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irfan3's review
4.0
This is a powerful account on the comparison of various depiction of Muhammad across several centuries both from Muslim and non-Muslim writers. It focuses on the controversies of Muhammad's life, particularly concerning his prophethood, polygamy, and marriage with Aisha. This is the first time I read a book that treats Muhammad fairly.
beejai's review
3.0
This is not a biography of Muhammad. Instead, it is a critical analysis and comparison of many of the classic/popular bios that are out there. Kecia Ali covers a series of topics in the life of Muhammad: his calling, his marriage to Kadija, his other wives, his prophethood, etc and he compares what various authors, both Western and Muslim, have written on the issue. I wouldn't recommend this for someone who is just entering into the field, but it is a fairly unbiased examination (albeit a bit dry at times) of the many different views others have had on Muhammad's life.
Here are some quotes I have pulled from the book, but please note that most are not KA's words but rather quotes he has also pulled from others. Many of which he might disagree with...
"Muhammad performed no miracles. His supposed miracles are the fruit of the imagination of his crude and barbaric adepts. The Quran, far from being a miracle, is an incoherent and contradictory assemblage of doctrines borrowed from here and there. As to Muhammad's moral conduct, it is a tissue of debauchery, of carnal pleasures, of lies, and of blood."
"Pedophilia is not (as polygamy once was) merely sensuality or lustfulness unrestrained. Nor is it (as polygamy came to be) an indication of a woman's low status or the broader oppressiveness of Muhammad and Islam toward females. Here Muhammad's practice is viewed as justification for evil meaning that in order to progress, one must reject his legacy."
"Despite common impulses in Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism, the distinctions matter more."
"It is difficult to make a fair comparison of Muhammad with Jesus. Even if religious reverence towards 'the Son of God' did not restrain us, how could we compare the licentious polygamist, the robber, the fiery warrior, the inexorable bigot, with the benevolent majestic 'Son of Man?' "
"Muhammad was a leader of Arabian plunderers: Jesus went about doing good. Muhammad became a warrior at the head of armies: Jesus was the 'Prince of Peace'. Muhammad was a man of unbounded sensuality: Jesus was 'holy, harmless, undefiled, set apart from sinners'. Muhammad was ambitious: Jesus was meek and lowly in heart. Muhammad rests his claims on secret revelations: Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead. Muhammad was a destroyer: Jesus is the Saviour"
"If Islam has failed in raising the hearts of men to the high level of Christianity, it must be because it does not possess in the character of Muhammad what Christianity possesses in the character of the Divine Jesus - a living example of purity and truth."
Here are some quotes I have pulled from the book, but please note that most are not KA's words but rather quotes he has also pulled from others. Many of which he might disagree with...
"Muhammad performed no miracles. His supposed miracles are the fruit of the imagination of his crude and barbaric adepts. The Quran, far from being a miracle, is an incoherent and contradictory assemblage of doctrines borrowed from here and there. As to Muhammad's moral conduct, it is a tissue of debauchery, of carnal pleasures, of lies, and of blood."
"Pedophilia is not (as polygamy once was) merely sensuality or lustfulness unrestrained. Nor is it (as polygamy came to be) an indication of a woman's low status or the broader oppressiveness of Muhammad and Islam toward females. Here Muhammad's practice is viewed as justification for evil meaning that in order to progress, one must reject his legacy."
"Despite common impulses in Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism, the distinctions matter more."
"It is difficult to make a fair comparison of Muhammad with Jesus. Even if religious reverence towards 'the Son of God' did not restrain us, how could we compare the licentious polygamist, the robber, the fiery warrior, the inexorable bigot, with the benevolent majestic 'Son of Man?' "
"Muhammad was a leader of Arabian plunderers: Jesus went about doing good. Muhammad became a warrior at the head of armies: Jesus was the 'Prince of Peace'. Muhammad was a man of unbounded sensuality: Jesus was 'holy, harmless, undefiled, set apart from sinners'. Muhammad was ambitious: Jesus was meek and lowly in heart. Muhammad rests his claims on secret revelations: Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead. Muhammad was a destroyer: Jesus is the Saviour"
"If Islam has failed in raising the hearts of men to the high level of Christianity, it must be because it does not possess in the character of Muhammad what Christianity possesses in the character of the Divine Jesus - a living example of purity and truth."
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