Apologist! - Rated 
As Ramadan himself concedes at the start of this work, biographies of Muhammad already exist and this work is not an attempt to supplant the work of others. It should be viewed rather as an attempt by Ramadan to explore and explain some of the episodes which are alleged to have informed the life of Muhammad, the accepted Prophet of Islam.
This is not a work which seeks to question the validity or the authenticity of the events which make up much of the traditional Islamic narrative, and Ramadan incorporates and draws upon the work of traditional scholars quite freely throughout the text. Indeed this book should be seen as a very slight commentary on the traditional Islamic narrative, but seasoned with the spirit of self-justification and self avowed piety. This latter point is important given Ramadan's familial links with the emergence of a revived Islamic fundamentalism.
This means that for a reader seeking to learn about the life of Muhammad, there are other, more informative works available from both Islamic and non-Islamic perspectives, and others which might be thought of as existing somewhere between these often highly antagonistic positions.
Arguably, the most worrying aspect of this book is the ready acceptance and endorsement of the text by various reviewers, which is highly likely to be linked to Ramadan being regarded as a 'moderate', a modern minded and apparently serious Academic, when he is considered within the present political and ideological discussions of Islam. Whatever the truth of this the fact remains that all of the gushingly supportive reviewers fail to consider the validity and authenticity of that which Ramadan presents and comments upon with such apparent piety, and one wonders whether any were actually qualified to do so.
So this book is, in my view, a perfect example of a case of the 'Emperor's New Clothes' - the text is accepted uncritically and presented as the work of an apparently liberal minded and throughly modern minded Muslim seeking to help Muslim and non-Muslim understand Muhammad within an Islamic context, whilst ignoring the fundamentally important questions regarding history, the inherent cultural and religious bias of Islamic narrative, and (most importantly of all) the value of facts.
Not a biography but a work of theology - Rated 
Many biographies give excellent and full details of the Prophet's life. This book is different. Tariq Ramadan looks at how the Prophet dealt with unbelievers, backsliding Muslims, Jews and Christians, war captives, women etc, and what he said about them. From this he draws out universal lessons regarding how Muslims should conduct themselves. The book is short, easy to read and accessible without any past knowledge of Islam. I would recommend it to Muslims and non-Muslims alike as an exposition of what the Prophet believed and practiced.
A much needed biography - Rated
Biographies on the Prophet Muhammad are certainly not short in supply. So what can have prompted Prof Ramadan to pen another? Well frankly this biography is a bit different in that its purpose is not to present a meticulous retelling of the life of the Last Prophet, but actually to give an insight into certain acpects from his life. This the author does in a remarkably lucid and highly apprecative way. So for those searching for a indepth retelling should look elsewhere, however for those seeking deeper spiritual and moralistic viewpoint into aspects, including those sometimes seen as controversial from the Prophets life, then this book is for you. Read it, and see the Prophet Muhammad as Muslims see him.
interesting, in a way - Rated 
As a historical, factual, objective account of when, why and where the book is useless ....but then it isn't a "Life of Muhammad", more an interpretation. Too much of it is tearfully and sugary sweet, written in a dreary, repetitive and tedious literary style that I suppose is meant to be spiritual, yet in some vaguely threatening, insisting and unpleasant way only makes all my alarm bells ring. Arrgh, now I too am using three adjectives where one should do.
As an introduction to an accepting and surrendering mindset the book is highly interesting however. I have to freely admit it's just too much of everything for me, and I'm pretty sure that few non-believers - or indeed any with a minimum of a free and independent mind - would find otherwise. But you never know, that sort of uncritical adulation can be forcefully hypnotic as history has so often shown us. And THAT worries me.
The author "introduces non-muslims not only to the story of the prophet, but also to the spiritual and ethical riches of islam". This is all very well, but I really wouldn't advise anyone to bother reading page after page of platitudes. Weepy platitudes made self-evident truths.
Weren't the book addressed to non-believers such as myself I couldn't care less and would leave well alone. But it DOES concern me that it creates a sort of Never-Never Land that even I can see explains away and twists many controversial passages in the Quran and traditions. Controversial for Westerners and Christians and Jews and "traitors" and women, that is.
Erm, what I must conclude is that a believing and already spiritually settled mind is an absolute must for appreciating this book. The rest of us are scared off, if anything.
The best biography of prophet muhammad in the english language - Rated
I'm always on the lookout for new material about the final messenger.
This book is deliberately short and focusses on key incidents or situations affecting the prophet and his community, from his birth and to his death. The factual detail will be well known to readers of standard biographies e.g. Adil Salahi's excellent book from the Islmaic Foundation. But Ramadan's prose adds to the historical facts by bringing out the extraordinary humanity and humility of the man. His portrait is of a deeply committed and passionate person who came from tragic circumstances but yet went on to change world history without becoming embittered or resentful.
Ramadan's writing can be a little philosophical or spiritual at times but he explains how the story of Muhammad has lessons for 21st century citizens. There is much to emulate in our own lives and educate both muslims and non-mulsims about misperceptions of Islam.
The ending of the book describing the prophet's last and dying days is particularly moving. I was left to cry and to follow his high example.
|
