A book review of ‘Concise Guide to the Life of Muhammad’ by By Ayman S Ibrahim
Concise Guide to the Life of Muhammad: Answering Thirty Key Questions (Introducing Islam) is By Ayman S Ibrahim - Professor of Islamic studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Professor Ibrahim’s book is a very handy resource for anyone interested in what can be known about Muhammad.
Each question is dealt with clearly and in a matter-of-fact manner and backed up with sources.
The questions range from the very basic such as whether we can be sure Muhammad is a genuine historical figure through to quite specialist subjects such as whether he made treaties with the Jews.
He makes clear what the average Muslim believes, what their scholars know and the extent to which Islamic sources support or contradict these views.
Where Shi’ite Muslims take a different view to that of the majority Sunnis, he spells that out too.
This is a book for someone who wants to know about Islam as a religion rather than about their Muslim neighbours.
For the non-Muslim reader, it helpfully deconstructs some of the apparently unquestionable “facts” ordinary Muslims are taught and which they confidently assert.
Ibrahim does not intend his work to be used as a source of ammunition to be used against Muslims and I don’t think anyone should it use it that way; it is however a mine of information for those who want to understand more about Muhammed.
The book is written at an academic level but is presented accessibly and engagingly for those who have a keen interest.
Available as paperback or as e-book from popular book sellers.