The Wisdom of the Prophet: The Sayings of Muhammad [Paperback]

Thomas Cleary (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2001 | Series: Shambhala Classics

The Wisdom of the Prophet contains a rich selection of hadith, or traditional teaching stories based on the words and deeds of Muhammad, that have brought inspiration and guidance to spiritual seekers for centuries. The passages in this collection, chosen for their universal appeal, reveal both Muhammad's profound worldly wisdom and his lofty spiritual vision. The Wisdom of the Prophet contains more than two hundred authentic stories and sayings of Muhammad translated by Thomas Cleary, the translator of The Essential Koran.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In his lifetime, the prophet Muhammad was viewed more as a wise sage (favored in the eyes of God, albeit) than as a saintly figure beyond worldly concern. The reason is evident in the pages of Wisdom of the Prophet, a selection of passages from the Hadith that record Muhammad's sayings and actions. Anyone wishing to understand Islamic spirituality or seeking a holy path of one's own can turn to passages such as "God is kind and loves kindness, and grants to kindness what is not granted to harshness," or "There are five kinds of martyrs: One who dies of plague; one who dies of a disease of the stomach or intestines; one who drowns; one who is crushed in a collapsing building; and one who is martyred in the way of God." Some passages are not exactly crystal clear, however, and one is not sure if something has been lost in translation or if they are simply in need of a little cross-cultural commentary. For instance: "[T]he Hour will not take place until two parties fight each other with one and the same aim." Nonetheless, the themes of charity, faith in God, service, and fairness stand out, and make The Wisdom of the Prophet a good entry into the richness of Islam. --Brian Bruya

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Arabic

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (October 16, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570628254
• ISBN-13: 978-1570628252
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.5 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,483 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Islam > Hadith
  • #42 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Quran

More About the Author

Thomas Cleary is the preeminent translator of classic Eastern texts, including The Essential Tao, The Essential Confucius, The Secret of the Golden Flower, and the bestselling The Art of War.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice, August 23, 2002

By 

Munir "ahmad" (Cerritos, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wisdom of the Prophet: The Sayings of Muhammad (Paperback)

This short book of prophetic sayings conveys more of the spirit of Islam than many scholarly books of much greater length. In particular, it shows Islam's integrative, balanced nature, through the author's diverse selection of hadiths- such as those of companions extolling the Prophet's bravery and skill in battle, his advice to repeat "Glory to God," 33 times after prayers, and his encouragement of smiling as an act of worship. I give it 4 stars because some selections seem to be abridged without indication.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars reborn muslim, May 29, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Wisdom of the Prophet: The Sayings of Muhammad (Paperback)

this book was incredible and made me a reborn Muslim. It talks about the most simplest ideas in a very organized and everyday laguage. The sayings were translated in a profound and clear manner. I would suggest this book especially for those folks who are avid readers of western books and are used to sort everyday books. Even non-Muslims can learn a great deal from this piece and see how parallel any spiritual belonging can bring out of a person.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Book, May 24, 2007

By 

A. Durrani - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Wisdom of the Prophet: The Sayings of Muhammad (Paperback)

Dr. Cleary has done a marvelous job of compiling the wisdom of the greatest man to walk on earth. Indeed, the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) was sent as a mercy to mankind and this book illustrates that so beautifully! A must read!