Just like the printed version of The Simple Seerah, this audibook revolutonises the Seerah learning experience. This audibook is designed to be immersive and enjoyable to listen to, narrated in simple English for the whole family.
The Arabic word ‘Seerah’ is the term used by many Muslims around the world when referring to the life of the last and final messenger of God, Muhammad (peace be upon him.) He lived an incredible life, filled with challenges and adventures, battles, miracles and so much more!
If someone didn’t tell you that everything inside this book was a true story, you’d think it was all made up. That’s how incredible The Seerah is.
The beautiful thing about the life of Muhammad (PBUH) is that it’s filled with many lessons that we can apply to our own lives today. As you listen through this book, you’ll reflect on your own life and how you can improve it and improve yourself. We hope you enjoy this book and make The Simple Seerah a companion for the rest of your life.
beautifully written in a novel-like style, perfect for children and teens! would defo recommend giving this book to ur little humans to get them started on the seerah of the Prophet pbuh! will be excitedly waiting for the second part :) may Allah swt bless the authors of this book, ameen <3
I’ve only read the first paragraph but im already loving the style
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I absolutely loved the way this was written, in a very much story-like fashion, something that Asim Khan is good at both on paper and in person. It makes it much more accessible and engaging, especially for younger readers.
This book really did meet it's objective. It was fun to read and really did increase me in my understanding of the Seerah.
I have read books such as "The Sealed Nectar" and "When The Moon Split". But I would have to say this tops them all.
The key reason is that most Muslims do not know the seerah as well as we should, therefore putting it a 400+ page book could make it difficult and slightly alienate them to it.
That is why this book is the best starting point ever, not only is it entertaining and sets up characters and scenes in a similar ways to classic novels, it is also lays a great foundation in learning the seerah.
This is without doubt the best starting point for any English speaking Muslim to be introduced to the seerah. Another overwhelming benefit of this book are the moments of reflection at the end of each chapter that can inspire deep conversation, that I feel other Seerah books severely lacked.
This book managed to fill in all the voids the other Seerah books had. However, once finishing parts 1 and 2 of this book, I think Muslims would enjoy "The Sealed Nectar" far more as they would already have a base understanding of the seerah.
My favourite chapter was the "End of Knowledge" Chapter and my favourite moment in the book was when the Prophet (Saw) looked back at Mecca at what he thought could be his last time and said goodbye.
May Allah reward you and your family for your efforts
P.S Please make a sequel series about the 4 rightly guided Caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali)
This is a great way to get younger generations reading something as intricate as the seerah, in a simple, yet engaging manner. Most seerah books are written at a very academic level, so this is a refreshing change, and one that is needed to engage younger generations. The chapters are just the right length to keep the reader engaged. The writing could have possibly been a bit bigger, but this may just be me showing my age!
Personally it took a while to get in to this as the style took a while to get used to, as I'm used to reading a different style/more academic style of writing usually. But it was completed in a few sittings as the pace picked up. Learnt a few new things, or the finer details that I've never noticed along the way alhamdu lillah.
One thing I would have liked to see however is SAW and RA after people's names, even if it was just written in it's shortest form. And also would have liked to have seen the Arabic names of the Prophets (pbut) instead of the biblical names (the biblical names could have been mentioned in brackets). Hoping that this will have been changed in Part Two.
A good read for anyone who wants to learn about the seerah in an accessible, engaging and easy to imagine in the mind's eye way.
So good subhanallah! This is definitely my favorite Islamic book so far! Asim Khan has a way of making challenging my topics not easy to understand, but also captivating. I definitely plan on reading a physical copy and eventually rereading my audiobook copy (it’s complete with sound effects!)
This book was gifted to me to read and to offer a view on its suitability for young readers. I must admit my first thoughts were, I will probably not like this book and thought about how I can avoid passing an opinion on something that doesn’t fulfil me with any degree of passion.
The book was divided into fourteen short chapters and 182 pages which made it easy to manage and reading didn’t become too onerous.
When I looked at the name of the book ‘Seerah’, I was initially unsure of its meaning but as I read the first chapter I understood its meaning to be about travelling a journey whilst walking in the footsteps of another person and it was this very apt title that set the scene right at the start and which captured my attention; from this point I was unable to put the book down until I reached the very last chapter leaving me hungry and wanting for more. When I finished chapter fourteen I really did feel like an emaciated adolescent craving for more.
Part One of the book covers the first part of Muhammad’s (ﷺ) life up to the period of the Hijrah commanding him and the first Muslim community on their migration, known as the ‘Hijrah’ to Yathrib which was the ancient Arabic name for Medina, and which effectively started Year One of the Islamic calendar more widely recognised has the year 622 AD in the Gregorian calendar.
The book offers an intense level of human realisation by making an ardent story line more appealing consequently, the reader experiences a degree of storytelling which operates at a deeper consciousness than the plot. The reader therefore, can feel that they’re in the presence of a real story.
The most enthralling chapter in the book was Chapter Nine ‘Strategic Thinking’. This part of the book offers a more concise insight into the thinking and vision of Muhammad and how he was able to cope with the animosity and hate he experienced on a daily basis from those who were previously close to him in their relationship by kinship or childhood friendships. It was during this period of his life that Muhammad (ﷺ) decided to send a delegation to Abyssinia where some of followers would seek refuge from a Christian King.
King Najashi asked the Muslim travellers why they sought refuge in his kingdom and the leader of the group Ja’far replied that he comes from the people who are steeped in ignorance and savagery, who worship idols while neglecting the rights of the families and neighbours. The Quraysh tribe are seeking to kill the `Muslim community and for this reason, their Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) guided them to Abyssinia and seek the protection of the Abyssinian King. The visitors were granted the Kings permission to remain as long as they wished under his protection.
The book was written as if it was aiming to satisfy two distinct audiences the young and the not so young.
Although it was written in a language which is easy to understand and follow but it was attempting to fleetingly cover a story line which needed some penetration consequently, leaving the not so young wanting more content. So, although there was no real attempt to rush this book, but there were sections in the publication that needed greater gravity and clarity.
With few intellectual details throughout the book, this restricted a sturdy relationship between the reader and the author and therefore this was probably one of the few challenges this book had to offer.
A very good read, certainly not a slow burner however, it did need improved gravitas. The age group for this book would probably between 12 to 20 year old and those who are less well versed with regular reading habits
"The Simple Seerah: Part One" by @asim_khan21c & Toyris Miah is, hands down, one of the best (if not only!) seerah resources aimed at middle grade readers. The secret to its success lies in how the life of RasulAllah (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) - from birth until the hijrah - is related in a vibrant storytelling style.
Relying upon classical sources of seerah such as Ibn Is'haq's Sirat RasulAllah, Ibn Sa'd's Tabaqaat, atTabari's Tareekh, & Ibn Kathir's AsSeerah anNabawiyyah, the authors have woven together the many historical narrations about RasulAllah's biography in an easy to understand manner that vividly brings every chapter to life. I really enjoyed the glimpses we got of certain events from the perspectives of specific Companions - it made the seerah that much more exciting and accessible.
I would liken this book's style to Shaykha Fatima Barkatullah's book on Khadijah (ra); in fact, the two would make excellent companion books!
Personally, I'm glad to see that the creative storytelling style is becoming popularized - up until now, it was often severely frowned upon as taking too many liberties with the seerah. I hope we see more like this from Muslim authors & publishers inshaAllah!
Critique: it does need some editing to tighten up sentences & ease up on the liberal use of adjectives. It probably wouldn't bother most people, but my writer/editor brain kept trying to fix it as I was reading lol
Do you want to feel like you are in the company of the prophet ( s.a.w) ?!
Do you want to know how he was like to the ones around him? Do you want to learn about compassion? About emotional intelligence?
He noticed the things others didn’t. His heart was gigantic- he cared. Like really cared!
About everyone , even the animals , plants . Everyone around him felt his presence. If you want to fall in love with a man who’s mercy was open to all . This is the book for you. I guarantee you, your imaan will thank you. I guarantee you, your heart will shift , you will feel his love through reading this book. You will yarn for the meeting with your beloved prophet Muhammad ( s.a.w)
I miss a man I never met . I pray Allah swt honors me and you and allows us both to be blessed with his presence in jannah.
Written in a very simple yet engaging way, this is a really good and refreshing read about the life of Prophet Muhammad SAW especially for teenagers and young kids. Highly recommended too for adults looking for a quick read to refresh your memory.
a very good introduction to the seerah. It's not very intense with the details, but it gives just enough. This isn't meant to be an in-depth historical account of his (SAW) life. It's just a start, but it puts that curiosity in you to keep learning. I especially love the way it ended with a reminder on tawakkul.
“Muhammed ﷺ loved his people and desired a bright future for them, a future of peace, justice, and true faith in Allah. In the comforting confines of the cave, he sat in silence, eyes closed and heart searching."
Using captivating storytelling to present an overview of the key events in the life of the Messenger ﷺ , The Simple Seerah is a unique series that makes the biography of the Messenger ﷺ more accessible and easy to understand. Although the series was produced with children in mind, it appeals to a wide audience, including teenagers and those who may not have studied the Seerah before.
While there are many resources available for English-speakers to learn about the Prophet ﷺ, much of the literature can be dense with information and facts. This can be disengaging for a younger or non-academic crowd who are often only engaged when information is conveyed in a more compelling, straightforward manner.
The Simple Seerah addresses this by focusing on the major events in the life of the Prophet ﷺ so that the reader is not overwhelmed by historical/political details. Historical context is still provided to set the scene and references to dates are kept to a minimum. The author uses descriptive language that enables the reader to immerse him or herself into the story. Supplementary illustrations throughout the book also allow the reader to visualise life during the early days of Islam in Mecca, when idol worship in and around the Ka’ba was rife.
The first book in this series recounts the main events of the life of the Prophet ﷺ; beginning just before his blessed birth and ending with the migration to Medina (then Yathrib). Key events during this time include: marriage to Khadijah (ra), the first revelation from Allah (SWT), the encounter with Jibreel (as), early migration of the companions to Abyssinia, the Year of Sadness, trials at Ta’if, and al-Isra wal-Mi’raj.
“With a rush of cool air, distant lands rolled by in a mesmerising display. They sped past Yathrib and beyond Khaybar. With each leap, the pain and difficulty from the Year of Sadness became more distant as they speared through the night towards Jerusalem, the same direction the Prophet and his followers turned to while praying.”
Most chapters end with a short lesson that reinforces the key message the chapter. This is a useful addition that encourages the reader to be firm in his or her faith and showcases the sacrifices and difficulties that come with being a believer.
“Today in the 21st century, the message of the Prophet continues to challenge the status quo in societies around the world on issues such as individualism, materialism, and atheism. As followers of the Prophet Muhammad, we should embrace this aspect of our religion, for its very nature is to strike a clear distinction between truth and falsehood, between purity and filth—regardless of what people think.”
I have one minor critique which is that some few words and phrases that are beyond a typical child’s vocabulary. That being said, if the child is anything like I was, they’ll pick up a dictionary (or google) and find out the meaning of the word to learn the meaning (…or look past it and get on with life). In my opinion, this book is suitable for ages 11+, though it depends on reading level.
i found myself getting insane nostalgia bc the last time i heard some of these stories, i was a kid! reading it from an older lens now, i’m beginning to truly understand just how great our prophet ﷺ was & the courage of the early companions. this was a perfect book that encapsulates so much w/o going into tm detail giving a holistic view of the life of the prophet ﷺ. i absolutely looove the storytelling aspect, it makes it easier to read & relatable. i’ve found that traditional-style books regarding islamic history can be quite overwhelming w tons of info & stories but when you break down these historical events into digestible and relatable wording (for the youth) you understand the context and applications way more and it sticks in ur head. when i read abt the seerah, i imagine it in my head playing like a historical tv series (almost like ertugrul) so i visualise the 4k cinematography, battles, swords, characters etc & become emotionally attached, only difference is that none of it is fictional. i’m vv excited to read pt2 & to read more detailed seerah books. i rem shaykh shaybani asking us in roots how did the prophet manage to build a religion from nothing, there were many strategical steps that led him to establishing an islamic state. we always learn of his character, which was amazing, but things like fighting for justice, settling arguments, handling politics & legal matters are big big things i didnt deep as a child. there is much more for me to read & learn and as i grow older (God-willing) and become a different person through new experiences, i will continue to view these stories in a different lens/perspective each time.
I heard someone say you can't possibly understand the Quran without the context (makes sense), and The Simple Seerah offers just enough context to really help enrich the experience of reading the Quran. I found that knowing the history of the Prophet PBUH (through a very simplified version) not only enhanced my relationship with the Quran, but helped me understand who and why the Prophet PBUH is such an important figure.
The Simple Seerah is very adequatley titled. It is extremely simplified, and reads like a children's story, but everything in there is true and cited. Reading The Simple Seerah made me want to read and learn more about Islamic history through its characters, I found myself wondering about Abu Bakr RA, and wanting more details about the Rasool. It's a great starter to reading bigger and more detailed versions. I 100% recommend.
I absolutely love reading and listening about the seerah of our prophet. This book has been so well written, loved every minute of it!! The level of kindness and patience our prophet (pbuh) had was beyond compare. A man with so much love to give, a true inspiration!! Loved how khadija (may Allah be pleased with her) was by his side every step of the way and supported him throughout her days, she was truly his rock and their love for one another is one I can only hope for.
Really goes to show the hardships our prophet and his early followers endured just for us to be Muslims today - Truly heartbreaking honestly made me cry! Can’t wait to read the next part! Alhamdulillah for being a Muslim.
Read this during my Bitara Bukulab Reading Sesh!!!!
I genuinely love this book; it's suitable for any age and so immersive. Even though the topic can be pretty heavy at times, the writing style makes it simple and easy to understand.
I'm glad I read it and would definitely reread and annotate it. It's a pleasure to have read this book. Part one covers the life of Rasulullah SAW before Hijrah, there is a part two, but I don't think I'll read that until one or two months from now.
It's a great book, and I'm looking forward to continuing the journey with the second part when I'm ready. It's nice. I like this book. I enjoyed my time with it.
✅Non-fiction people, ✅ story and message, ✅ set in Mecca (570-630 historical), ✅ writing, ✅ religious and educational, ✅ medium paced, ✅ third person.
This was a highly emotional read, starting from the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) birth to him leaving Mecca. Understanding his full story from the start that builds a connection with Allah (SWT) upon understanding what a beautiful man he has created and the miracles Allah (SWT) has blessed muslims with e.g. The Quran's revelations revealed to the prophet, his travel to the heaven s with the angel Jibrīl and many more.
The Prophet goes through a lot of trials and tribulation, harsh enough for tears to form. Which never to forget:
1. A Test of Faith and Strength – Allah tests believers to see the sincerity of their faith. The stronger the faith, the greater the test, as seen in the lives of prophets like Ibrahim (AS), Yusuf (AS), and Muhammad (pbuh). 2. Spiritual Elevation and Purification – Trials purify a person’s sins, strengthen patience, and elevate their rank in the Hereafter. Hardships serve as a means of drawing closer to Allah. 3. A Form of Protection from the Dunya – Sometimes, difficulties prevent a believer from becoming too attached to worldly life, reminding them that their true home is the Hereafter. 4. To Set an Example for Others – The prophets and righteous people endured extreme hardships to be role models for others in patience, reliance on Allah (tawakkul), and perseverance. 5. A Sign of Love from Allah – The Prophet (pbuh) said: “When Allah loves a servant, He tests him.” (Tirmidhi 2396) This is because Allah wants them to return to Him with a pure heart and a high status in Jannah.
The best version of Seerah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that I’ve come across.
“The Simple Seerah,” is an illuminating narrative chronicling the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the history of Islam, is masterfully crafted in an accessible format tailored for. Through its engaging prose, the book traces the inception of Islam, recounting the challenges faced by the Prophet as he championed justice, advocated for the fair treatment of women and the impoverished, and called for the truth about God.
Written with the narrative prowess of a novel, the author seamlessly weaves together historical accuracy with emotional depth, enabling readers to vividly visualize the events and empathize with the characters. This unique approach fosters a profound connection to the Seerah, evoking both resonance and emotion.
For readers seeking a comprehensive yet digestible account of the Seerah, this book delivers on its promise without sacrificing essential details. As anticipation builds for the sequel, one can only hope that the author will continue to explore other prophetic narratives and companions’ stories with the same finesse.
In conclusion, “The Seerah” is a must-read for individuals of all ages, offering a transformative journey through Islamic history. May the author be abundantly rewarded, and may this invaluable contribution inspire generations to come.
A very good introduction to the Seerah. After watching some informative films, series and lectures, I really wanted to get into its reading materials. I wanted to start of with the Sealed Nectar but decided to go with this book as it is a little lighter and can potentially prepare you for the other more renowned works. Not to mention it had the endorsement of Mufti Menk. It is in that regard, that this book did a really great job and is a really good starting point for children. Hence why, owning a physical copy of this book for your household is a must. For that and also the author explicitly has asked to not make PDF copies for distribution, which we as muslims should honour.
The language and writing style, aided with a few illustrations sprinkled throughout the book are easily to follow and understand. There are a total of fourteen chapters, with most just about ten pages each. This really helps the reader to maintain consistency throughout the reading sessions.
I just really wished the author would have released the second part simultaneously so we could have ordered it in pairs or had another edition where he combined the two. I understand there were reasons for it. However, it would have made this perfect.
This book is a beautiful introduction to the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), it was perfect for me to read not long after I accepted Islam, Alhamdullilah, to learn about the Prophet (SAW). It is written in a way that is easy to understand for the younger generation as well as adults, Muslims and non-Muslims. The illustrations are beautifully detailed and help to visualise the story. This is very helpful for me as it can be overwhelming at times for me to learn through just reading text. The illustrations give the story that extra depth this way and also make it fun for kids (and adults!) to read. I've just started reading Part 2 and it's great so far! It also has a beautiful cover that complements Part 1 and is wonderfully illustrated throughout as well!
The writer’s intention to produce a seerah book i novel-like style does not only capture the attention of children and teens, but also adults who just started their journey to know our Prophet SAW better. This book would definitely intrigue and could be a stepping stone for Muslims to learn deeper about seerah in general. Can’t wait to read the second part of this book!
First book I’ve read regarding the life of the Prophet ﷺ and it’s really well summarised and SO easy to read and understand. Only reason it’s not 5⭐️ is cos I haven’t read the full unsummarised version so I can’t tell how accurate it actually is 😛(does contain evidence+ citations for everything though)
This book was really easy to read and very well written. It's suitable for all ages to understand and it's really intriguing, it's almost as if you are going through the Prophet's experiences with him! I loved this book and all of the meanings behind it, it's truly an inspiration!
Part of my Ramadan Reading re discovering my religion Islam. This was written so beautifully to understand the prophet’s life in a story telling fashion & i gained so much insight into my religion. So so beautiful.