The liberal Christian biographer of Muhammad Karen Armstrong criticized the book as follows:
Like any book written in hatred, [Spencer's] new work is a depressing read. Spencer makes no attempt to explain the historical, political, economic and spiritual circumstances of 7th-century Arabia, without which it is impossible to understand the complexities of Muhammad's life. Consequently he makes basic and bad mistakes of fact. Even more damaging, he deliberately manipulates the evidence. ...
When discussing Muhammad's war with Mecca, Spencer never cites the Quran's condemnation of all warfare as an "awesome evil", its prohibition of aggression or its insistence that only self-defence justifies armed conflict. He ignores the Koranic emphasis on the primacy of forgiveness and peaceful negotiation: the second the enemy asks for peace, Muslims must lay down their arms and accept any terms offered, however disadvantageous. There is no mention of Muhammad's non-violent campaign that ended the conflict.
People would be offended by an account of Judaism that dwelled exclusively on Joshua's massacres and never mentioned Rabbi Hillel's Golden Rule, or a description of Christianity based on the bellicose Book of Revelation that failed to cite the Sermon on the Mount. But the widespread ignorance about Islam in the West makes many vulnerable to Spencer's polemic; he is telling them what they are predisposed to hear. His book is a gift to extremists who can use it to "prove" to those Muslims who have been alienated by events in Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq that the west is incurably hostile to their faith.[3]
The government of Pakistan confiscated all copies of the book and banned it on 20 December 2006 citing "objectionable material" as the cause.[4]
Writing in the Asian American Law Journal, Deepika Bains and Aziza Ahmed strongly criticized the book, claiming to find structural problems, as well as "deep substantive flaws", such as unfounded assertions[5] and conclude that:
With its lack of analysis, absence of historical context, and gaps in information. Robert Spencer's The Truth About Muhammad accomplishes Spencer's goal of vilifying Muslims and misinforming readers about Islam. Spencer frames his book partly as a testament to the importance of the freedom of speech. However, Robert Spencer exercises his right to free speech free from responsibility, choosing instead to inspire hatred and encourage intolerance.[6]
David Thompson wrote in The Guardian that: "Robert Spencer provides a detailed and timely riposte to common misconceptions, outlining the mismatch between belief and historical reality and documenting the ways in which Muhammad's own deeds and purported revelations are used verbatim to mandate intolerance, xenophobia and homicidal 'martyrdom'." Thompson concluded with, "Denial, as they say, is not just a river in Egypt."[7]Andrew G. Bostom wrote about the book in The Washington Times: "'The Truth About Muhammad' eschews contemporary 'P.V. Muhammad' hagiography, reviving the highly informative, unapologetic genre of biographical narratives of Muhammad epitomized by the works of Muir, Margoliouth and Caetani."[8]Andrew C. McCarthy wrote in the conservative magazine National Review that this book is important and that everybody should read it: "Robert Spencer graphically illustrates the depth of our folly in thinking – or, rather, blithely assuming – otherwise. An alarming book, and a necessary one."[9]
^De Russy, Candace (January 9, 2007). "Pakistan: Book Closed on Muhammad". Phi Beta Cons. National Review Online. Archived from the original on June 12, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
Muhammad: A Story of the Last Prophet (Enlightenment Collection Book 3) by [Deepak Chopra]
“Compassionate and clear…a courageous undertaking.” —Greg Mortenson, New York Times bestselling author of Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools
“As a scholar and storyteller extraordinaire, Deepak Chopra portrays a morally courageous yet highly human messenger of God.” —Irshad Manji, Director, Moral Courage Project, New York University
From the New York Times bestselling author of Buddha and Jesus comes the page-turning and soul-stirring story of Muhammad. Deepak Chopra—easily one of the most influential spiritual leaders in the world today—delivers this stunning, sincere, and highly accessible portrait of the Prophet of Islam. Chopra’s Muhammad is an outstanding resource for everyone who thinks they should know more about the man who inspired the world's fastest-growing religion.
360 pages 8 September 2010
----------------------------- Product description From the Back Cover In this riveting novel, beloved international bestselling author Deepak Chopra captures the spellbinding life story of the great and often misunderstood Prophet.
Islam was born in a cradle of tribal turmoil, and the arrival of one God who vanquished hundreds of ancient Arabian gods changed the world forever. God reached down into the life of Muhammad, a settled husband and father, and spoke through him. Muhammad's divine and dangerous task was to convince his people to renounce their ancestral idols and superstitious veneration of multiple gods. From the first encounter, God did not leave Muhammad alone, his life was no longer his own, and with each revelation the creation of a new way of life formed and a religion was born.
Muhammad didn't see himself as the son of God or as one who achieved cosmic enlightenment. His relatives and neighbors didn't part the way when he walked down the parched dirt streets of Mecca. There was no mark of divinity. Orphaned by age six, Muhammad grew up surrounded by dozens of cousins and extended family to become a trusted merchant. Muhammad saw himself as an ordinary man and that is why what happened to him is so extraordinary.
Rooted in historical detail, Muhammad brings the Prophet to life through the eyes of those around him.
A Christian hermit mystic foretells a special destiny,
a pugnacious Bedouin wet nurse raises him in the desert, and
a religious rebel in Mecca secretly takes the young orphan under his spiritual wing.
Each voice, each chapter brings Muhammad and the creation of Islam into a new light.
The angel Gabriel demands Muhammad to recite, the first convert risks his life to protect his newfound faith, and Muhammad's life is not a myth but an incredible true and surprisingly unknown story of a man and a moment that sparked a worldwide transformation. .
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From the Inside Flap
Review
"Chopra shows that neither revering nor reviling Muhammad will unlock the meaning he embodied. So what will? Chopra's answer is bound to challenge Muslims and non-Muslims alike." -- Irshad Manji, Director, Moral Courage Project, New York University
"Chopra takes us into the past through the Prophet Muhammad's journey, and brings wisdom and perspective to an often misunderstood figure. His compassionate and clear depiction is a courageous undertaking, and a valuable effort against the enemy of ignorance. An important and timely book, indeed." -- Greg Mortenson, New York Times bestselling author of Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools
"I am grateful that Deepak Chopra, instead of adding to the often useless pile of [Muhammad] biographies, has instead crafted an absorbing novel based on Muhammad's life. Any reader will come away better informed both about the prophet himself and about Islam, the world's second largest religion." -- Harvey Cox, Hollis Research Professor of Divinity at Harvard University, and author of The Future of Faith
"It's worth discovering Muhammad through Deepak Chopra." -- Ayaan Hirsi Ali, bestselling author of Infidel and Nomad
"Compellingly told, this is not only good storytelling, it also helps readers, especially non-Muslims, better understand the complexities and contradictions surrounding Islam." -- Booklist
"[O]ne of the most imaginative and touching biographies of Muhammad...Chopra's grasp of Muhammad's life and mission extends his range in a surprising direction; his popularization is welcome." -- Publishers Weekly
"...an intricate, deeply considered depiction of the Prophet's life. At a time when Muhammad is largely misunderstood outside (and sometimes inside) of the Muslim world, the novel gives a vivid voice to his story." -- The Daily Beast
"It is a positive portrait that nonetheless points to human flaws and complexities." -- The Arizona Republic
"...profound summation of his life, teachings, and service of humanity..." -- Spirituality & Practice
"His approach is as engaging as it is informative and deeply humanizing. The first-person narratives each paint a new layer onto the picture of the Beloved of God, in all his humanity and complexity and perfection." -- Dalia Mogahed, in a Huffington Post review
"...the finest of his long shelf of books. ...Chopra returns in his own attractive voice with one of the more level, tough-love, discussions of Islamic religion available." -- The Daily Beast
"[Chopra] produces an imaginative, evocative rendition of what it must have been like to be in the company of such an individual, making his way in an environment in many ways so alien to our own." -- The Historical Novels Review --This text refers to the hardcover edition.
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About the Author Deepak Chopra is the founder of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing in Carlsbad, California, and is acknowledged as one of the master teachers of Eastern philosophy in the Western world. He has written more than fifty-five books and has been a bestselling author for decades, with over a dozen titles on the New York Times bestseller lists, including Buddha and Jesus . --This text refers to the hardcover edition. Read less
Customer reviews 4.1 out of 5 stars
Top reviews from Australia optima47 4.0 out of 5 stars Harsh times in a harsh land Reviewed in Australia on 24 January 2016 Verified Purchase If you would like to be able to see the circumstances that created the need for a Prophet and find some perspective for his messages, then read "Muhammad: A Story of the Last Prophet". == ellison 3.0 out of 5 stars A Novel Muhammad Reviewed in Australia on 10 June 2017 Written as a novel this begins with one hundred pages of first-person encounters of people with the pre-prophet Muhammad, it shares the texture and culture of the era. Includes him getting married.
He is visited by an angel who shares god's word.
When he tells other they run him out of town.
Where he goes is at first welcoming but they tire of his message.
He calls them traitors and asks a guy what to do because, after all he is a prophet. The guy says thumbs down and blades get wet. He eventually retakes his home town. The author concludes with some reasonable words.
==== Top reviews from other countries j p mccarthy 4.0 out of 5 stars Facinating read. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 June 2015 Verified Purchase Once again great stoty telling from Deepak Chopra. Have now read Jesus and Budda and all three seem to let you in on their unknown stories. Great stuff. One person found this helpful Report abuse Praveen Sharma 2.0 out of 5 stars Old book delivered. Looked like a used one!! Reviewed in India on 14 August 2020 Verified Purchase As a product, it is an interesting book about a fascinating subject. However, this is a not typical biography. It is written in a novel style, and not an easy read.
Also, the book I received was an old one. The pages are yellow, rustic and the binding looks taped. Nevertheless, I didn’t return since it is not an easy find. === Karu Williams 4.0 out of 5 stars A deep view on the founding of Islam Reviewed in Germany on 9 June 2015 Verified Purchase A Novel breathing the wind, the sand and poetry of a life in the Arabian desert which lets the reader understand the historic circumstances of the Koran and it's author Muhammad. It also shows us the deep spiritual dimension of Islam and that it needs a lot of empathy, will and thoughtfulness to enter into depths of this great religion. Report abuse=
Kamal Jain 3.0 out of 5 stars IT IS OK. Reviewed in India on 29 March 2016 Verified Purchase IT IS OK. Report abuse Reader 1.0 out of 5 stars Muhammad:story of the last prophet Reviewed in Canada on 7 April 2012 Verified Purchase Chopra is no writer - contrary to the popular belief - for want of a better statement. He should stay with his first profession - MD.
Unfortunately, the west tends to seek his opinions on any subject that is vaguely related with any culture or topic that is not western, thus giving most readers the impression that Chopra is knowledgeable about all that is not occidental. His book on Muhammad seemed to be well researched, but does not hold readers interest for long. I found it difficult to plough through - still have a couple of chapters to finish - it's been a few months since I started reading the book. I have read at least half a dozen books in between.
A book that has been researched should at least acknoweldge sources that were used. Writing style - again - does little to hold readers interest. There are numerous other authors who have written superior accounts of various prophets with greater depth - Annemarie Schimmel and Karen Armstrong being two. Anyone interested in religious backgrounds of other faiths should seek out works of the aforementioned authorities.
3 people found this helpful Report abuse See all reviews Report an issue ===
Oct 24, 2011PJ Swanwick rated it really liked it Shelves: spiritual Novel about Islam's founder proves surprisingly accessible and entertaining
4.5 stars: I had braced myself to slog through Deepak Chopra's biographical novel "Muhammad: A Story of the Last Prophet." Instead, I was delightfully surprised by the compelling story of Muhammad's journey from affluent trader to reluctant prophet, and the engagingly lyrical music of the suras (verses) he channeled from Allah.
Story: Although ostensibly a novel, Chopra bookends his story about the Muslim prophet with an author's note and an afterword, offering the reader a history lesson while reflecting on the current relationship between Islam and the rest of the world. The novel emphasizes that of all the founders of the great world religions, Muhammad is the most like us. Muhammad, a merchant who marries a rich widow and routinely travels in caravans as part of his trade, lives a regular life until the day the archangel Gabriel appears and orders the reluctant 40-year-old Muhammad to recite. (To recite, Chopra reminds, is the root word of Koran.) Using multiple first-person narrators--slaves and merchants, hermits, and scribes--he portrays life (including its brutality) on the streets of Mecca. Each chapter is self-contained. Muhammad's wife, Khadijah, laments there have been no warnings that this tumultuous, life-changing event is about to occur; Ali, the first convert, explains how the Prophet approached him. Compellingly told, this is not only good storytelling; it also helps readers, especially non-Muslims, better understand the complexities and contradictions surrounding Islam. (From Booklist)
Spiritual/metaphysical content: Medium. The book focused more on the man than his teachings, which I found to be less than satisfying. I had hoped to gain more insight into the teachings of Islam, although Chopra does describe the five pillars and six core beliefs of Islam, along with some of his other teachings. However, other aspects of the work delighted me. I expected to learn much about Islam, but what I didn't expect was the love of poetry that suffused Arab hearts and the attendant lyricism of Muhammad's suras. I enjoyed the poetry of each sura as much as the message.
Do you not see how he has lengthened the shadows? the One is He who made the night a garment for you. He gave you sleep so that you may rest And the morning sky to be a resurrection.
And
Lo, I swear by the afterglow of sunset, And by the night and all it enshrouds. And by the moon when she is at the full, You will journey to higher and higher worlds.
Another unexpected delight was the wealth of Arabic sayings that were both pithy and poetic: "Fate ... was like a wasp covered in honey. You cannot taste the sweetness without a sting."
My take: In addition to being a simple and easy introduction to the life and teachings of Muhammad and Islam, "Muhammad" proves to be entertaining, historically accurate, and relevant to our times. Chopra's stilted writing style made several of his non-historical novels less than enjoyable to me in the past. However, his short and direct prose works well in the context of this fictionalized biography. By writing each chapter from a different character's perspective, including Muhammad's enemies, Chopra offers fascinating perspective and varies what might otherwise be a monotonal story. The actual events of the Prophet's life provide a thrilling framework fraught with conflict that propels the story forward.
I learned a great deal about Muhammad's life and the rise of Islam. Although much blood was spilled in the evolution of Islam, violence was integral to Arabic life at that time. Muhammad struggled to project his message of peace, acceptance, and submission above the sometimes horrific reality of Arabic life in the 7th century. Chopra's author's note, afterward, timeline, and family tree helped clarify the complex history of the times and placed his life in a clearly defined context.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the story was the realization that Muhammad was a man like any other, not a son of God (such as Jesus) nor a transcendent human (such as Buddha). The angel Gabriel chose him as a medium to deliver Allah's message, and the reader clearly sees how Muhammad was forced into the role of reluctant prophet but also military commander, master politician, and sometimes brutal judge in order to ensure the survival of Allah's message. As Chopra notes, "I didn't write this book to make Muhammad more holy. I wrote it to show that holiness was just as confusing, terrifying, and exalting in the 7th century as it would be today."
I find this one a bit difficult to rate. It was well written, and despite the few little inaccuracies here and there, it stayed fairly faithful to the facts we know about the life of our Prophet Muhammad PBUH. On the other hand, as a Muslim myself, this kind of a book that sort of fictionalizes ( i.e. puts words and gives feelings to the people, whom we respect greatly, that they might have NOT felt or said, hence possibly altering our views on them) the stories I believe in as facts makes me a bit uneasy.
I would recommend reading this along with at least one or two other books that tell the stories of Islam and its Prophet. That way the picture you'll get will be more complete. (less) flag19 likes · Like · 6 comments · see review
May 04, 2019Annette rated it it was amazing Shelves: historical-fiction-0500s, novel-of-religious-leader, biographical-fiction Islam, the world’s second-largest religion, is the most misunderstood religion. This journey of the Prophet Muhammad offers a clear depiction and a better understanding of his life and how it shaped his mission. It gives a reader a chance to be better informed.
Set in 6-7 AD, a time when “slaves were kept and cruelty abused. So were women and unwanted baby girls were routinely left to die on a mountainside after they were born.” Set mostly in Mecca, in a desert valley in western Saudi Arabia, (today, Islam’s holiest city). The seclusion provided by sands of desert gave Mecca a protection it needed from the invaders and a seclusion which gave birth to a new religion.
Muhammad is orphaned by age of six. He grows up surrounded by cousins and extended family.
At a young age, he makes a reputation for himself as a trusted merchant. He makes it through a desert leading safely a caravan for an older merchant, who was too weary to travel.
He marries a rich widow almost twice his age. She had many offers before. But they say, “She was waiting for a pure husband.”
Later, there is a shift in Muhammad’s behavior. Even his four daughters find him aloof. And others claim that he lost his mind. He likes to walk on the slopes of Mount Hira. One day, he finds a cave there, which he cleans and afterwards spends a lot of time there.
The angel Gabriel appears and tells him, he’s God’s chosen one. Now, he understands that “God is not someone you can seek. He is in all things, and always has been.”
He and his followers change one believer at a time. “To protect some of his followers, he sends them across the sea to Abyssinia, where the Christians recognize us as brothers under the same God. A bitter irony, this. Our own blood brothers, the Quraysh, persecute us without mercy.”
Hundreds of ancient Arabian gods have vanquished in favor of one God. “The God of Muhammad has cast down the gods of Arabia. They have crumbled to dust.”
Muhammad becomes the bringer of peace, settling feuds between Jews and Arabs.
The lives of Muhammad and his family are revealed through the lives of other people, for example Bedouin wet nurse, who takes him to the desert and nurses him for the first two years of his life as it was custom. The points of views through which the story is revealed are very interesting, making the story deeply engrossing.
Also, presented with great prose, “She had outlived most of Muhammad’s family with such steel in her spine that she threatened to outlive the rest of us too.”
P.S. The famous “five pillars of Islam” prescribe the duties of the faithful:
- The profession of faith, declaring that Allah is the one God and Muhammad his prophet. - Prayer, which takes places five times a day facing Mecca, the most sacred place on earth. - Charity, through the giving of alms to the poor. - Fasting during the month of Ramadan. - Pilgrimage, at least once in a lifetime, to Mecca.
There are six core beliefs (one God, prophets/messengers sent by God, angels, books sent by God, judgment day, fate) that would be agreed upon even by sects that otherwise divide along fierce lines like the Sunni and Shia. These beliefs overlap closely with those of both Judaism and Christianity. But no religion can escape the claim that it surmounts all others; often, leading to religious conflicts.
Jun 13, 2011Maryam rated it did not like it · review of another edition I gave this book one star not because the way it was written but about the content. As a muslim I felt that the writer was very disrespectful & had many hidden negative messages in the words spoken by his characters in the book, whether they were muslims or non-muslim.
I believe that you cannot judge past events and generations on today's standards. & yet they do. Picturing all Arabs as barbaric! Even nowadays condemning other cultures & traditions based on our own!
There are many facts in this book that are false. & many others that I don't know about.
If you want to know more about Islam, I do not recommend this book. But if you want to see how a spiritual scholar views Islam, then go ahead. I do believe that his writings was biased. He has other books about other religions, I didn't read them. Maybe this is how he writes! Condemning all religions as an oppression to humankind & suffocating their free will.
Sep 28, 2011Shaik rated it it was amazing As a Muslim, I have read a number of books on the life of Muhammad, but this book stands out as a category of its own.
Firstly the book does not claim to be a work of history, rather it is a work of fiction. The narrative is in the first person, with each of the characters telling their personal story.
The author would have had to have done thorough research before attempting a work of such creativity, while at the same time not contradicting known historical data. flag7 likes · Like · comment · see review
Apr 13, 2011Ritu rated it it was ok The first half of the book was better than the latter half. I found Mohammad's background, his early life interesting. I also understand the author's motivation in writing the book - exploring how an apparently common man had the revelation of God. I liked the format of the book - the way the story was narrated through the eyes of the different people in Mohammad's life - his wetnurse, hs wife, his daughter, a beggar, a cousin and so on. I liked the book upto the point when God reveals himself to Mohammad. After that the book went downhill. I am not sure if the author was convinced himself - but Mohammad's mission to spread Islam across the world, all the tribal wars, the justification to do the wars, becoming a strategist in warfare, convincing oneself that the actions done were the direct result of God's instructions, the slaughter and rape of woman and children....all that - I did not care for. Why is it neccesary for God to have his message spread everywhere? Shouldn't people who want to be enlightened about God go to the messenger? Why is there the need for force to convert people to a faith? (less) flag6 likes · Like · 1 comment · see review
Jan 07, 2012Katrina rated it liked it This is a quick read, and it was interesting to imagine how people would have reacted to Muhammad in the early days of his revelation, as well as how challenging the situation was for him. Each chapter is written from the perspective of a different character, which gives a nice sense of how different factions reacted as well as people closer to him. The afterword bothered me, as Chopra presents a very orthodox picture of islam as Islam itself. He goes on to talk about Sufism in very positive terms, but seems to make a distinction between Islam and Sufism, rather than seeing that the Sufi approach to Islam demonstrates that Islam is not monolithic nor does it have to be interpreted dogmatically. In short, the novel itself is worth reading, but the afterword only feeds into existing prejudices and stereotypes about Islam. (less) flag5 likes · Like · comment · see review
Apr 12, 2011Lindsey rated it it was ok I read this with my book club. I don't think I would have ever read it on my own, but I'm glad that I did. I know so little about Muhammad and Islam in general so it was good to learn the story of their prophet. However, the author is not Muslim and I think I would like to hear a Muslim's perspective on Muhammad. (less) flag5 likes · Like · 1 comment · see review
Jan 17, 2012Ridzwan rated it really liked it Muhammad - A Story of the Last Prophet was released in the US during a time of re-heightened tensions against Islam. Americans were protesting the building of an Islamic Centre in New York several blocks away from ground zero as it rekindled memories of the horrific attacks in 2011. The decision to launch the book at such a time could have been an opportune one by the publisher, harnessing the mass curiosity that people had with the most influential man ever in the history of mankind.
The novel takes on different vantage points of characters that have encountered Muhammad at various stages of his life. From his father Abdullah, his wet nurse the Bedouin Halimah, daughter Zaynab and several other colourful individuals like the prostitute Jasmine. But taken in its sum, these different vantage depicts very well the social, political and even economic climate in Mecca 1400 years ago when tribal loyalties rule, oppression against the weak were rampant and belief in the idols dictated every single aspect of life. Convincing people to abandon their traditional Gods and take on monotheism was indeed a monumental feat for a goat herder who could neither read nor write.
The author has made it very clear that the work is a novel. It is not meant to be a historical documentary nor is it an accurate depiction of actual events. But despite that, he has done fairly well in painting the context and environment upon which Islam was born. This goes a long way in helping the casual observer understand why Islam was revealed upon humankind. (less) flag4 likes · Like · comment · see review
The first third was interesting, about Muhammad growing up an orphan and snippets of his life and personality viewed through third parties.
The second third was also interesting, with Muhammad being exposed to the intrigues of his time and eventually seeing the angel of prophecy.
The third part was rather daunting, having to read about Muhammad's struggles with hostility and persecution and fighting his way. The last story about putting a group of Jews to death and reducing the families to slavery just turned my stomach.
I liked learning about the historical presence of the Kaaba and the Zamzam well in Mecca. But I was disturbed by the strife and intrigue among the arab tribes: it seems to me that very little has changed in centuries. Still so much hostility and affinity for intrigue and strife.
May 07, 2015Dina Salaymeh rated it it was amazing I always prefer to read about prophet Muhammad's life from non-Muslims because their point of view is always objective, transparent, bold and non political. Unfortunately we have grown so pathetic and desperate that we even disagree on the courses of the prophet's life and how he lived it.
This is the best book about the prophet I have read so far because it is presented as a novel where the main characters come in one at a time and tell you the story from their perspective. it is not a historic ...more flag4 likes · Like · comment · see review
Feb 02, 2014Alabas0d rated it did not like it I’m very interested in learning about the story behind each religion, and how it developed. Obviously, I didn't get the chance to study every religion; however, many of my readings and academic studies revolved around Abrahamic religions. This being said, this book lacks historical accuracy. After reading “Quran” (Muslims holy book) and many historical books about Islam, I noticed that a great deal of information provided is wrong or twisted.
Now I’m interested to read his book about Jesus and check its accuracy. Hopefully, it is not a trend for him to drop historical accuracy in the sake of story development.
This is a fiction book that revolves around a well-known historical character. The book is very well written. Deepak did a great job in making the reader involved, especially in the first third of the book. The only reason I'm giving this book 1 star is because of it historical inaccuracy.
I wouldn't recommend this book to someone who wants to learn about Muhammad; nonetheless, it is a good book if you have a background on Islam and looking for good fiction story about Islam that provides a different perspective. (less) flag3 likes · Like · 1 comment · see review
Mar 16, 2011Linda rated it really liked it This is one of those books that jumped off the library shelf, right into my path. I am glad I read it because I learned so much - about the incredible rise of Islam and its appeal, and about the life of Muhammad. I know about the life of Christ and Buddha, but next to nothing about Muhammad. This is a novel, but the author did his research as far as dates, genealogy, and the chronology of events. It was very readable; each chapter using a different voice from Muhammad's life. It was kind of like Bible stories, but I didn't have to read the Koran to get the facts. If you are interested in Muhammad and the growth of Islam, and don't want the history books, I recommend this little book that sheds a different light on Muhammad. As the author says "I didn't write this book to make Muhammad more holy. I wrote it to show that holiness was just as confusing, terrifying, and exalting in the seventh century as it would be today." (less) flag3 likes · Like · 1 comment · see review
Jan 02, 2011Alan Jacobs rated it liked it OK as historical fiction, not so good as fiction. I use historical fiction to fill myself in on areas where I'm weak without having to delve though dense, fact-filled tomes. This book did the trick for me on the life of Muhammad. It presented views of Muhammad and his forebears through the voices of various persons in Mecca and Medina who had personal contact with them. I assume that the major events depicted were actual events that are believed to have happened in the life of Muhammad. Novelistically, the book did not seem to go anywhere, to make any point.
The view of early Islam is somewhat scary. Allah is out for blood--it's not possible to subsume Islam into a non-Islamic state. Islamic is a total way of life, including personal life and governance. Allah and Muhammad are particularly hard on a group of Jews who seemed to have betrayed Muhammad by making a deal with Islam's foes, and then to try to come back into Islam's fold. Muhammad appoints a judge to decide those Jews' fates, and then carried out the judge's decision that all the men should be beheaded, and all their wives and daughters enslaved. Muhammad was a mean dude, and Allah is a mean god.
It's also clear why Islam became popular in Arab lands: Allah was already a big deal, but idols were a major part of everyday religion. The native religion was based on a caste system, where the rich were able to gain redemption, and the poor were left spiritually and materially bereft. Islam offered a spiritual equality accepting the Islam and practicing its five pillars. As Islam was able to build and conquer, those who succumbed to the religion became part of an inner group, a higher caste based on spirit rather than wealth, but which could lead to material comfort.
Dec 25, 2013Khaleel Datay rated it liked it I've read a number of biographies on the Arabian Prophet and found this book an interesting departure from the usual presentation. Deepak Chopra's novel is uniquely told through the eyes of friends, family members, and even enemies. This style brought an immediacy and vibrancy to the life of the Prophet, not to be found elsewhere. The author keeps the language simple and easy to understand, and it is this style that contributes to bringing the life of seventh century Arabia alive on the pages.
We get a deep sense of the humanity of the extraordinary person that Muhammad was, his search for answers from a greater being and the profound impact on his life when he received the first revelation of the Quran via the angel, Gabriel.
We see how the Prophet made enemies in his struggle to convince his community to worship one God as opposed to the hundreds of idols they followed. Not because they didn't agree with the message, but because they stood to lose tons of revenue from the visitors to Mecca who trekked to the holy city to visit the sacred house built by Prophet Abraham and his son.
To write a story on the life of a man who brought a faith followed by almost 2 billion people is enough to send any writer for cover, but Chopra handles the subject matter with tact and diplomacy without pulling any punches where he felt he needed to. Chopra's characters are well drawn from what must have been a huge amount of research. The book never attempts to be a narration on the entire life story of the Prophet, yet the author was able to take you through his life with snippets as told through the eyes of his wife, his daughter, a Jewish holy man etc. It makes for a fascinating read and definitely worth a look at. (less) flag2 likes · Like · comment · see review
Feb 20, 2012Linda rated it really liked it This is my second novel on Muhammad and I frankly find his story fascinating. What made this book special was the spirituality that was woven into the story complete with verse from the Koran and references to Christianity and Judaism.
I remain perplexed by the images of such a gentle yet violent prophet; so unlike images we have of Jesus or Buddha.
It is no wonder that we have such a diversity among Muslims. I read Chopra's novel on Jesus and plan on reading the one on Buddha. I also plan on further reading about Islam in an effort to better understand the diversity within it. (less) flag2 likes · Like · comment · see review
Sep 19, 2010Solady Batterjee is currently reading it As Muslims we take somethings for granted.. For a human to receive the responsibility of spreading a new religion !! This is for sure out of the ordenrly .. Reading the story with a different eye gave me the ability to imagine how fearious it must have been.. Bering touched by an angle!! Muslims,, listen to me, it's about time we don't take our Islam for granted, it's time to think more deeply about it and sense it's power and bueaty in our life.. (less) flag2 likes · Like · comment · see review
May 21, 2020Huzaifa Irfan rated it liked it This is an enchanting story of Prophet Muhammad (s) told by Deepak Chopra in the form of a novel where the narrator changes; this story is being told by Muhammad's companions, starting from Abdul Mutalib and ending on Abu Sufyan, Deepak Chopra through their lense understand and tell about Muhammad (s) and how he changed the their world: starting from NOBODY, humanist indifferent to different religions, tolerant towards all. Then a sudden transformation, becoming an unreluctant messenger of God, doing things he normally doesn't like, it was a hard, painful and most powerful aspect of his life.
Arousing from nothingness to domination of the Arab world ― from meek to unstoppable, from the submitter to Dominator, from being peaceful to clearance of Arabia from idolatry. Despite unwilling, he imposed what God asked him to. Muhammad (s) to Depak Chopra is the only human (unlike Jesus (a.s) and Budda) man that is successful beyond anyone imagination and still dominate the world ideologically; it has caused havoc and provide greatest civilizations and hope to millions ― you might hate or love Muhammed (s) but according to Depak Chopra, one thing you can't do is to ignore the more of human prophet Muhammad (s) ― now, past and the age(s) to come.
This is biographical novel narrated by Depak Chopra through nineteen different acquaintances of prophet Muhammad (s); these includes women, men of every caste: slaves, rich merchants, believers and skeptic, and rejectors alike, everyone of it tell their own tale and experiences about what they had experienced in their lives, in regards to Muhammad (s) ― before and after prophethood, it has three chapters; the life before prophethood, the angel embrace and God's warrior, the story goes through multiple people but remains consistent and everyone has to say something different. . Large chunk of this story is all about stories before prophethood and rest about new faith: it shows Muhammad (s) lineage, his wet nurse, his mother, his father, his childhood, then wondering and discussion about God, his marriage to rich merchant Khadija, daughters and after angel embrace, it is more of summary of activities recorded in hadith literature. . The most important aspect I loved about Depak is how well he gone inside characters to tell a story from their side, it doesn't even feel that the writing is naraating a story but the character he chose to tell, does it ― I was enthralled especially in the way he gone down to tell story from mouth of hypocrite ( who proclaimed to be muslim but was not ) against Muhammad (s) yet it was respectful, he made prophet Muhammad (s) the best he can. . However, I still found character narrating stories that don't concern them or they are oblivious to it in original, I found it more inspired from popular ahadith then actual history, you can say it is rather a novel form of history told in most of the papular hadith literature ― this makes it weak, and vulnerable, it is not the work of research to bring out truth, however, he also put some controversial issues, like age of Ayesha (r.a) to be 9 at marriage, killing off whole Jew tribe of Madina so on― I found no need for it, if he desired so, researched more, and presented unbiased independent of what muslims considers or believe normally, as I inclined to have Quran inclined history. . Moreover, a Good read! 🌸 (less) flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
Aug 08, 2011Sharon rated it really liked it Deepak Chopra tells the life story of the prophet Mohammed and how Islam came to be created. Each chapter is the memory of someone who had close contact to the man--a wife or daughter or friend, even his lifelong enemy. One of them, Ali, the first convert, says, "Let me tell you how the Prophet opened the door of my soul, so that he may open yours." Mohammed was just an ordinary man who received a command from the Angel Gabriel to 'recite' even though that was the last thing he was used to doing or capable of doing. His 'divine task was to convince his people to denounce their ancestral idol worship and superstitious veneration of multiple gods'. Mohammed says of them,"They believe in no God and trust none of the gods they do believe in. My secret is that God is not someone you can seek. He is in all things, and always has been. He created this earth and then disappeared into it, like an ocean disappearing into a drop of water." The revelations that Mohammed received changed the world and this book is well worth the read. (less) flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
Apr 08, 2012Sanjida Kamal rated it liked it This is an important book to read for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Religion in general is a touchy subject and no matter how an author discusses it, criticism is bound to appear. I didn't know much about Muhammad and the beginnings of Islam before but I think this book provided a good introduction to how Islam came about, not so much what Islam teaches. Having the story told from different perspectives in a fictionalized manner made the story easier to comprehend. The feelings of the individuals that were portrayed aren't accurate because it is fictionalized as the author mentions in the introduction. This is a great book to read for people that are merely curious and don't want an overload of information. I appreciated the author's writing style as it seemed respectful of Islam, though there could have been more of a distinction between how Islam should be practiced and how it it is perceived. This is especially true when the author speaks about Jihad. Despite the fact, it was still a great read. I might even read Chopra's other books on Buddha and Jesus. (less) flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
It touched the Prophet's life from the "surface". I had expected a "deeper" analysis of His life and teachings so this was not the book that catered to my expectations.
However, I must at the same time admit that the pleasure of easy reading was coupled with learning new facts and a fresh way of looking at events.
Each chapter is relayed from the viewpoint of a different character which was very clever. It gave the reader insight into Muhammad's life through the eyes of family, traitors, enemy, trades people, slaves... If you are looking for an introduction to the life of Muhammad and the basic teachings of Islam, this is the book. (less) flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
Nov 19, 2010Matt rated it really liked it It was a great read. I am on a personal journey to learn as much as I can about religions across the world, and this I found was very enlightening. Chopra does an amazing job of weaving a tale of the up and downs of the life of Muhammad, and expressing the positives and negatives of this influential historical character. A must read for any one who has questions on Islam and their Prophet. flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
Jun 02, 2011Brian rated it did not like it I am listening to the audiobook which is narrated by he author. While I enjoy his Indian accent, and I know that he is a successful author, I find his reading talent a bit limited. So far, his monotone has made quite a challenge for me to follow the story. I could not finish the book, it could not hold my interest. flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
Feb 05, 2015Maryam Kd rated it did not like it I wouldn't recommend this book to those who want to learn about Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). As some had said, I also felt some resentment in the words written by the author. A much better alternative would be "Muhammad: His life based on the earliest sources" by Martin Lings or "Muhammad:Man of God" by Seyyed Hossein Nasr. (less) flag4 likes · Like · comment · see review
Mar 24, 2015H rated it really liked it Didn't enjoy this as much as 'Jesus' and 'God', perhaps it's because I'm a catholic. Well written as usual from Chopra, gave me a lot of new information about the origin and fundamentals of Islam, as well as always reminded me of the nature of human beings. I think the Prophet Mohammed PBUH would hang his head today. (less) flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
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Overall 4 out of 5 stars Performance 4 out of 5 stars Story 4 out of 5 stars
匿名 25-10-2020
A Nice Perspective
I was interested in this book because Audibles selection on Islam is super limited and mostly anti-islamic material. The novel jumps around a lot so you need to have some idea of the history of Islam to follow it. Also the production value is low and although I love when readers narrate, I felt it didnt fit this book and it was somewhat different to hear clearly.
6 people found this helpful
Overall 3 out of 5 stars
Victor 30-12-2010 Great story, poor naration
This is a great story told in an interesting way but the reader is not very good.
6 people found this helpful
Overall 5 out of 5 stars Performance 5 out of 5 stars Story 5 out of 5 stars
Ash 25-04-2021
Great Exercise for Story from Different Take
Listening to a novel taking on origin of Islam is interesting to say least. The imagination of the writer is appreciated. However, many of chronology of events & facts as were transmitted through Muslim scholars are not as accurate which was mentioned by writer in his introduction. It is still a novel that tales an interesting story to those who are interested to be introduced to Mohamed the Prophet. There are plethora of scholarly work that can be looked at for those who are interested. I would recommend the following as an example only;
Sahih Bukhari, Sealed Nectar (Al Raheeq Al Makhtom ), &
fikh Al Syrah by Imam Ghazali.
Thanks for good work.
2 people found this helpful
Overall 1 out of 5 stars
Shahrad Milanfar 21-10-2010
Poorly written and poorly narrated
I was a bit surprised about how poorly written and narrated this book was. Dr. Chopra is capable of much better writing. He certainly should have let a professional narrator do the reading.
7 people found this helpful
Overall 3 out of 5 stars
susan 19-04-2011
Okay
trunkated story of the life of Muhammed, at times it was hard to hear the narrator
3 people found this helpful
Overall 2 out of 5 stars Performance 2 out of 5 stars Story 2 out of 5 stars
Davidgonzalezsr 28-03-2022
Bazinga
I'm spending some time in Saudi Arabi and wanted to learn about the customs, courtesies, and history. Jeddah is a beautiful city and I look forward to learning more about the country.
This was my third book on Muhammad in as many months. It was available via the Audible Plus catalog. It was not very informative or interesting. The narration by the author was fine.
If you have recommendations please comment below with title and author and I will look into them. Thank you in advance.
Disclaimer: My enjoyment of the narrator is based on my listening speed. I only leave 5 stars for books I've listened to or will listen to multiple times. I'll update my review if I listen again.
Overall 1 out of 5 stars Performance 1 out of 5 stars Story 1 out of 5 stars
pooneh 27-03-2022
Monotonous and boring
So hard to listen to. Confusing, scattered, and choppy. Stories have no references and not clear how someone illiterate can speak so eloquently and record their diaries (not Muhammad but others too). Didn’t enjoy at all despite being familiar with most of the characters and stories from other sources as I was growing up.. sorry. Expected much more.
Overall 2 out of 5 stars Performance 3 out of 5 stars Story 1 out of 5 stars
Carmen Lang 31-01-2022
Oversimplified with errors
I'm sure Deepak Chopra had the best of intentions with this book and for that I give him an A for effort. However as a Muslim and someone who's more familiar with the life of the prophet, his character his, his behavior, his way of thinking, his reverence for Allah and his overall temperament, through our Hadith , I found this book very erroneous and oversimplified. I wanted to do a review one quarter way through chapter one but since audible wouldn't let me I continue to listen and actually listen two parts of chapter 11. For what anyone interested in the history of Islam and the story of the prophet Muhammad I was suggest they read a book by a Muslim author that understands s e e r a h and Hadith and the importance of not over simplifying with made up character emotions and thoughts. However I do commend Deepak for his attempt.
Overall 3 out of 5 stars Performance 3 out of 5 stars Story 3 out of 5 stars
Kevin Hallock 03-01-2022
Provided a new perspective
I learned much about the context in which Islam developed during its formative years; it was a very different world with different values.
Would have been better with a professional narrator.
Overall 1 out of 5 stars Performance 1 out of 5 stars Story 1 out of 5 stars
Amazon Customer 01-10-2021
Worse than I thought
I found it sad and disrespectful in many ways. Deepak completely failed to touch the surface of something that could of been a beautiful story.
