Muhammad ﷺ: The Messenger of Islam - His Life and Prophecy

by Amina Adil, Muhammad Hisham Kabbani (Foreword by), Muhammad Nazim Adil Al-Haqqani (Preface by)

This impressive biographical work deftly weaves translated accounts from authentic Ottoman Turkish texts with ancient lore, resulting in a compelling, unforgettable portrait of the founder of Islam as seen through the eyes of Muslims around the world.

Genres: Islam, Spirituality, Religion

608 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2002

Reviews

[Jonathan Widell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, it is long and a bit choppy and it interrupts the chronological account with advice to the "Traveler on the Road to Truth" and blessings and references to verses of the Qur'an which were inspired by the events in question. So what. The peculiar way of telling the story is just as much a learning experience as the story itself.

The author Hajjah Amina Adil is married to Shaykh Muhammad Nazim Adil al-Haqqani, the spiritual head of the Naqshbandiyya-Nazimiyya Sufi Order. Sometimes the text itself indicates that the writer is a woman and a Sufi.

Now that we are being treated to images of Muslims slitting the throats of Christians, beating their wives, conducting honour killings and so on, it is refreshing to read the other side of the story. As for Christians, it was the Christian King of Ethiopia that sheltered Muhammad and his Companions from the vicious attacks of his own tribesmen the Quraysh and refused to hand him over to them only to be killed. Believe it or not, this is called the first Hijra because it preceded the actual Hijra, which was the second (p. 141). When that king died, Muhammad performed funeral rites for him in absentia (p. 541).

As for wives, Muhammad told his new son-in-law Ali: "I give you my daughter Fatima as your maid servant, provided that you will be her slave" (p. 317). Yes, there are some violent passages in the Qur'an but, on the other hand, before Muhammad his tribe had the custom of burying its female infants alive (p. 552). Muhammad told them not to slay their own children. The author also cites the sermon given by Muhammad shortly before his death (p. 549): "Every forbidden action must be carefully avoided, but none more so than these two things: the rights of women and orphans must not be infringed, for on the Day of Reckoning, there will be no intercession for these two sins before the Divine Presence."

After the Conquest of Mekkah, Muhammad also prohibited the blood feuds, which some Islamic cultures are now so famous for (p. 497).

Enriching, elevating, this book was recommended to me by a Sufi shaykh when I asked him for the best biography of Muhammad. Muhammad - The Messenger of Islam: His Life and Prophecy may appear somewhat fanciful at times because the author has refrained from excessive source criticism and instead has included legends whose strength resides in the fact that Muslims have accepted them as genuine and been guided by them for generations.

[Saliha Hameedullah · Rating 5 out of 5]

its the best book ever, from each page, each para , each sentence i learnt new thing abt islam.... im stilling reading on it... i wish this book never ends... i want to keep reading and reading.... its easy english everyone can understand... i love muhammed (pbuh) im very proud to b in ur nation....jazakallah...

[Fay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this YEARS ago but and was really enjoying it except for one thing. It has no footnotes whatsoever, it doesn't even refer to the "authentic Ottoman Turkish tests" from which it's author (a female Sufi scholar) got the material to write this book. That is disturbing to me, and therefore I never finished it. I like my biographies of the Prophet pbuh to have footnotes or refer back to a text etc. I do hope to one day reread this (and now it's available in ebook form HURRAY!). I'm much further along in my faith now, have been exposed to a lot more and have even come across the all but one of the few things that stood out in my mind from the book in other sources. I hate to rate a book I never finished but I know I was "really [liking] it" and I'm quite sure I would have continued to liked it as I like biographies as a general rule and it being about the prophet pbuh just makes it more enjoyable for me. I did need to deduct two stars because of the complete lack of references for the reader.


If and when I finish the book I will update this review.

[Bukhari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lengthy and rather comprehensive biography of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. Written by the author of the Lore of Light series which I immensely enjoyed, Hajjah Amina Adil recounts the history of pre-Islam Mecca and of the rise of Islam in the same captivating style and detail. It did take me a few months to finish this but it was very enlightening. 

[Hamaad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed account of the Prophet's ﷺ life in a very Sufi perspective. Beautiful written along with its simple prose being words of praise of the Prophet ﷺ and reads like a novel. It goes deep into many things such as the Light of the Prophet ﷺ and the inner aspects of certain events.

Only slight issues are the lack of references to each section of the Seerah ( except from a few instances such as Qur'an references and an entire chapter being referenced from Kara Daud's commentary of the Dalail Al Khayrat), as well as this interpretation of the Seerah being a bit too esoteric for those not familiar with the life of the Prophet ﷺ and Sufi doctrine in general.

If you want a more Sufi interpretation of the Seerah dealing with matters like the "Muhammadan Realities (Haqiqatul Muhammadiyya)" and something which is very in depth, definitely give this a read.

[Marsilla Dewi-Baruch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only managed to read the first 200 pages. The segment which tells the isra mikraj is teeming with prophecies, which is not what a historical avid reader like me wish to know. It would have been better if the writer focuses more on Muhammad PBUH’s lifetime “on earth” like any ordinary historical non-fiction. Adding glossy heavenly stories would not lure non-muslims to understand the history of Islam. Anyway this is a good start for more books on our Prophets.

[Dessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive story about Muhammad SAW. From before birth till his last day. I like this book told detail description events between sahaba, key belivers and unbelivers, and some raids and war happened during the timeline.

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, reads like an engaging classical folktale rather than a passive nonfiction biography.

[Fathima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely, a must read.Hajjah Amina Adil(q)now passed on, is a Descendant Of The Holy Prophet Muhammad, and wife of Mawlana Shaykh Muhammad Nazim Al Haqqani(q), World Leader of The Naqshbandi Sufi Order!
She is an Islamic Scholar in her own right.

[Dilder Hussain · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is one of the best book i give 5* for it.