Reviewed by ASIF ANWAR ALIG
H
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Islam
is a fastest growing faith today. Countless people return to it after listening
to their conscience for sustainable life here and hereafter. The followers must
learn and unlearn its variegated perceptions. Facts about the life of prophet are
often misconstrued in prejudice and platitude. What made him a highly admired person—husband,
father, leader and last but not the least esteemed prophet? Hazleton’s book is seminal
vividness of narration. It is engaging and expressive portrayal of prophet’s
life.
Doubly
orphaned childhood and leaving bigger impact on his tribesmen in early youth with
inevitable honestly are notable facts mentioned about prophet’s personality. This
book elaborates details like his marriages, journey to accept divine truth, solitary
meditations and advocating for the socio-political transformations in the Arab
culture fourteen centuries ago.
Islamic
revolution in the lifetime of prophet is a subject to study even today. Through
foolproof portrayal this book mentions prophet’s forced exit from Makkah to Medina
(then Yathrib) to other key incidences associated with his life. He was infallible
prophet with a vision and a loving family man. Equally was he adorable leader, Hazleton
mentions descriptively. His introspective philosophical thoughts and the seal on
prophet-hood are universally relevant for the mankind.
Islam
didn’t spread easily. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his early companions fought several
wars and encountered too much pain and destruction. He was a highly calculative
political strategist with thorough understanding of cultural identities of
Arabs. His spiritual revolution brought social change in the Arabian Peninsula.
This book details the contexts of his marriages to hurdles he faced until arriving
at the holy site Kaaba to perform Hajj years after his exile. Such richly
detailed facts are delicate information in a refreshing tone.
Hazleton
mentions how Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught Islamic teachings to followers by a
life he led. She highlights his forgiving enemies in Makkah who had done worst atrocities
on him. Prophet’s vision in early 7th century was far ahead of the modern
era. This book opines that prophet could have become a big political figure while
ruling the hearts of common masses once Islam began to spread in far off
regions. He didn’t do that but rather confined in Medina and conceded most trusted
companions Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (RA); Umar Ibn Khattab (RA); Uthman Ibn Affan
(RA) and Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA) for the political overbearing. Prophet’s patronage
to spread the message of Allah continued until he breathed his last on 8 June
632 CE in Medina.
Book’s
narration is an amazing tale of prophet’s life but one still questions the authentically
of facts. The prophet of Islam was as much political leader as preacher. His
life and Holy Qur’an are two miracles—pathfinders for mankind. He insisted his followers
that Moses and Jesus were the prophets like him so they must be equally
respected. As a visionary leader he was far ahead of his time.


Hazleton
has keen eye one the fascinating but misunderstood facts pertaining to prophet’s
life. This lucid biography projects many facets of this personality like transition
from humble messenger to a visionary political leader and thinker. He preached peacefully
but led his people as a war leader. Such mesmeric information in the story is substantial
explanation.
Issues
like the suspicion of infidelity surrounding prophet’s 3rd wife Aisha
to mass beheadings of the surrendered Jewish Qurayza tribes during the sectarian
wars in Medina require cross verifications. Authentic books on Islamic history highlight
the contexts surrounding such events.
Readers
find this book unique in a contextual understanding of prophet’s life. It narrates
how a spiritual leader led a small community 14 centuries ago but became a role
model for entire mankind thereafter.
This book review was first published in Radiance Viewsweekly magazine in New Delhi on June 12, 2016.
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