The Warrior Prophet: Muhammad and War

by Joel Hayward

Most Islamic biographies deal with Muhammad’s use of warfare by using an understandable but insufficient that the Messenger of Allah was the ideal and paradigmatic human, so he must have been an ideal and paradigmatic military commander.

Wanting Muhammad’s behavior to conform to very modern ethical concepts and widespread (but not necessarily accurate) beliefs about the nature and conduct of war, the writers have created a narrative which, in significant ways, departs from the account clearly and consistently revealed in the earliest extant Arabic sources.

Professor Joel Hayward sees this as an unhelpful explanatory tendency and believes that the modern depiction of the Prophet’s relationship with warfare — which presents him as being rather antipathetic to war, indeed as virtually a pacifist who only fought reluctantly in self-defense — cannot actually be sustained by a thorough and even-handed analysis of the early Islamic sources.

A committed Muslim himself, Hayward concludes that, within a competitive and conflictual environment with ubiquitous threats, warfare was necessary to make real the bold new world that Muhammad foresaw. Through original, meticulously researched and rigorous analysis, Hayward covers all the raids and campaigns and demonstrates that Muḥammad correctly understood the necessity and utility of force and duly developed into an intuitive, effective and victorious military practitioner who developed and enforced a strict moral code so as to attain his goals whilst safeguarding the innocent.

This engaging, accessible yet deeply scholarly and definitive book makes a major contribution to strategic and military analysis and to the Prophet’s biography.

Genres: Islam, History, War, Religion, Nonfiction

454 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2022

About the author

Professor Joel Hayward, ZDaF, BA, MA Hons, PhD, is a New Zealand/British scholar and author who currently serves as Professor of Strategic Thought at the Rabdan Academy in the United Arab Emirates. The daily newspaper Al Khaleej called him “a world authority on international conflict and strategy”. The National newspaper called Hayward “eminent” and a “distinguished historian of warfare and military strategy”. Kirkus Reviews said that he “is undeniably one of academia’s most visible Islamic thinkers”. He is considered to be one of “the world’s five hundred most influential Muslims,” with his listing in the 2023 edition of The Muslim 500 noting that “he weaves together classical Islamic knowledge and methodologies and the source-critical Western historical method to make innovative yet carefully reasoned sense of complex historical issues that are still important in today’s world.” With the title of Shaykh, Hayward has earned ijazāt (teaching authorizations) in ʿAqīdah (Islamic theology) and Sīrah (the Prophet’s biography). He has held various academic leadership posts, including Director of the Institute for International and Civil Security at Khalifa University (UAE), Chair of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (also at Khalifa University), Head of Air Power Studies at King’s College London, and Dean of the Royal Air Force College (both UK).

He is the author or editor of seventeen books and major monographs and dozens of peer-reviewed articles, mainly in the fields of strategic studies, military history, the Islamic ethics of war and conflict, and Islamic (esp. seventh-century) and western (esp. twentieth century) history. His best-selling books include a major analysis of German airpower during the Stalingrad campaign and a thematic investigation of Horatio Lord Nelson and his way of war. His recent books include Warfare in the Qurʾān (2012), War is Deceit: An Analysis of a Contentious Hadith on the Morality of Military Deception (2017), Civilian Immunity in Foundational Islamic Strategic Thought: A Historical Enquiry (2019), and The Leadership of Muhammad: A Historical Reconstruction. The latter won the prestigious prize of “Best International Non-Fiction Book” at the 2021 Sharjah International Book Awards. His newest book is The Warrior Prophet: Muhammad and War (2022).


Professor Hayward has given strategic advice to political and military leaders in several countries, has given policy advice to prominent sheikhs, and was tutor to His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales, Duke of Cambridge. In 2011 he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and in 2012 he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. In 2016 he was named as the “Best Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences” at the Middle East Education Leadership Awards. Professor Hayward is also active in the literary arts and has published three books of fiction and four collections of Islamic poetry.

Reviews

[Mohammad Ishrak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I waited a long to get this book, after seeing Professor Hayward on Paul William's YouTube podcast Blogging Theology and being amazed by the prof's really impressive knowledge of the Prophet's (saaw) life and the sources upon which our accounts are based. I finally received an advance copy through a colleague of the prof who is a bookseller in Sharjah. It was worth the wait. The prof approaches the life of the Prophet (saaw) sensitively and with deep and obvious respect, but also with unusual scholarly detachment. I say "usual" meaning that the prof is himself a devout Muslim who says that the best way for him to honour the Prophet is to be truthful, including about what the earliest sources reveal. As he writes in the introduction:

"I am both a committed Muslim and a historian, which means three things: first, I believe Muhammad was the Prophet of the God in whom I believe; second, I accept the Qur'an as my book of divine guidance; and third, I believe my best likelihood of adequately and meaningfully explaining the events of Muhammad’s life is by employing the broadly agreed methodology of the discipline of history. By that, I mean critiquing and searching for meaning in the earliest extant sources for Muhammad’s life in a detached and dispassionate manner while remaining aware of the ways in which my religious beliefs have influenced my assumptions, values and biases."

I knew this was Hayward's analytical approach. I had first encountered it in his prize-winning book, "The Leadership of Muhammad". It works wonders. Having read this new book, which is over 450 pages in length and took the prof eleven years to write, I am convinced that I have come closer to understanding the causes and nature of warfare in the Prophet's (saaw) life than I had ever imagined I could.

Hayward reveals and explains both the similarities and differences between the accounts presented in the earliest Arabic sources, which he says are not scriptures like the Qur'an, but merely books of human origin that can be "interrogated" like any other literature. He nonetheless believes that they are capable of yielding a rather detailed account of the Prophet's (saaw) decade of warfare. With the hadiths also being judiciously used (the prof says that with "careful handling" the hadiths can provide very useful information indeed), that account is richly analytical. Hayward actually explains events that almost all writers merely describe.

The big revelation for me is that the Prophet (saaw) sometimes went to war in an offensive not defensive mode, yet did so without the slightest wrongdoing. He summarizes his position, which he develops carefully and persuasively throughout his book, like this: "As this book will show, offensive warfare was not always seen as wrong — indeed, it was commonly seen in the ancient world as a glorious and praiseworthy way of achieving lofty societal goals — and Muhammad conducted numerous offensive attacks without the slightest immorality in doing so."

I had never read it explained like this before. We are used to repeating a rather trite line that his campaigns were only defensive, a position we Muslims have been energetically shouting to the world to counter the damage done by terrorists and jihadist throughout recent decades. Hayward explains further:

"Lest any readers still feel uncomfortable with the knowledge that Muhammad initiated many offensive missions, it is worth re-emphasizing that in both the Islamic concept of the Jihad and its western counterpart, Just War, there is no immorality automatically attached to the offensive and no goodness automatically attached to the defensive. This is merely a popular misconception. What might we think, for example, about Nazi soldiers defending themselves from outside attack in a death camp where they had been killing innocent Jews? That their defensive status made them just? What might we think of the attackers who initiated an offensive to destroy them? That their aggression made them unjust? This is an extreme case, of course, to demonstrate the point. But history reveals countless examples of military forces initiating offensive operations against opponents for manifestly just reasons, and of defenders who were ordinarily militarily passive yet involved in oppressive or cruel behaviour against their own or other people."

Hayward's book is a trail-blazer. I understand from his Blogging Theology podcast that he's now at work on Muhammad and Diplomacy. He says that the Prophet (saaw) was a truly "masterful" diplomat, even better in that realm than he was at war. I can't wait to read that book too.

[Abu Kamdar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent unapologetic analysis of the wars and battles in the Seerah - this book is a must-read for anyone interested in Muslim History.

[Saalik Khaleem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say this is an easy or quick book to read. It is over 460 detailed pages with a vast array of carefully built-up evidence presented on every page. But amazingly it answers major questions that I have wondered about for decades and which no other Islamic historian had managed to explain. Hayward is a professor of military strategy who has analyzed ancient, medieval, early modern, and modern warfare for thirty years and has published many important books on it. Now, following on from his fabulous book The Leadership of Muhammad, he has turned his considerable powers of analysis to the warfare of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. The professor is himself a devout Muslim, so we should not fear that this is another "Islam spread by the sword" type of book. It is certainly not. With meticulous research and a mastery of the classical Arabic sources, he has written a powerful and unique and entirely convincing explanation of why our beloved Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, used warfare as his method for creating (in a constantly lawless and conflict-torn tribal society) a safe, secure, and prosperous political entity capable of safeguarding and promoting the strict monotheism that he knew would save the various tribes not only from their ignorance, but also from hellfire. It is a major contribution to scholarship and I recommend it without any hesitation to both Muslims and non-Muslims. The former will learn very many things they had never known, and the latter, perhaps reading about him for the first time, will surely come to admire our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as a great and influential historical figure with qualities and a message that can enrich lives today.

[Masom Masomy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I certainly didn't know what to expect when this huge book arrived. It has transformed my thinking about the role that war played in the life of our Prophet, saaw. It is astonishingly well researched and documented and despite its size, at nearly 500 pages, it is written with a very engaging style that creates an easy flow and endless interest. The maps really helped me to visualise the events, and the glossary made even the difficult concepts manageable. This is an instant classic.

[Faisal Amjad · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Breathtaking in its scope, research and originality*

This book is like no other book of Sirah I have read, except perhaps for the author’s previous book on the leadership of Muhammad. The research is extremely thorough, detailed and accurate, which explains why it took over a decade to complete. The arguments are unmistakably original, logical and persuasive, and explained so carefully and systematically that even readers with closed minds (of which there are many in our ummah) will have to concede that, even when they disagree with him, he has made points that rest on a judicious reading of the evidence and can’t be ignored. I had watched Professor Hayward explain his case on youtube, which helped me to understand his interest and motivation, but even if I had not done so the book itself makes clear that Hayward is a both a very committed Muslim who respects his Prophet immensely, and a detached and critical reader of the Arabic sources whose respect comes from an objective and reasoned approach to them. This is a once-in-a-generation book. It is now the definitive book on the subject, and I already know that I will refer back to it time and time again.

[Yasin O K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a large and very detailed book, mainly because of the vast amount of evidence used by the author (which won me over), but it's undeniably one of the very best books I've ever read.

Merged review:

This is a large and very detailed book, mainly because of the vast amount of evidence used by the author (which won me over), but it's undeniably one of the very best books I've ever read.

[Rita M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been on a quest to learn more about Islam and read all major new works, especially those dealing with the origins of the religions. Karen Armstrong's biography of the Prophet sits at the forefront of popular books on how Muhammad created what soon came to be known as Islam. But even she was not able to explain how and why Muhammad used warfare, both raiding and pitched battles, as his method of protecting the religion in its infancy and creating a safe space for it to grow. Joel Hayward answers that question in a very detailed and carefully researched book that shows that Muhammad drew upon the norms of seventh century Arabia to create a tightly cohesive society and meet its material needs at a time when impoverishment and warfare seemed ubiquitous. Hayward’s Muhammad was not a cruel or violent man, but a moral and humane leader who nonetheless had to fight to create and preserve his new monotheistic community at a time of endless competition and warring between tribes, none of which were initially allies and many of which were hell-bent on getting rid of him and his radically different ideas.

Merged review:

I've been on a quest to learn more about Islam and read all major new works, especially those dealing with the origins of the religions. Karen Armstrong's biography of the Prophet sits at the forefront of popular books on how Muhammad created what soon came to be known as Islam. But even she was not able to explain how and why Muhammad used warfare, both raiding and pitched battles, as his method of protecting the religion in its infancy and creating a safe space for it to grow. Joel Hayward answers that question in a very detailed and carefully researched book that shows that Muhammad drew upon the norms of seventh century Arabia to create a tightly cohesive society and meet its material needs at a time when impoverishment and warfare seemed ubiquitous. Hayward’s Muhammad was not a cruel or violent man, but a moral and humane leader who nonetheless had to fight to create and preserve his new monotheistic community at a time of endless competition and warring between tribes, none of which were initially allies and many of which were hell-bent on getting rid of him and his radically different ideas.

[Samir Firdovsioglu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joel Hayward’s The Warrior Prophet: Muhammad & War offers an insightful and engaging exploration of Prophet Muhammad’s military leadership within the broader context of warfare in 7th-century Arabia. The language of the book is accessible and easy to follow, making it a smooth read for a wide audience, while the depth of Hayward's knowledge and research is evident throughout.

One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its detailed analysis of the battles the Prophet Muhammad engaged in. Hayward meticulously paints a vivid picture of the geography, the strategies employed, and the outcomes of these conflicts. The inclusion of battle maps and army positions allows readers to visualize and fully grasp the military tactics at play, which adds to the overall richness of the narrative.

The author’s portrayal of the Arabian Peninsula’s social and military dynamics is both convincing and well-substantiated. Hayward skillfully argues that warfare, raids, and military activities were not viewed as immoral during that time, but rather as necessary means of survival. His exploration of the tribal customs and the importance of maintaining authority and power to ensure a community’s security provides important historical context for understanding the Prophet’s actions. He highlights that Muhammad, while capable of crushing many tribes militarily, often exercised restraint. This stands in contrast to the claims of some modern Muslim writers who depict the Prophet as purely pacifist, fighting only in self-defense. Hayward rightly critiques this revisionist stance, effectively using the historical record to show that the reality was far more complex.

However, the book is not without its weaknesses. One noticeable shortcoming is Hayward’s reliance on early historical sources, such as the works of al-Waqidi, without applying the rigorous classical Muslim methodology for evaluating historical reports. He does not engage with the chains of narration (isnad), which would have allowed for a more nuanced analysis of the authenticity of certain events. Al-Waqidi, for example, has been criticized by many classical Muslim scholars for compiling reports indiscriminately, without filtering for reliability. Hayward appears to favor earlier sources like al-Waqidi's Maghazi and Ibn Ishaq’s Sira over later works like the Sahih compilations of al-Bukhari and Muslim, which may mislead readers who expect a stronger focus on source criticism.

Additionally, there are moments where the author provides insufficient context for certain incidents, leaving readers unfamiliar with Islamic history at risk of misunderstanding key events. A case in point is the killing of Ibn al-Hadrami. Hayward omits important background information regarding his death and frames it in a way that could mislead readers into thinking Muhammad was responsible for not paying the blood money, rather than clarifying the circumstances that led to the event.

Despite these limitations, The Warrior Prophet is a compelling and informative read, particularly for those interested in the military strategies and historical realities of the Prophet Muhammad’s time. The book’s conclusion is especially strong, providing a thought-provoking reflection on the broader implications of Muhammad’s military leadership.

Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a thorough and balanced account of the Prophet’s military campaigns, though readers should approach some of the historical analysis with a critical eye.

[Mirsab Hasan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today, we usually see two depictions of the Prophet's ﷺ approach to warfare. Either it is glossed over and Islam is described as "the religion of peace", which is often done by well-intentioned Muslims, or he is described as an especially violent warlord with a thirst for blood and booty, the preferred depictions of anti-Islamists.
Joel Hayward strikes a balance between these two extremes. Written in a captivating, sometimes witty, and reverent manner, Hayward delivers the truth of the Prophet's ﷺ approach towards warfare. He was neither a blood thirsty warlord, nor a pacifist, but rather a pragmatic statesman who used violence and force to an astounding degree of success towards his Prophetic mission.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in the truth of Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ approach to war.

[Miroku Nemeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this masterful study on war and the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ. I highly recommend it, and I wish that there were more historically rigorous studies like it written from believers who see their historical rigor as part of their love for their religion and the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ

[Safina Yaakob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really the best book on the Prophet Muhammad as a strategist and military leader and practitioner. Joel Hayward actually explains what no other books do: why the Prophet wanted peace but used war, including offensive operations that were moral and humane, as his method of obtaining and guaranteeing it. This book's research is remarkably thorough and draws upon the classical Arabic sources and the very newest research. I endorse this book as a must-read.

Merged review:

Really the best book on the Prophet Muhammad as a strategist and military leader and practitioner. Joel Hayward actually explains what no other books do: why the Prophet wanted peace but used war, including offensive operations that were moral and humane, as his method of obtaining and guaranteeing it. This book's research is remarkably thorough and draws upon the classical Arabic sources and the very newest research. I endorse this book as a must-read.

[Muhammad Firous · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw him on Blogging Theology and ordered the book, which did not disappoint. Strong and highly thorough research reinforces every claim that he makes, and he is both creative in his interpretations and respectful to Islamic orthodoxy and its sources. He took a decade to write this very detailed book and it shows. It's also an attractive book and looks good on my bookshelf, which is like a bonus.

Merged review:

Saw him on Blogging Theology and ordered the book, which did not disappoint. Strong and highly thorough research reinforces every claim that he makes, and he is both creative in his interpretations and respectful to Islamic orthodoxy and its sources. He took a decade to write this very detailed book and it shows. It's also an attractive book and looks good on my bookshelf, which is like a bonus.

[Joel Hayward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me over a decade to complete, but I consider it my best work. The early Arabic sources for the life of Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ must be handled carefully, and treated critically (not apologetically), but they certainly reveal a great justice-oriented warrior and leader. Inshallah I hope you like it.

Merged review:

This book took me over a decade to complete, but I consider it my best work. The early Arabic sources for the life of Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ must be handled carefully, and treated critically (not apologetically), but they certainly reveal a great justice-oriented warrior and leader. Inshallah I hope you like it.

[S Alkaabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have seen this prof present a lecture on this topic and it was a masterclass. So I got the book and it's even better. It took him many years to research this book. It really becomes clear. The research is like nothing I have ever seen before. Every single statement of importance is fully validated by sources. And it is so well written that I found it fine for me even though I'm not a native English reader.

[Abdullah Misra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw the author on Blogging Theology and ordered the book. Was not disappointed. Fantastic scholarship. Very original. Very thorough. Very convincing.