Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time (Eminent Lives)

"Islamic Sex Laws Are Easy to Break, Impossible to Enforce" Los Angeles Daily Journal August 5, 1999 By Khaled Abou El Fadl Laws endeavor to resolve conflicts and regulate human behavior. However, often the real force of law is in making moral points, educating and indoctrinating. Some legal systems moralize explicitly, while other legal systems indulge in the fiction of moral neutrality. But all legal systems say something about the morality of right and wrong. For example, in Islamic law, one of the world's oldest and perhaps most significant legal systems, sometimes morality is the only point - which is hardly surprising considering that Islamic law is also a religious system. But what is fascinating about Islamic law is the way it balances competing moralities at the expense of the possibility of enforcement. For instance, Islamic law is reputed to be a rather strict, puritan legal system. This is both true and false. Consider the way Islamic law punishes illicit sexual relations. The punishment for fornication or adultery in Islam is rather harsh. A fornicator is flogged 100 lashes, and an adulterer is stoned to death. However, adultery or fornication can only be proven in two ways. First, it can be proven by a free, uncoerced confession that is repeated three times on three separate occasions. If the alleged perpetrator confesses twice but recants on the third time, he or she cannot be punished. The second way fornication or adultery can be proven is by the testimony of four adult males who witness the actual act of penetration. It is not sufficient for the witnesses to catch the couple naked in bed. Likewise, if the witnesses see an act of oral copulation, that is not sufficient. A videotape or pregnancy is also inadequate to prove fornication or adultery. Furthermore, the evidence is excluded if the witnesses violate the defendant's privacy. In other words, spying will not do. A false accusation of adultery or fornication will result in punishment for sexual slander, which is 60 hard lashes. For example, if three witnesses say they saw the act of penetration while the fourth witness changes his mind at the last minute saying, "I am not sure I saw the penetration," then the first three witnesses are punished for slander. Obviously, in Islamic law the crime of fornication or adultery is hard, if not impossible, to prove. So why have the punishment at all? There are two competing values here. Illicit sexual relations must be condemned. At the same time, people should mind their own business, and spying or slandering cannot be tolerated. The solution was to make the moral point that fornication and adultery are terrible crimes, and only if they could be proven would they be punished severely. Nevertheless, the issue is generally between a person and God. Societal interests are implicated when these crimes are committed openly and publicly. At the same time, an accusatory culture in which people spy and slander is reprehensible, and that will be punished as well. Unlike our legal system, making the moral point is a sufficient justification for the law, even with practically no chance of enforcement.

It’s one my favorites books. I highly recommend reading it. Don’t watch news, read and learn yourself.

"Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time" is a compelling and thought-provoking biography that delves deep into the life of the Prophet Muhammad. Karen Armstrong's meticulous research and engaging writing style make this book a worthwhile read for those seeking to understand the historical and spiritual significance of Muhammad. Armstrong paints a vivid picture of the Prophet's life, from his early days in Mecca to his later years as the leader of the Muslim community in Medina. The book provides a balanced portrayal of Muhammad, exploring both his human vulnerabilities and his extraordinary spiritual insights. One of the book's strengths is its exploration of the cultural and historical context in which Muhammad lived. Armstrong skillfully navigates the complexities of seventh-century Arabia, shedding light on the social, political, and religious forces that shaped Muhammad's teachings and actions. I appreciated the author's efforts to dispel misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding Islam and the Prophet. She presents Muhammad as a multifaceted figure who sought to bring about social justice, compassion, and a deeper connection with the divine. Moreover, the book highlights the relevance of Muhammad's teachings in contemporary times. Armstrong draws parallels between the challenges faced by Muhammad and the issues confronting the world today, offering insights into how his messages can still resonate and inspire positive change. While "Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time" is undoubtedly a valuable read, it might not be the best starting point for readers completely new to Islamic history. The depth of historical context and the intricacies of Muhammad's life may be overwhelming for some, leading to occasional confusion. Additionally, some readers might find the narrative too dense at times, requiring extra attention to fully grasp the details and nuances presented. In conclusion, "Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time" is a commendable biography that sheds light on the life and teachings of one of history's most influential figures. Karen Armstrong's scholarship and dedication to accuracy make this book a valuable addition to the understanding of Muhammad's legacy and the early history of Islam. With the caveat that it might not be the most accessible read for beginners, I believe this book deserves a four-star rating for its in-depth exploration, cultural insights, and its relevance in promoting understanding and respect for different faiths and cultures.

I've been studying Islam, and Muhammad for quite some time. Karen Armstrong portrays Muhammad as a real person, and gives a rather refreshing, and honest perspective on Muhammad. I've never loved this man so much in my life as I did while reading this book. She does a fantastic job at helping you understand the culture behind the Prophet, and the why's behind what happened in 600 AD. Armstrong has a vast understanding of Islam, as evidenced by her simple yet profound way of explaining things that have been lost in translation for far too long. She does an excellent job of making Muhammad an understandable person. She preserved much of the poetry of the Qur'an, while making it accessible to the Western reader. She understood who she was writing for when she wrote this book. You do NOT need to study arabic, the Qur'an, or any other books to be able to pick this book up, and grow to understand Muhammad more. This makes a great intro book, but it has enough unique substance that a someone who has been studying Islam heavily for a year will still find this insightful. If you are interested in Islam, or the life of Muhammad, don't pass this book by. Buy it, and grow to understand this unique culture that has become one of the global hotspots of today.

We've found this to be an excellent biography for the incarcerated Muslims we serve.

Karen did a great job of this one. She's a known writer in spirituality. This helps the reader to situate Mohammed in a spiritual sense and help the reader grasp the setting in which he came to be such a leader in his time. If nothing else it might help to demythologize Mohammed too as most of the talk of the day seems to do just the opposite. Karen does a great job of enhancing the history to reveal how Mohammed might have traveled his spiritual journey and found his way. Sometimes we of other faiths would do well to read the spiritual journey of others. This way we can measure our own faith and sense of spirituality and see that we are not the only ones who seek to know God in a special way. She does not get political nor endorse or reject any of what is occurring today within the Muslim world--that is another place and another book, not here.

We need more Karen Armstrongs on earth. Karen sets the vibe in the very beginning of this book. She wants the reader to learn about the man who advocated people to submit to God (Islam) in an entertaining, positive way. This book is great for people who have little idea about Islam and Muhammad because it doesn't create hatred in the reader. In fact, the perks of this book over others is that: - It promotes peace - It presents an accurate sequence of events that happened in the past - It encourages diverse readers to coexist with others, especially muslims, through the examples provided. - It is really entertaining to read! - You get to learn many English and Arabic words! haha What it doesn't talk about: - Negative, hate promoting speech - Biased explanation of the wisdom behind many of the actions taken by the prophet Karen, thank you so much for putting in the time to learn, interpret, open your heart, and write this book. I read it and loved it. I'm going to pass it down to my friend.

Karen Armstrong, noted religious historian, writes here her second biography of the prophet Muhammad, this time with the explicit intention of combating the rampant Islamophobia of the West. I knew almost nothing of the prophet before reading this book, and so Armstrong's is a welcome (if not scintillating - she can be a bit dry) introduction. I appreciated the historical and cultural context she placed him in, the stories from his life, and her non-condescension towards the spiritual. That said, her bias seems clear by the end: This is a favorable portrayal. Muhammad eschews luxury ("not simply a waste of money, but ingratitude, a thankless squandering of Allah's precious bounty"), he champions religious tolerance, non-violence, and women's rights (the veil was only for his wives, to protect them from his enemies). Armstrong seeks to put his repeated marrying and his sometimes brutal actions (beheading several hundred Jews, for example) into an - again, sympathetic - cultural context. Of course, with books like The Truth About Muhammad: Founder of the World's Most Intolerant Religion on the market, a sympathetic portrayal from a learned outsider is perhaps welcome. Yet I would have appreciated a more balanced-feeling book. And Armstrong gives no clues to the gap between the Muhammad she portrays and the perceptions of Islam by the West today (oppression of women, religious intolerance and violence among certain subpopulations). That said, as Laurie Goodstein writes, this may be a good way "to glimpse how the vast majority of the world's Muslims understand their prophet and their faith" [1]. With those caveats: I would recommend this to a novice desiring to learn of the prophet; but of course, since I haven't read any others, perhaps I'm not the one to ask. (Once I tried Introducing Muhammad but drifted on to other books.) I located three professional reviews easily available on-line. One is positive: "Ms. Armstrong argues that he [Muhammad] prevailed by compassion, wisdom and steadfast submission to God. This is the power of his story and the reason that more parents around the world name their children Muhammad than any other name" [1]. The other two are negative, one on content (the book "is a thinly veiled hagiography" [2]) and the other on style ("Readers will find her style stilted" [3]). [1] Laurie Goodstein, "Seeing Muhammad as Both a Prophet and a Politician," New York Times, 20 Dec 2006. [Also published in the International Herald Tribune.] [2] Efraim Karsh, "The Perfect Surrender," The New York Sun, 25 Sep 2006. [3] Ilan Stavans, "The path of the prophet," Boston Globe, 29 Oct 2006. * I listened to the unabridged audiobook, narrated by the author. It was only six discs but took me a while, as this isn't exactly a page-turner (or track-turner, if you will). ** One aspect I found particularly interesting was that some stories paralleled stories from my own faith tradition, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For example, when one antagonist went to attach Muhammad and was instead converted, followed by another; this is evocative of a story about early Mormon apostle Wilford Woodruff. And when an army of Muslims is slaughtered but their bravery leads to the conversion of many of the attackers, the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehis in the Book of Mormon comes to mind.

When I first picked up this book I did not think that such a small volume would do justice to the subject. I was pleasantly surprised at the breath of coverage provided. Karen Armstrong has succeeded in bringING Muhammad, the man to life in this very human picture that she has painted. When reading the book one gets a true perspective of how difficult his mission was and what an impossible feat he accomplished in uniting the diverse and warring factions that was Arabia in his day. When I started reading this book I had just finished reading a translation of the Koran and I got an interesting perspective on the timing and contextual significance of some of the important verses of the scripture. Ms. Armstrong has also brought out the details of the genuine efforts made by the prophet in his mission to achieve gender equality even though it was completely opposite to the prevailing ideas bout the role of women in society. Ms. Armstrong has succeeded in producing a short but excellent historical work and made it so remarkably easy to read. I really enjoyed it!

Dieses Werk von Karen Armstrong hat mich aufgrund der wunderbaren Erzählung und emphatischen darstellungsweise mehrfach zur Trännen gerührt. Eine wunderbare Tribute an einen der einflussreichsten Persönlichkeiten der Weltgeschichte. Für Anfänger super verständlich aufgearbeitet.

This was bought following an interview with the author that was televised, she was a catholic nun who became an author, I agreed with so much of her ideas this is only one of the books I bought, I haven’t read it yet. Five star rating is for the sellers of the book.

Profound

I was totally captivated by this book. I think that the world needs to know more about the origin of Islam, not what CNN etc portray.