The Historical Mohammed

[bdb85]

Peace all-
Are there historical records of Mohammed and his life outside the Qu'ran and other religious texts? In addition, if there is a good biography I could read, please let me know!
-Benjamin

[afghanhound101]

assalam allaikum
brother u can check these great books out:
The sealed Nectar- written by a Muslim
Muhammad: His life based on the earliest Sources - written by a non-muslim by the name of Martin Lings
wassalam

[bdb85]

Peace Afghan-
Thank you for your help with those books. Also, I appreciate the fact that you gave me one written by a Muslim as well as a non-Muslim, so I can see the views and perspectives of both.
Thanks Again
Benjamin

[muhtadiyah]

Greetings all,

I have both those biographies.

The Sealed Nectar is comprehensive, but unfortunately I find the reading style as dry as toast. The book by Martin Lings is more devotional...I believe Mr. Lings is a sufi, if someone knows better please correct me.

I would also highly recommend "Muhammad" by Karen Armstrong. She is a non-muslim, and has written a number of books on the subject of religious history. The book is written as an apologetic for 'western' readers, and is very enlightening, especially if you are starting from a perspective of having heard a number of bad reports regarding the Prophets character.

I hope this helps.

peace,
muhtadiyah

[newsX]

assalam allaikum
brother u can check these great books out:
The sealed Nectar- written by a Muslim
Muhammad: His life based on the earliest Sources - written by a non-muslim by the name of Martin Lings
wassalam

I believe that Martin Lings is a Muslim, afghan. His Muslim name is Abu Bakr Siraj Ad-Din, and he is a practising Sufi.

http://kitaabun.com/shopping3/produc...roducts_id=280

Another fabulous work I'd like to recommend is "Muhammad: The Messenger of Islam, His Life and Prophecy", by Hajjah Amina Adil. I cried when I finished it.

For non-Muslim sources, do check out works by Montgomery Watt ( Muhammad: Prophet and Statesman), or Karen Armstrong (Muhammad). The latter, though, can be painfully apologetic, even more so than Muslim writers.

For an insight into Islam's worldview, you may try Gai Eaton's "Islam and the Destiny of Man", or Seyyed Hossein Nasr's "Traditional Islam in the Modern World". Muhammad Asad, a Jewish convert, provides exceptional depth to the islamic experience in his various books: "Road to Mecca", "Islam at the Crossroads" and "This Law of Ours", in which he roundly condemns Muslim apathy and stagnation.

Good quran translations (at least to me) include Abdullah Yusuf Ali's and Muhammad Asad's.

regards
shiela

[bdb85]

Peace-
Thanks for all the recomendations! Im sure these books will help much in my understanding of Islam.

Although I am a history major at my university, I admit that I am very much ignorant of Arabian/mid-eastern history. I've only studied the Arab world and Mid-East from the perspective of its relations with Europeans. Therefore, its good to read a biography of Mohammed to get some historical context before I really dig deeply in to the Qu'ran.
Thanks again!
Benjamin

[Ron]

Peace Benjamin,

There are artifacts that belonged to the Prophet (p) that we still have in our possession. I believe his sword, his ring and other things are still around in Turkey (I believe). Also there are written documents that are preserved with his seal on it.

The best Biography I've read thusfar is, "The Life of Muhammad" by Haykal. It is extremely in-depth. I've read the Martin Lings and it's pretty good but there's a lot of misinformation in it because admittedly he relies on the "earliest" sources not the most authentic. Another one to get your hands on is "Sirat-un-Nabi " by ‘Allama Shibli Nu‘mani’.

Great major. One of my favorite subjects.

Regards

[newsX]

Peace Benjamin,

There are artifacts that belonged to the Prophet (p) that we still have in our possession. I believe his sword, his ring and other things are still around in Turkey (I believe). Also there are written documents that are preserved with his seal on it.

The best Biography I've read thusfar is, "The Life of Muhammad" by Haykal. It is extremely in-depth. I've read the Martin Lings and it's pretty good but there's a lot of misinformation in it because admittedly he relies on the "earliest" sources not the most authentic. Another one to get your hands on is "Sirat-un-Nabi " by ‘Allama Shibli Nu‘mani’.

Great major. One of my favorite subjects.

Regards

hey, i've read haykal too...lots of info...even provide alternative versions of accounts

[razwan1979]

"Another one to get your hands on is "Sirat-un-Nabi " by ‘Allama Shibli Nu‘mani’."

Just in case you don't read Urdu, Benjamin, this has been translated into English by M. Badayuni.

"There are artifacts that belonged to the Prophet (p) that we still have in our possession. I believe his sword, his ring and other things are still around in Turkey (I believe)."

Yes. They are kept in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. I've seen them. I have to admit: of some of the artefacts I am scepitcal if they are the very items that belonged to the Prophet (upon whom be peace). And God knows best.

salaam 'alaykum

[Ratatosk]

Salaam,

I have to admit: of some of the artefacts I am scepitcal if they are the very items that belonged to the Prophet (upon whom be peace).

Indeed. I'm not ridiculing these artifacts, nor am I trying to convey the message that these wouldn't be authentic. Au contraire, the Topkapi items could very well be authentic. However, a certain curious tidbit creeps into my mind whenever I encounter personal spiritual artifacts; if all the pieces of the True Cross - upon which Jesus(pbuh) was allegedly crucified - were brought together one could easily build a house with all the woodwork.

Just a thought.

peace

[hasan]

Did you notice the Quran being recited at where these items lay. There is a cubicle in the background where public servants enter reciting the Quran in shifts; 24hours / 7 days a week I believe. It does indicate sacrilegious awe.

[razwan1979]

Hasan:
"Did you notice the Quran being recited at where these items lay"

Yes, a qari recites the Qur'an 24/7. They also ban all forms of cameras. This didn't stop people from bringing video cameras under their jackets and "secretly" recording them though. The most popular item is the the mantle of the Prophet (upon whom be peace) which is stored in another room altogether (you see the items -- other items like his bow or bow case are also kept there -- through a thick glass window). I don't see why there shouldn't be awe at them, if they are indeed the Prophet's (upon whom be peace) items.

In the same complex you can also find swords attributed to his closest Companions (ra): Abu Bakr (ra), Umar (ra), Uthman (ra) and Ali (ra).

assalamu 'alaykum

[palm]

Salam bdb85
AR-RaheeQ Al-Makhtum (THE SEALED NECTAR)- Memoirs of the Noble Prophet
You can read the above mentioned prize winner book online at
http://www.al-sunnah.com/nektar/1.htm

a very beautiful book indeed

[Ansar Al-Haq]

Some introductory info here:
http://www.islamonline.net/English/I...24/index.shtml
http://132.205.15.79/becon/en/main.p...owcat&catid=05
http://www.muhammad.net/