Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction

As the founder of Islam Muhammad is one of the most influential figures in history. The furor surrounding the Satanic Verses and the Danish cartoon crisis reminded the world of the tremendous importance of the prophet of Islam, Muhammad. Learning about his life and understanding its importance, however, has always proven difficult. Our knowledge of Muhammad comes from the biography of him written by his followers, but Western historians have questioned the reliability of this story in their quest to uncover the 'historical Muhammad'. As modern controversies have shown, whatever the truth about Muhammad's life, his persona has taken on numerous shapes and played a crucial role in Muslim life and civilization. This Very Short Introduction provides an introduction to the major aspects of Muhammad's life and its importance, providing both the Muslim and Western historical perspectives. It also explains the prominent roles that Muhammad's persona has played in the Islamic world, from the medieval to the modern period. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. 'This is an excellent introduction to the life of Muhammad. Dr Brown is providing the reader with a rigorous study based on the classical Islamic tradition, yet well balanced between elements of faith and rational discussions, useful for Muslims and non Muslims alike. Very easy to read, profound and interesting to study.' Tariq Ramadan 'This is a masterful treatment...informed by first rate scholarship yet engaging, accessible, and distinctively different from previous books on Muhammad' John L. Esposito, Georgetown University, and author of 'The Future of Islam'.Preface ; 1. The Life of the Messenger of God ; 2. Shaping Muhammad in History ; 3. Muhammad in Islamic Civilization ; Further Reading