Muhammad, Prophet of God [Paperback]

Daniel C. Peterson (Author), Khaleel Mohammed (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2007

Founding not only a world religion but also an empire and a civilization, the prophet Muhammad was undoubtedly one of the most influential men in history. Amid the swirl of current judgments regarding Muslims and their religion, this book by Daniel Peterson offers a concise, objective, accessible biography of the first Muslim. Blending the texts of traditional sources into an engaging narrative, Peterson begins with the impoverished and orphaned childhood of Muhammad, highlighting his evident strength of will, character, and resourcefulness. Peterson then moves through the prophets life, detailing Muhammads visions and revelations and examining the beginning of a religion that continues to affect the entire world in dramatic ways. Respectful and readable, Muhammad, Prophet of God opens a clear window on the life and influence of the founder of Islam.

Product Details

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (March 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802807542
• ISBN-13: 978-0802807540
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #431,998 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a light in the darkness, April 12, 2007

By 

Steven B. Western "Curious" (Arizona) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Muhammad, Prophet of God (Paperback)

We have been so quick to come up with descriptions of Islam when we know nothing about the religion or it's origins. Terrorists may make up a very radical sect of Islam, but most Moslems are anything but violent and rather put a very high value on human life. Dr. Peterson does a great job, and in an extremely concise and understandable manner, of letting the non-Muslim see the faith as it is and not as the headlines wish to paint Islam. This is a book we need more than we need to make people enemies, and after doing such use, use any horrible words we can think up to slur them.
Muslims are fine, wonderful people, they have their idiots as does any group. Thanks to Peterson for not letting the idiots on both sides, blind us.
For $12, buy it!

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced and thoughtful, September 23, 2007

By 

N. Whiting (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Muhammad, Prophet of God (Paperback)

I found myself wishing I had known the Prophet; Professor Peterson presents a very human picture of Muhammad, his locale and times. His early history includes the known material, without additional speculation.
Because Peterson has also produced scholarly translations of classic Arabic texts, I was prepared for a dry or difficult text, however the author's style is warm and comfortable.
Clearly he enjoys his subject and people.
The separation between well documented events and those possibly or probably added by adherents at a later time is usually clear.
That Muhammad's teachings and more importantly his actions were magnanimous is repeatedly illustrated.
The history and examples of his relationships, and wars, with Jews and Christians was very revealing. He clearly saw them as 'believers', cousins if you will, to the thoughts and patterns of his heart.
What his followers did with those teachings after his death is only briefly recounted. This is not a study in Islamic thought and historical course, it is limited to Muhammad.
The Qur'an is the main reference quoted in the text.
I highly recommend this book, you will enjoy reading it and you will feel much better about Muhammad and Islam.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Introduction to the Founder of Islam, January 28, 2010

By 

Christian M. Ukkestad (Chatsworth, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Muhammad, Prophet of God (Paperback)

In this short biography of Muhammad, Dr. Peterson does a fantastic job of introducting and analyzing the last Prophet of Islam. His writing style is very vivid and clear which makes his narrative very easy to read. Having read this after finishing Ishaq's biography of the same figure, I found this to be a pleasant change of pace. There are a few places here or there which I thought the author could have been a bit more critical, but otherwise, it's excellent. I highly recommend this for the great many in the West who lack any knowledge of Islam or it's founder.