A Biography of the Prophet of Islam : In the Light of the Original Sources An Analytical Study (2 Volumes)

In ‘Early Sources for Prophet Muhammad’s Biography’, Dr. Muhammad Saeed Mitwally aims to prove that applying Western methods of critical analysis to the available Muslim sources can take us back to early, reliable information about the Prophet (sa).

Early Western biographies of the Prophet of Islam (sa) were largely based upon the Qur’an, as well as upon the late Muslim sources dating from the sixteenth century. After the publication of Goldziher’s Muhammedanische Studien in 1890, the reliability of Muslim sources became controversial. This stance was intensified by the publication of Schacht’s The Origins of Muhammadan Jurisprudence, in which he claimed that none of the Hadith literature is authentic. In this book, Dr. Muhammad Saeed Mitwally successfully challenges some of the problems raised by the pessimistic attitude.

Students of Hadith will find this study thought-provoking and informative.

Knowledge of the Prophetic Seerah is incumbent upon every Muslim, whether young or old, male or female. This current book adds to those that have already been published on this great subject. It lays out the Prophetic biography in a clear and concise manner, relying on well-documented and authentic sources. The author paints a narrative of the important events during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, the patience demonstrated by the Prophet and his Companions through difficult times, without losing their faith in their Lord. These events touch the heart of the reader and draws them in.

It is very important for anyone who wants to spread the message of Islam to study the life of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and discover how he undertook the mission of da‘wah, or calling to Islam. This book is a blueprint for da‘wah. From studying his biography we learn the lessons of patience and perseverance in the face of adversity and opposition, and the readiness to sacrifice everything for the cause of Islam. In this book, Dr. as-Sibâ‘ie shows us how the Prophet’s approach was gentle yet determined and clear-cut, with no compromise on basic issues. The author takes the most important events of the Messenger’s life, summarizes them in order to offer a brief overview, then outlines the lessons that we learn from these events. This is an excellent introduction both to the principles of da‘wah and to the seerah, the study of the life of the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him). It should be on the bookshelf of every Muslim who wants to call others to Allah. The Life of Prophet Muhammad: Highlights and Lessons has been translated into English by Nasiruddin al-Khattab.

The Night the Moon Split, by Ivanka Dimitrova, takes young readers on a journey through time, back to the days of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It describes one of his greatest miracles: the splitting of the moon. This remarkable event is related as a bedtime story told to a young Muslim boy. This story is an excellent choice for both read-aloud and independent readers. Recommended for ages 7-12.