīju galvenokārt stāstu par to, cik nežēlīgs cilvēks spēj būt, arī ar vīziju.
Tā tas būtu jālasa. Bet es izlasīju galvenokārt stāstu par to, cik nežēlīgs cilvēks spēj būt, arī ar vīziju.
February 3, 2014
I’m very interested in learning about the story behind each religion, and how it developed. Obviously, I didn't get the chance to study every religion; however, many of my readings and academic studies revolved around Abrahamic religions. This being said, this book lacks historical accuracy. After reading “Quran” (Muslims holy book) and many historical books about Islam, I noticed that a great deal of information provided is wrong or twisted.
Now I’m interested to read his book about Jesus and check its accuracy. Hopefully, it is not a trend for him to drop historical accuracy in the sake of story development.
This is a fiction book that revolves around a well-known historical character. The book is very well written. Deepak did a great job in making the reader involved, especially in the first third of the book. The only reason I'm giving this book 1 star is because of it historical inaccuracy.
I wouldn't recommend this book to someone who wants to learn about Muhammad; nonetheless, it is a good book if you have a background on Islam and looking for good fiction story about Islam that provides a different perspective.
Now I’m interested to read his book about Jesus and check its accuracy. Hopefully, it is not a trend for him to drop historical accuracy in the sake of story development.
This is a fiction book that revolves around a well-known historical character. The book is very well written. Deepak did a great job in making the reader involved, especially in the first third of the book. The only reason I'm giving this book 1 star is because of it historical inaccuracy.
I wouldn't recommend this book to someone who wants to learn about Muhammad; nonetheless, it is a good book if you have a background on Islam and looking for good fiction story about Islam that provides a different perspective.
March 21, 2011
This is one of those books that jumped off the library shelf, right into my path. I am glad I read it because I learned so much - about the incredible rise of Islam and its appeal, and about the life of Muhammad. I know about the life of Christ and Buddha, but next to nothing about Muhammad. This is a novel, but the author did his research as far as dates, genealogy, and the chronology of events. It was very readable; each chapter using a different voice from Muhammad's life. It was kind of like Bible stories, but I didn't have to read the Koran to get the facts.
If you are interested in Muhammad and the growth of Islam, and don't want the history books, I recommend this little book that sheds a different light on Muhammad. As the author says "I didn't write this book to make Muhammad more holy. I wrote it to show that holiness was just as confusing, terrifying, and exalting in the seventh century as it would be today."
If you are interested in Muhammad and the growth of Islam, and don't want the history books, I recommend this little book that sheds a different light on Muhammad. As the author says "I didn't write this book to make Muhammad more holy. I wrote it to show that holiness was just as confusing, terrifying, and exalting in the seventh century as it would be today."
April 6, 2011
I'm less than versed in the history of Islam (although not so bad as the guy at Barnes and Noble who asked when it was founded and I said around 600. He thought I meant BC. And when I corrected him he said, "No, it was before Christ." No. No it wasn't.) so it's an interesting experience to read an account of its founder becoming its founder. I like the approach he took of creating the story out of different accounts from different people around Muhammad. I don't know that it would be a worthy introduction to the religion of Islam, of course, but as far as giving some insight into the life of a highly controversial character, it's pretty effective. And Chopra's a damn good writer, in case anyone was wondering.
August 5, 2012
This is a reinvention of the wheel with rather questionable innovations. Especially since facts are altered rather than simply expanded upon, making it historically inaccurate. Chopra's heavy handed fictionalization takes away from what was already an amazing story. In fact, I would argue that you come away from it knowing less, not more, about Islam.
August 30, 2011
Interesting, wish I knew historically how much was close to the truth.
July 16, 2023
Why the hell one would write about something one doesn’t know about? How can you pen down things on a sacred personality whose every word is considered authentic & holds meaning.
Stupidest book I ever read.
Stupidest book I ever read.
January 20, 2025
::انطباع عام وكفى::
===========
هذه الرواية هي محض دجل كامل. كتبها ديباك ذلك الدجال صاحب أسطورة الكوانتم في الطب البديل -ربما- ليدعم هيكله الأسطوري الروحاني الذي يبنيه في مؤسسته الروحانية الطبية. وهي رواية ذكية تقنيًا، ربما استعان بالكثير من المختصين في مجالات الكتابة لكي يخرجوها له بهذه الهيئة الأدبية التي سوف يفضلها أي قارئ عصري - فهي مقسمة إلى فصول مرتبة ترتيبًا أنيقًا، علاوة على أن كل فصل يحتوي على بطل من أبطال القصة يرويها من وجهة نظره هو بصيغة الأنا المتكلم، وكذلك اختيار حداثي للكلمات، وبناء ذكي للبيئة الصحراوية في ذلك الوقت، علاوة على استخدام تقنية الأصوات الداخلية لكي تجعل القارئ ينسحر بفكرة الغوص داخل شخصيات القصة. وفي المحصلة، تجد نفسك كقارئ مسحورًا بالقصة، لكنك مضحوك عليك بشكل كامل. إنها طريقة كل الدجالين الذين يستخدمون تقنيات معينة في العرض اللغوي تجعل المتلقي يظن أنه يسمع شيئًا ساحرًا، لكن بعد قليل من التأمل في المحتوى الحقيقي لهذا الكلام بغض النظر عن بهرجته السرديّة - ستجد أنك أمام هراء محض.
لقد استغل ديباك فكرة إنسيّة النبي محمد، ونسج حولها روايته لكي يجعل من النبي إنسانًا عاديًا يمكنه أن يتناوله من حيث سيكولوجية عصرية ويصفه بكل التناحرات والتداخلات الطبيعية في سعي إنسان عادي نحو الانتصار على بيئته التي اضطهدته ووقفت ضد رسالة نجاحه. كل هذا غيض من فيض. لأن الداهية الحقيقية، أن معظم الحقائق التاريخية التي يستند عليها ديباك في الرواية كلها تلفيق، ومبنية على شذرات من الحقائق وأطنان من الأخيلة الروائية المثيرة للغثيان (انظر مثلاً تفسيره للنور الذي كان مرئيًا عند والد النبي أن امرأة متزوجة أرادت أن تزني به وراودته عن نفسه وسحبته من قميصه لكي ينام معها، لكنه رفض لأنه في هذه الليلة سوف ينام مع زوجته آمنة والدة النبي، لكنه في الليل بعد نوم زوجته يتسلل لكي يذهب لهذه الزوجة يزني بها، فيرمي حجرًا على شباكها، فتقول له أن يرحل من هنا لأن النور الذي كان بين عينيه قد ذهب لأنه نام مع زوجته وحصلت على النور منه وستنجب منه طفلاً يحمله، بينما كانت هي تريد لابنها هذا النور ولهذا طلبته للفراش) - كلمة واحدة على هذا المثال الفج: ما هذا الهراء؟! حتى روائيًا هو غير قابل للتصديق، فما بالك تاريخيًا؟ بل فما بالك أن عادات العرب كانت أصلاً يستحيل وفقًا لها أن تراود امرأة متزوجة رجلاً تعرف أنه متزوج حتى لو رأت عنقاء بين عينيه!
إنها رواية دجل على غرار رواية الخيميائي، يتم استغلال قصة النبي وما تحمله من روحانيات تدغدغ المشاعر لكي تسلب لب القراء وتستميلهم نحو الأفكار المبطنة التي يسحبهم من خلالها ديباك لكي يحجزوا عنده جلسة علاج بالكوانتم أو لتحسين حياتهم للأفضل!!!
يا ليتني لم أشتر هذا الكتاب!
*.*.*.*.*.*.*
===========
هذه الرواية هي محض دجل كامل. كتبها ديباك ذلك الدجال صاحب أسطورة الكوانتم في الطب البديل -ربما- ليدعم هيكله الأسطوري الروحاني الذي يبنيه في مؤسسته الروحانية الطبية. وهي رواية ذكية تقنيًا، ربما استعان بالكثير من المختصين في مجالات الكتابة لكي يخرجوها له بهذه الهيئة الأدبية التي سوف يفضلها أي قارئ عصري - فهي مقسمة إلى فصول مرتبة ترتيبًا أنيقًا، علاوة على أن كل فصل يحتوي على بطل من أبطال القصة يرويها من وجهة نظره هو بصيغة الأنا المتكلم، وكذلك اختيار حداثي للكلمات، وبناء ذكي للبيئة الصحراوية في ذلك الوقت، علاوة على استخدام تقنية الأصوات الداخلية لكي تجعل القارئ ينسحر بفكرة الغوص داخل شخصيات القصة. وفي المحصلة، تجد نفسك كقارئ مسحورًا بالقصة، لكنك مضحوك عليك بشكل كامل. إنها طريقة كل الدجالين الذين يستخدمون تقنيات معينة في العرض اللغوي تجعل المتلقي يظن أنه يسمع شيئًا ساحرًا، لكن بعد قليل من التأمل في المحتوى الحقيقي لهذا الكلام بغض النظر عن بهرجته السرديّة - ستجد أنك أمام هراء محض.
لقد استغل ديباك فكرة إنسيّة النبي محمد، ونسج حولها روايته لكي يجعل من النبي إنسانًا عاديًا يمكنه أن يتناوله من حيث سيكولوجية عصرية ويصفه بكل التناحرات والتداخلات الطبيعية في سعي إنسان عادي نحو الانتصار على بيئته التي اضطهدته ووقفت ضد رسالة نجاحه. كل هذا غيض من فيض. لأن الداهية الحقيقية، أن معظم الحقائق التاريخية التي يستند عليها ديباك في الرواية كلها تلفيق، ومبنية على شذرات من الحقائق وأطنان من الأخيلة الروائية المثيرة للغثيان (انظر مثلاً تفسيره للنور الذي كان مرئيًا عند والد النبي أن امرأة متزوجة أرادت أن تزني به وراودته عن نفسه وسحبته من قميصه لكي ينام معها، لكنه رفض لأنه في هذه الليلة سوف ينام مع زوجته آمنة والدة النبي، لكنه في الليل بعد نوم زوجته يتسلل لكي يذهب لهذه الزوجة يزني بها، فيرمي حجرًا على شباكها، فتقول له أن يرحل من هنا لأن النور الذي كان بين عينيه قد ذهب لأنه نام مع زوجته وحصلت على النور منه وستنجب منه طفلاً يحمله، بينما كانت هي تريد لابنها هذا النور ولهذا طلبته للفراش) - كلمة واحدة على هذا المثال الفج: ما هذا الهراء؟! حتى روائيًا هو غير قابل للتصديق، فما بالك تاريخيًا؟ بل فما بالك أن عادات العرب كانت أصلاً يستحيل وفقًا لها أن تراود امرأة متزوجة رجلاً تعرف أنه متزوج حتى لو رأت عنقاء بين عينيه!
إنها رواية دجل على غرار رواية الخيميائي، يتم استغلال قصة النبي وما تحمله من روحانيات تدغدغ المشاعر لكي تسلب لب القراء وتستميلهم نحو الأفكار المبطنة التي يسحبهم من خلالها ديباك لكي يحجزوا عنده جلسة علاج بالكوانتم أو لتحسين حياتهم للأفضل!!!
يا ليتني لم أشتر هذا الكتاب!
*.*.*.*.*.*.*
January 10, 2011
OK as historical fiction, not so good as fiction. I use historical fiction to fill myself in on areas where I'm weak without having to delve though dense, fact-filled tomes. This book did the trick for me on the life of Muhammad. It presented views of Muhammad and his forebears through the voices of various persons in Mecca and Medina who had personal contact with them. I assume that the major events depicted were actual events that are believed to have happened in the life of Muhammad. Novelistically, the book did not seem to go anywhere, to make any point.
The view of early Islam is somewhat scary. Allah is out for blood--it's not possible to subsume Islam into a non-Islamic state. Islamic is a total way of life, including personal life and governance. Allah and Muhammad are particularly hard on a group of Jews who seemed to have betrayed Muhammad by making a deal with Islam's foes, and then to try to come back into Islam's fold. Muhammad appoints a judge to decide those Jews' fates, and then carried out the judge's decision that all the men should be beheaded, and all their wives and daughters enslaved. Muhammad was a mean dude, and Allah is a mean god.
It's also clear why Islam became popular in Arab lands: Allah was already a big deal, but idols were a major part of everyday religion. The native religion was based on a caste system, where the rich were able to gain redemption, and the poor were left spiritually and materially bereft. Islam offered a spiritual equality accepting the Islam and practicing its five pillars. As Islam was able to build and conquer, those who succumbed to the religion became part of an inner group, a higher caste based on spirit rather than wealth, but which could lead to material comfort.
The view of early Islam is somewhat scary. Allah is out for blood--it's not possible to subsume Islam into a non-Islamic state. Islamic is a total way of life, including personal life and governance. Allah and Muhammad are particularly hard on a group of Jews who seemed to have betrayed Muhammad by making a deal with Islam's foes, and then to try to come back into Islam's fold. Muhammad appoints a judge to decide those Jews' fates, and then carried out the judge's decision that all the men should be beheaded, and all their wives and daughters enslaved. Muhammad was a mean dude, and Allah is a mean god.
It's also clear why Islam became popular in Arab lands: Allah was already a big deal, but idols were a major part of everyday religion. The native religion was based on a caste system, where the rich were able to gain redemption, and the poor were left spiritually and materially bereft. Islam offered a spiritual equality accepting the Islam and practicing its five pillars. As Islam was able to build and conquer, those who succumbed to the religion became part of an inner group, a higher caste based on spirit rather than wealth, but which could lead to material comfort.
December 25, 2013
I've read a number of biographies on the Arabian Prophet and found this book an interesting departure from the usual presentation. Deepak Chopra's novel is uniquely told through the eyes of friends, family members, and even enemies. This style brought an immediacy and vibrancy to the life of the Prophet, not to be found elsewhere. The author keeps the language simple and easy to understand, and it is this style that contributes to bringing the life of seventh century Arabia alive on the pages. We get a deep sense of the humanity of the extraordinary person that Muhammad was, his search for answers from a greater being and the profound impact on his life when he received the first revelation of the Quran via the angel, Gabriel. We see how the Prophet made enemies in his struggle to convince his community to worship one God as opposed to the hundreds of idols they followed. Not because they didn't agree with the message, but because they stood to lose tons of revenue from the visitors to Mecca who trekked to the holy city to visit the sacred house built by Prophet Abraham and his son. To write a story on the life of a man who brought a faith followed by almost 2 billion people is enough to send any writer for cover, but Chopra handles the subject matter with tact and diplomacy without pulling any punches where he felt he needed to. Chopra's characters are well drawn from what must have been a huge amount of research. The book never attempts to be a narration on the entire life story of the Prophet, yet the author was able to take you through his life with snippets as told through the eyes of his wife, his daughter, a Jewish holy man etc. It makes for a fascinating read and definitely worth a look at.
February 3, 2020
"صحيحٌ ما رأيتُ النور من وجهك
ولا يوماً سمعتُ العذب من صوتك
ولا يوماً حملتُ السيف في ركبك
ولا يوماً تطاير من هنا غضبي كجمر النار
..
ولكن يا نبي الله
أنا والله أحببتك"
..
يصحبنا "ديباك شوبرا" في رواية خيالية عن حياة نبينا وحبيبنا محمد عليه أفضل الصلاة والسلام، مستنداً على بعض الروايات والوقائع التي حدثت في حياة النبي.. وقد تحدث بلسان بعض الأشخاص الذي عاصروا النبي كجده عبد المطلب، والراهب بحيرا، حليمة السعدية، أبو بكر الصديق، بنات الرسول فاطمة ورقية، وغيرهم..
..
حيث يروي القصة المطهرة على لسانهم ومن وجهة نظر كل واحدٍ منهم، بحيث أن طريقة السرد والحوار لا تمس بشخص النبي المكرم من كل عيبٍ ونقص، بل يُظهر لنا مدى رزانته وتواضعه وحلمه مع أقرب الناس إليه، ومدى شدته وقوة بأسه على من عادى الدين..
ولا يوماً سمعتُ العذب من صوتك
ولا يوماً حملتُ السيف في ركبك
ولا يوماً تطاير من هنا غضبي كجمر النار
..
ولكن يا نبي الله
أنا والله أحببتك"
..
يصحبنا "ديباك شوبرا" في رواية خيالية عن حياة نبينا وحبيبنا محمد عليه أفضل الصلاة والسلام، مستنداً على بعض الروايات والوقائع التي حدثت في حياة النبي.. وقد تحدث بلسان بعض الأشخاص الذي عاصروا النبي كجده عبد المطلب، والراهب بحيرا، حليمة السعدية، أبو بكر الصديق، بنات الرسول فاطمة ورقية، وغيرهم..
..
حيث يروي القصة المطهرة على لسانهم ومن وجهة نظر كل واحدٍ منهم، بحيث أن طريقة السرد والحوار لا تمس بشخص النبي المكرم من كل عيبٍ ونقص، بل يُظهر لنا مدى رزانته وتواضعه وحلمه مع أقرب الناس إليه، ومدى شدته وقوة بأسه على من عادى الدين..
March 3, 2012
This is my second novel on Muhammad and I frankly find his story fascinating. What made this book special was the spirituality that was woven into the story complete with verse from the Koran and references to Christianity and Judaism. I remain perplexed by the images of such a gentle yet violent prophet; so unlike images we have of Jesus or Buddha. It is no wonder that we have such a diversity among Muslims. I read Chopra's novel on Jesus and plan on reading the one on Buddha. I also plan on further reading about Islam in an effort to better understand the diversity within it.
Currently reading
September 27, 2010As Muslims we take somethings for granted.. For a human to receive the responsibility of spreading a new religion !! This is for sure out of the ordenrly .. Reading the story with a different eye gave me the ability to imagine how fearious it must have been.. Bering touched by an angle!!
Muslims,, listen to me, it's about time we don't take our Islam for granted, it's time to think more deeply about it and sense it's power and bueaty in our life..
Muslims,, listen to me, it's about time we don't take our Islam for granted, it's time to think more deeply about it and sense it's power and bueaty in our life..
March 3, 2015
I wouldn't recommend this book to those who want to learn about Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). As some had said, I also felt some resentment in the words written by the author. A much better alternative would be "Muhammad: His life based on the earliest sources" by Martin Lings or "Muhammad:Man of God" by Seyyed Hossein Nasr.
March 23, 2017
1 star less for printing mistakes. Generally it's an interesting book.
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Nic mnie tak nie irytuje jak literówki więc gwiazdka w dół.
Ogólnie ciekawie opowiedziana historia, choć mi najbardziej pasowało historyczne posłowie.
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Nic mnie tak nie irytuje jak literówki więc gwiazdka w dół.
Ogólnie ciekawie opowiedziana historia, choć mi najbardziej pasowało historyczne posłowie.
October 20, 2013
exceptional book. Made me know Muhammed, Fatimah, Ali, Waraqah, ABdullah and Amina Muhammad's parents in different way, yet a great one.
February 25, 2026
"في نزهتي مع محمد وجدت أن كل مفهوم مسبق هو ظالم. فما تركه محمد للعالم يتشابك مع كل مافينا من خير وشر"
"على ضوء ما انجز محمد فانه يرتقي بآمالنا ، نحن الذين نعيش حياة عادية، أنه قد يمسنا ما هو إلهي. أما القرآن فيستحق مكانته باعتباره أنشودة الروح، كما يستحق كل احتفاء حيثما يهتم الإنسان بالروح"
أثارني الفضول عندما رأيت اسم المؤلف، متساءلة عما يمكن لشوبرا ، وكيف عن نبينا محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم، ربما أراد هو الآخر التنقيب عن "النبي الأخير" كما وصف.
توقعت الكتاب يحكي عما وجد في شخص رسولنا الأكرم، رحلته لكنه قام بكتاية سيرة عنه ، على لسان شخصيات عايشت حياته.
ربما يفيد الكتاب القارئ الأجنبي التعرف بحيادية على رحلة النبي محمد عليه الصلاة والسلام، لكن هو لا يقدم شيئا لأمثالي، ولا حتى نواحي روحانية كما اتى في الوصف بغلاف الكتاب الأخير .
لم يعجبني ارفاق المترجم ل (ص) بجانب اسم محمد طوال الرواية ، فهذا تدخل شخصي منه لا اظنه موجود في النسخة الانجليزية!!!
أضعت وقتًا؟ لا أدري
مازلت مستغربة من دافع ديباك، لم أفهمه صراحة .
كتاب لا أنصح به.
"على ضوء ما انجز محمد فانه يرتقي بآمالنا ، نحن الذين نعيش حياة عادية، أنه قد يمسنا ما هو إلهي. أما القرآن فيستحق مكانته باعتباره أنشودة الروح، كما يستحق كل احتفاء حيثما يهتم الإنسان بالروح"
أثارني الفضول عندما رأيت اسم المؤلف، متساءلة عما يمكن لشوبرا ، وكيف عن نبينا محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم، ربما أراد هو الآخر التنقيب عن "النبي الأخير" كما وصف.
توقعت الكتاب يحكي عما وجد في شخص رسولنا الأكرم، رحلته لكنه قام بكتاية سيرة عنه ، على لسان شخصيات عايشت حياته.
ربما يفيد الكتاب القارئ الأجنبي التعرف بحيادية على رحلة النبي محمد عليه الصلاة والسلام، لكن هو لا يقدم شيئا لأمثالي، ولا حتى نواحي روحانية كما اتى في الوصف بغلاف الكتاب الأخير .
لم يعجبني ارفاق المترجم ل (ص) بجانب اسم محمد طوال الرواية ، فهذا تدخل شخصي منه لا اظنه موجود في النسخة الانجليزية!!!
أضعت وقتًا؟ لا أدري
مازلت مستغربة من دافع ديباك، لم أفهمه صراحة .
كتاب لا أنصح به.
November 14, 2021
Not as good as Buddha, another book by this author, but worth reading. Last chapter is best as he summarizes Islam.
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