Very interesting, educational and easy to listen to.

I found these studies very interesting, educational and easy to listen to. I’ve learned much that I didn’t know about the foundation of Islam.

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A decent and balanced account

A balanced account of the life of Islam's central figure by a Westerner that neither seeks to demonize or white wash this important historical person.

It portrays Mohamed as Muslims see him for his virtue while also discussing the controversial aspects of his life that sit uneasily with the modern Western mind and its values, like his child bride and polygamy. Though the author could have mentioned that the true age of Aisha is actually subject to debate, she may have been older or that much of the hadith is up for debate with some schools of Islamic thought rejecting it. But this casts a shadow as uncomfortable and perplexing as the trinity in Christianity or possible anti semitism of the Bible which religious adherents and the non religious struggle to make sense of so it is good the author did not shy away from issue. Indeed all religions have their problems but at the same time the great and the good should not be dismissed or judged solely by this which has become a norm in cancel culture or the way New Atheists view religion.

I also appreciated the perspective of offense to cartoons, would magazines be allowed to caricature black people or Jews as evil according to the worst historical prejudices there are? Well, they used to but imagine that now if you will and would you be rushing to defend such cartoons in the name of freedom of expression and would they be allowed in the modern world? There seems to be a double standard on all sides but those angry should remember that freedom of expression is sacrosanct in the West and that it protects all but also that religion is sacred in the East so maybe we should finish with the Koran itself which tells its followers to respect the laws of the society they live in.

Overall a good and valuable course book and very well narrated.

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Very well presented

I’ve listened to many many of the Great Courses audio books and this was one of the best. Thoroughly enjoyed every lecture, perfectly presented and very interesting

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Gairid go leor ach fiúntach

Eolas suimiúil ar scéal Mhahamad agus cúpla gné dá oidhreacht ó shaineolaí i léann an reiligiúin (seachas staraí per se). Ní miste cuimhneadh gur i scríbhinní an reiligiúin féin a thagann nach mór gach cuid den eolas céanna anuas chugainn, rud atá fíor faoi Íosa freisin dála an scéil, agus nach gceileann ár leachtoir orainn. D'fhéadfaí sraith léachtaí dhá nó trí oiread chomh fada a dhéanamh ar an ábhar seo. Tugtar léargas dúinn ar an bhfáidh mór agus ar staid iardheisceart na hÁise lena linn

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Good biography for beginners

Covering the Prophet's life this is generally a very good biography.

Minor complaints when it comes to after his death concerning Ali. Saying that he was dissapointed having to wait to be Khalifah, or that he had issues with Abu Bakr. It's a narrative easily disproven.

Overall though, it worth a listen. Particularly for non-Muslims as it was also written by one.
It's free on Audible Plus, so go beyond the orientalist agenda driven narratives, have a listen and learn why this person means so much to over one and a half billion people around the world.

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Poor

Well narrated but there’s only a superficial examination of the animosity of Islam to none Muslim.There are many who are oppressed due the frightening hold of sharia law.

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A not so Great Course

A soppy panegyric in the form of a largely narrative account that accepts fictional events as historical reality. No critique is offered on the oral transmission of most of the evidence. Not for those who want a critical study of an important individual and the religion he established. At best, a comforting account for believers, who would already know what is being related.

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Too biased towards Muslims

It was a good overview, but in many points she purposefully hides violent actions committed by the early Muslims. In some cases, she outright lies about Muhammad not committing certain violent acts, when all biographies about Muhammad show that he did. As someone who’s already studied the biography of Muhammad, I could spot her dishonesty, but most won’t.

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1 person found this helpful

see for my self

In response to the only other review here...

The book is about the legacy of Muhammad not the legacy of Muslims or of early ones. I doubt many or any one person has read every single biography of Muhammad and in every single language and I very much doubt ALL of them talks about violence, I mean you just said this one doesn't if you consider this a biography. Both ways you'd be lying.

 

I'll update this and remove my comment after I have finished it but I can judge for myself.

 

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