Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?

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- PeruvianSkies
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Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
OP - February 19, 2009, 09:52 AM

I don't know much about his life so was wondering what the best place to start is?

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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #1 - February 19, 2009, 10:01 AM

Try these for a start:

Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources by Martin Lings - A bit dry but very informative.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Muhammad-Life-Based-Earliest-Sources/dp/1594771537/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235037422&sr=8-1

Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet by Karen Armstrong - An easily readable bio of Mo.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Muhammad-Biography-Prophet-Karen-Armstrong/dp/1842126083/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235037478&sr=8-5

The Prophet Muhammad: A Biography by Barnaby Rogerson - Again, very insightful and readable.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prophet-Muhammad-Biography-Barnaby-Rogerson/dp/0349115869/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235037582&sr=8-13

The Messenger: The Meaning of the Life of Muhammad by Tariq Ramadan - I haven't read this one yet but plan to eventually.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Messenger-Meanings-Life-Muhammad/dp/0141028556/ref=pd_sim_b_njs_1

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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #2 - February 19, 2009, 10:05 AM

Ooh thanks, that's great

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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #3 - February 19, 2009, 10:09 AM

No probs! I've had this obsession with reading books about Islam and especially Women in Muslim societies for, like, my entire life so that pretty much means I've read most of the interesting books on the Islam shelf at the local bookshop and library.

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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #4 - February 19, 2009, 11:41 AM

www.amazon.com/Life-Muhammad-I-Ishaq/dp/0196360331

May I make a suggestion Peruvian? I think all sources are likely to be biased, because Mohammed's character is of paramount importance to Muslims, non Muslims living in proximity to Muslims,as well as potential converts and apostates, so its to be expected that sources about him will either try to golrify or demonize him. Why not go to the original sources? The Bukhari and Muslim hadiths, which are recognized as the most reliable hadiths as well as Ibn Ishaq's Sira.

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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #5 - February 19, 2009, 01:56 PM

I don't mind reading for anyone, but beware that Karen Armstrong is a serious Islamic apologetic;

she justified the killing of Banu Quraiza in a real biased and illogical way..!

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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #6 - February 19, 2009, 02:06 PM

www.jihadwatch.org/archives/017141.php
Spencer's invited Karen Armstrong for a debate, he claims and I don't think he'll blatantly lie on his site..

Quote from: Emerald on February 19, 2009, 01:56 PM
I don't mind reading for anyone, but beware that Karen Armstrong is a serious Islamic apologetic;

she justified the killing of Banu Quraiza in a real biased and illogical way..!

IMO, both Spencer and Karen Armstrong are biased but Spencer is willing to debate Armstrong, which shows either his superior debating skills or that he has facts to support his claims.

World renowned historian Will Durant"...the Islamic conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in history. It is a discouraging tale, for its evident moral is that civilization is a precious good, whose delicate complex order and freedom can at any moment be overthrown..."
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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #7 - February 19, 2009, 02:16 PM

Quote from: Rashna on February 19, 2009, 11:41 AM
www.amazon.com/Life-Muhammad-I-Ishaq/dp/0196360331

May I make a suggestion Peruvian? I think all sources are likely to be biased, because Mohammed's character is of paramount importance to Muslims, non Muslims living in proximity to Muslims,as well as potential converts and apostates, so its to be expected that sources about him will either try to golrify or demonize him. Why not go to the original sources? The Bukhari and Muslim hadiths, which are recognized as the most reliable hadiths as well as Ibn Ishaq's Sira.

That's a good point. That's been on my list of things to do, I really should get on with it soon.

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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #8 - February 19, 2009, 02:55 PM

Ibn Warraq's book "Why I am not a Muslim" is the best commonly available non-biased book. (You can get it on Amazon).
I'd suggest reading it at the same time as reading one of Karen Armstrong's books for example.
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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #9 - February 19, 2009, 03:14 PM

Quote from: hupla on February 19, 2009, 02:55 PM
Ibn Warraq's book "Why I am not a Muslim" is the best commonly available non-biased book. (You can get it on Amazon).
I'd suggest reading it at the same time as reading one of Karen Armstrong's books for example.

I disagree. I've read most of that book and it is incredibly biased. He backs everything up but it only shows one side of Islam.

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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #10 - February 19, 2009, 03:54 PM

The best source to read about Mo would be the Sirat Rasoul Allah by ibn Ishaq, I know that FFI has an online english version and here's the link to it http://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/sira/index.htm

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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #11 - February 19, 2009, 03:58 PM

Ali Dashti-Twenty three years

Pretty good also as it is fair and shows evidence.

Can be found on the FFI site.

(Follow the link posted above by Anti and click on library)

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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #12 - March 07, 2009, 09:48 AM

I've just found a book about Mo in my dads collection written by Karen Armstrong. It's called Mohammed, Prophet of our Time. I've just skimmed through the first few pages, you'd think Karen was a muslim reading this.

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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #13 - March 07, 2009, 09:54 AM

K.A. justified Banu Quraiza's massacre,

I wonder why she doesn't embrace the religion of our time..!!

"I'm Agnostic about God."

Richard Dawkins
==
"If there is a God, it has to be a man; no woman could or would ever fuck things up like this."
George Carlin == "...The so-called moderates are actually the public relations arm of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic Republic of Iran." Maryam Namazie
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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #14 - March 07, 2009, 09:54 AM

Quote from: PeruvianSkies on March 07, 2009, 09:48 AM
I've just found a book about Mo in my dads collection written by Karen Armstrong. It's called Mohammed, Prophet of our Time. I've just skimmed through the first few pages, you'd think Karen was a muslim reading this.

Lol, she always wins the Dhimmi of the year award.

"I am ready to make my confession. I ask for no forgiveness father, for I have not sinned. I have only done what I needed to do to survive. I did not ask for the life that I was given, but it was given nonetheless-and with it, I did my best"
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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #15 - March 07, 2009, 10:06 AM

This explains why my dad is such an apologetic. I should show him Ibn Warraq's book but he is so biased.

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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #16 - March 07, 2009, 10:13 AM

Quote from: PeruvianSkies on March 07, 2009, 10:06 AM
This explains why my dad is such an apologetic. I should show him Ibn Warraq's book but he is so biased.

===========

Yes, but Warraq raises some good points, many times referenced.... go 4 it.

"I'm Agnostic about God."

Richard Dawkins
==
"If there is a God, it has to be a man; no woman could or would ever fuck things up like this."
George Carlin == "...The so-called moderates are actually the public relations arm of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic Republic of Iran." Maryam Namazie
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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #17 - March 07, 2009, 10:18 AM

Might have to when we get into another serious debate. But then he might think I'm only reading anti-Islamic books.

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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #18 - March 07, 2009, 03:01 PM

@ Peruvian, how far do you think its fair to challenge religious folks' irrational beliefs, if they don't cause any harm? This is a question I've wrestled with myself.

My grandfather is a devout Muslim & a genuinely nice guy, he's never interfered with anyone's religious freedoms, & hates no one for their faith, or lack thereof.

He's the first to denounce Islamic extremism or misogyny & the last to blame others. He always says that the "blame game" should start by looking for problems within the Ummah, rather than pinning it on someone else. I know Islam is a tremendous source of comfort for him. He truly believes that one of the Prophet's foremost aims was the emancipation of women, & its the duty of every Muslim to further that.

I don't agree, but should I challenge his beliefs, when he's so secure in them & they're a tremendous source of solace to him?
Of course, if someone interferes with others' freedoms due to their beliefs, like my cousin Adil does, I'd debate them, & try my best to change their views.

But should we\ought we debate everyone? I'm not so sure,what do you think?

World renowned historian Will Durant"...the Islamic conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in history. It is a discouraging tale, for its evident moral is that civilization is a precious good, whose delicate complex order and freedom can at any moment be overthrown..."
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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #19 - March 07, 2009, 03:21 PM

It's a question that bothers me too. I don't usually debate with muslims or make the comforted religious types lose faith. Sometimes I may teach them to question things instead of accepting it blindly. My siblings will certainly not be raised as brainwashed people. I'm glad my sister saw through the shit in religion before I even spoke to her about it, and I have confirmed her doubts to her. My brother is still quite young but is becoming brainwashed, luckily he respects me and I teach him to question when I see he isn't thinking about things properly (such as creationism issues).

I'm not overly concerned about making my dad lose faith which is why I don't really want to show him Ibn Warraq's book. He is really at peace with his religion and is a good man but I want him to understand the other side of the argument too and hopefully this way he can accept my apostasy.

It does annoy me when muslims spread crap about how Islam treats women equally. I'm a member of a debate forum where muslims frequently do this. I haven't challenged them though, I let them feed this crap to non-muslims (though some see through it luckily). I'm not strong enough to go against them all.

If it's in real life then I will question any harmful beliefs people have. I cant tolerate such behaviour. I do get urges to try and deconvert people. The more apostates there are, the better the chances of people devoted to campaigns like this one, and that is a good thing. Shariah law will become more scrutinised and it's horrible truths more recognised.

If deconverting will cause harm to the person then I'd rather leave them, but otherwise what if it adds to the greater good?

Utilitarian ethics have started to become quite appealing to me recently.

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Re: Best sources to learn about the life of Mohammed?
Reply #20 - March 07, 2009, 03:42 PM

Do Muslims really deserve the luxury of living comfortably with their doctrines, while minority groups are being persecuted? That is the question one should ask.

Islam: where idiots meet terrorists.
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