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Muhammad, Prophet of God
Founding not only a world religion but also an empire and a civilization, the prophet Muhammad was undoubtedly one of the most influential men in history. Amid the swirl of current judgments regarding Muslims and their religion, this book by Daniel Peterson offers a concise, objective, accessible biography of the first Muslim.
Blending the texts of traditional sources into an engaging narrative, Peterson begins with the impoverished and orphaned childhood of Muhammad, highlighting his evident strength of will, character, and resourcefulness. Peterson then moves through the prophet's life, detailing Muhammad's visions and revelations and examining the beginning of a religion that continues to affect the entire world in dramatic ways. Respectful and readable, Muhammad, Prophet of God opens a clear window on the life and influence of the founder of Islam.
Blending the texts of traditional sources into an engaging narrative, Peterson begins with the impoverished and orphaned childhood of Muhammad, highlighting his evident strength of will, character, and resourcefulness. Peterson then moves through the prophet's life, detailing Muhammad's visions and revelations and examining the beginning of a religion that continues to affect the entire world in dramatic ways. Respectful and readable, Muhammad, Prophet of God opens a clear window on the life and influence of the founder of Islam.
198 pages, Paperback
First published February 26, 2007
3 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Peterson
101 books3 followersDaniel C. Peterson is a prominent Mormon apologist and professor of Islamic Studies and Arabic in the Department of Asian and Near Eastern Languages at Brigham Young University (BYU). He also currently serves as editor-in-chief of BYU's Middle Eastern Texts Initiative. He is a former member of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at BYU. The institute released Peterson in June of 2012. Peterson is the first and current editor of Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 21, 2009
When I started this book, I was totally lost, being unfamiliar with the names and places talked about. I just about stopped reading. But, as I got into the life of Muhammad, I found it very interesting. It gives insights into the way the Middle East is now and has been for centuries, with its tribal governments and conflicts. I now feel I know a bit about what kind of person Muhammad was, the beginnings of the Quran, and the time period he lived in.
February 24, 2014
I was hoping that this book might give me some clarity about Islam and Muhammad. Daniel Peterson is one of my author heroes and I generally enjoy his writing. He also has a reputation that he can be acerbic in his writing, especially in the defense of the LDS faith. He is also an Professor of Islamic Studies and the editor-in-chief of the BYU Islamic Translation Series, which is a series of translations of philosophical works by Islamic scholars to make them more accessible to the West. They are printed with the Arabic text on one side of the page and the English on the other side. From what I've been able to determine they are well accepted. So he's got to know a lot about Islam.
Dr. Peterson's writing in this book is as always good and I actually learned some things about Muhammad that I didn't know. I've read a couple of different accounts of Muhammad. In some he seems to be a really nice guy. In the other he seems to be a blood thirsty tyrant. I'm not sure where the truth lies, probably somewhere in the middle. My first reaction after reading this book by Dr. Peterson was that he was taking the apologist track, but then I started thinking about it a little more and realized that he really didn't take that track at all. He may not have talked about some of the more grizzly aspects of Muhammad's life, like Robert Spencer does, but he doesn't sugar coat them either.
The fact is that Muhammad really did accomplish something that is amazing. He started an Empire that rivaled any other great empire builder such as Alexander, and he did something that Alexander didn't do, his Empire stayed together and grew after he died. Alexander's didn't even survive the what would have been his life span had he lived. I think he did this by being a really good leader, and he was probably a pretty good religious leader as well for his time. And I think this is what Dr. Peterson shows in this book.
First off Muhammad would get 1/5 of all the booty from the raids and battles that the muslims had, and all indications are that he used this to support the people who came to Medina as emigrants. He didn't live in a lavish lifestyle. That's certainly different than most despots.
The Battle of Uhud which was a route of the Muslims. One of the main reasons was because of the calvary led by Khalid ibn al-Walid. Later he converted to Islam and became a great general in the rise of the Islamic caliphate both during Muhammad's life and after. This shows remarkable leadership. Another thing that I didn't know is somewhat ironic that Dr. Peterson pointed out.
"Less than three decades after Muhammad's death, the Ummayads, the descendants of Abu Sufyan, ruled the empire from Damascus. The strongest leader of that house was Mu'awiya, the son of Abu Sufyan and of Hind, who had torn out and eaten the liver of Muhammad's uncle following the Battle of Uhud."
After the defeat of Mecca many of Mohammad's former opponents converted to Islam and were allowed to, despite calls for revenge. If people were willing to follow Allah and his Messenger, the Messenger was willing to let them, and in the end, in many cases that turned out to work well for Islam.
Mohammad was probably not any more ruthless than any other great empire builder. Many people have talked about how Constantine was not a very good Christian and did what was necessary to hold his empire. And his lasted quite a while. Charlemagne was the same way. He could be ruthless when it was called for. His Empire didn't last to long after his death. The difference between these men and Muhammad is that a billion people don't look to them as the "perfect" example and they do to Muhammad. So while Charlemagne might have killed 2000 pagans in a day, no Christian thinks that should be emulated as a good thing to do. But when Muhammad did anything, like marry the wife of a man he had defeated and decapitated on the same day, or consummate a marriage with a nine year old wife, or kept slaves or etc. There are a lot of people in the world today who think it's perfectly fine to act that way today because Muhammad did it. Dr. Peterson doesn't point any of these things out, but they happened.
So I would recommend this book. It's well written and you can learn some things about Muhammad. I don't think he tells the whole story about Muhammad, but he does tell an important part of it.
Dr. Peterson's writing in this book is as always good and I actually learned some things about Muhammad that I didn't know. I've read a couple of different accounts of Muhammad. In some he seems to be a really nice guy. In the other he seems to be a blood thirsty tyrant. I'm not sure where the truth lies, probably somewhere in the middle. My first reaction after reading this book by Dr. Peterson was that he was taking the apologist track, but then I started thinking about it a little more and realized that he really didn't take that track at all. He may not have talked about some of the more grizzly aspects of Muhammad's life, like Robert Spencer does, but he doesn't sugar coat them either.
The fact is that Muhammad really did accomplish something that is amazing. He started an Empire that rivaled any other great empire builder such as Alexander, and he did something that Alexander didn't do, his Empire stayed together and grew after he died. Alexander's didn't even survive the what would have been his life span had he lived. I think he did this by being a really good leader, and he was probably a pretty good religious leader as well for his time. And I think this is what Dr. Peterson shows in this book.
First off Muhammad would get 1/5 of all the booty from the raids and battles that the muslims had, and all indications are that he used this to support the people who came to Medina as emigrants. He didn't live in a lavish lifestyle. That's certainly different than most despots.
The Battle of Uhud which was a route of the Muslims. One of the main reasons was because of the calvary led by Khalid ibn al-Walid. Later he converted to Islam and became a great general in the rise of the Islamic caliphate both during Muhammad's life and after. This shows remarkable leadership. Another thing that I didn't know is somewhat ironic that Dr. Peterson pointed out.
"Less than three decades after Muhammad's death, the Ummayads, the descendants of Abu Sufyan, ruled the empire from Damascus. The strongest leader of that house was Mu'awiya, the son of Abu Sufyan and of Hind, who had torn out and eaten the liver of Muhammad's uncle following the Battle of Uhud."
After the defeat of Mecca many of Mohammad's former opponents converted to Islam and were allowed to, despite calls for revenge. If people were willing to follow Allah and his Messenger, the Messenger was willing to let them, and in the end, in many cases that turned out to work well for Islam.
Mohammad was probably not any more ruthless than any other great empire builder. Many people have talked about how Constantine was not a very good Christian and did what was necessary to hold his empire. And his lasted quite a while. Charlemagne was the same way. He could be ruthless when it was called for. His Empire didn't last to long after his death. The difference between these men and Muhammad is that a billion people don't look to them as the "perfect" example and they do to Muhammad. So while Charlemagne might have killed 2000 pagans in a day, no Christian thinks that should be emulated as a good thing to do. But when Muhammad did anything, like marry the wife of a man he had defeated and decapitated on the same day, or consummate a marriage with a nine year old wife, or kept slaves or etc. There are a lot of people in the world today who think it's perfectly fine to act that way today because Muhammad did it. Dr. Peterson doesn't point any of these things out, but they happened.
So I would recommend this book. It's well written and you can learn some things about Muhammad. I don't think he tells the whole story about Muhammad, but he does tell an important part of it.
May 14, 2011
I didn't know much about Islam or Muhammad before reading this book, and now I understand a lot more about this prophet and the time period during his lifetime. I feel as though I picked up on the cultural aspects of Islam, and I want to learn more about their core beliefs and feel as though I have a good starting point to piece things together. I appreciate that this book was such a balanced portrayal of his life without biased commentary.
October 17, 2017
A challenging read--the four stars rather than five have to do with the resources the text really lacks--maps, for one, and maybe rather than just an index of names, short (even four or five word) descriptions of the many many people referenced, and perhaps a pronouncing guide. But this gave me such an increased understanding of pre-Islamic Arabia and the historic context of the rise of Muhammed, plus some comprehension of his role and his personal life. Leaves you hungry for more.
April 22, 2023
Dr Peterson does a wonderful job presenting the life of Muhammad, I thoroughly enjoyed it! It is well written, researched and flowed well. I found myself wanted to go deeper into Muhammad's life and teachings. It's a very quick read and does a great job putting Muhammad into historic context. I've read the Quran a couple of times, but now I'm excited to read it again with the context of Gods messenger's life!
August 3, 2017
Seems like a pretty fair assessment of the guy. Peterson does a good job of putting Muhammad's life and actions in the context of his time.
February 2, 2013
I find this book very well-written so far, and actually hard for me to put down! Coming at it now, after reading quite a bit about early Christianity and a bit about world religions, it's accessible and informative. I love all the Arabic stories he includes to make his points. It's fun for me, too, since I have had the great fortune to go to Saudi Arabia (Riyadh), as well as the Emirates, Jordan, and Israel. I miss my Muslim and Jewish friends there, and hope this book will enhance all of these friendships. Daniel Peterson is a Mormon scholar of Arabic and Islamic Studies, which is why I chose this particular bio. I wanted to read something that would come at the subject with respect, but not heavily biased one way or the other. So far, so good
Finished it, and enjoyed it very much. I really didn't know much at all about Mohammed, and now I feel much more informed. Peterson gives you the traditional stories as well as what Western scholars have said, and sometimes throws in his own feelings about things. I came away with a greater appreciation for the man millions call "the messenger of God."
Finished it, and enjoyed it very much. I really didn't know much at all about Mohammed, and now I feel much more informed. Peterson gives you the traditional stories as well as what Western scholars have said, and sometimes throws in his own feelings about things. I came away with a greater appreciation for the man millions call "the messenger of God."
November 19, 2011
This book is a little bit more advanced and in depth than other books about Muhammad, but it is very well written and very informative. I felt like it was very unbiased yet still showed lots of respect for Muhammad and what he did while he was alive. Both good and bad, I guess. IT ROCKS PEOPLE! Dan Peterson does work, son! Sometimes you got to slow down a bit and absorb the information instead of ripping through books at a million mph. I mean, that's why you're reading, right? To learn? Or you just reading so you can write a review on as many books as possible on Goodreads.com?
July 21, 2009
With so much mis-information about what Islam is and isn't, I thought this would be a good way to learn the basics. It's very scholarly and I find myself having to read slowly and sometimes re-read. However, I am enjoying it and hope to be able to better analyze information about this fascinating religion from other media sources.
Finally finished. I learned a great deal about early Islam. Now I'd like to read something about contemporary Islam.
Finally finished. I learned a great deal about early Islam. Now I'd like to read something about contemporary Islam.
December 23, 2011
Pretty good book. It gives a lot of information about the times and culture Mohammad lived in. I felt it was helpful to see Mohammad in his own setting. Tells his story without judgement so you can form your own judgment.
June 1, 2015
A very nice clear short biography of Muhammad, on the scholarly side. Lots of footnotes, a little discussion of alternate interpretations of history, but happily lacking in jargon. Very interesting.
January 5, 2016
A good overview of Muhammad and the early years of Islam. Gives good details about his early life and the battles etc. that lead to Islam gaining control of Arabia. However doesn't cover the Sunni/Shia split as it ends at Muhammad's death.
March 1, 2011
I read this to help me with a paper I had to write for my class. It's written better than my textbook, but a little too scholarly for me.
August 24, 2011
Very informative. I wish he had put more of himself into the book, instead of a purely academical treatise. I would have welcomed some opinion or interpretation.
February 4, 2015
Very clear, respectful, unbiased, and interesting biography. Thanks to my brother-in-law for giving it to me!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews