Customer Reviews

The Wisdom of the Prophet: The Sayings of Muhammad

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Thomas Cleary is an outstanding translator of non-Western books for English-speaking peoples. I have thoroughly enjoyed many of his books. Nevertheless, this work appears to be less worthy.

Basing his work on the Qur'an and Sunnah, Cleary merely quotes appropriate verses, but without comment, without depth.

The Life of Muhammad is one of the most researched. His character is impeccable, his behaviors pure and remarkable. Yet, the reader misses all of this in Cleary's book.

Far better is Karen Armstrong's "Muhammad A Biography of the Prophet". It is ideal for non-Muslims. Martin Lings has written "Muhammad, his life based on the earliest sources". This is ideal for Islamic believers.

Do not buy this book if you want to know everything that is in the Muslim Holy Book, the Hadith, because it is only a partial version. In small print, on the front cover, the author states "selections from the Hadith", and that is what it is, just certain selections. When I want to learn what is in a certain philosophy or religion I want to read the entire text not just selections from it.