Product Description

Compiled in the 12th century AD by a prominent Egyptian scholar, this is the third volume in a full examination of the background, life and mission of the prophet Muhammad.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #711855 in Books
• Published on: 2000-03-31
• Original language: Arabic
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 560 pages

From the Publisher
Offers a fine example of Islamic scholarship
Compiled in the fourteenth century AD by a prominent Syrian scholar, al-Sira al-Nabawiyya by Ibn Kathir is a full examination, in chronological order, of the background, life and mission of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Drawn from the earliest and most reliable Arabic sources, it offers, in this English translation, the fullest available account of the historical circumstances and personalities most important in the founding of Islam. Ibn Kathir’s work offers a fine example of Islamic scholarship; the quotations and anecdotes that constitute its core are evaluated in terms of the trustworthiness of their sources. Variant wordings that are related through differing lines of transmission are noted, and Ibn Kathir gives both his own assessments and those of the earliest Islamic authorities concerning the likely authenticity of these records. The comments and conversations, derived from ancient texts, that are quoted in this work constitute the basis of our knowledge of Islam during the lifetime of its founder. Ibn Kathir was born in approximately 1313 in the Boesra district of eastern Damascus, and studied with the many great scholars working in the city during his time. He died in 1374. Volume III gives details of the numerous battles and campaigns waged between 3 AH and 8 AH to defend and spread the religion of Islam.

Customer Reviews

Delivers an excellent account of the Prophet's life PBUH.
This book is written in 1313 AD, to translate the context is a hard job, but in this case here is well done. the book goes to explain and outline few major events on the life of the Prophet
PBUH, SAAWS. I highly recomend this book to every man/woman.
A MUST read!!!

A valuable historical work
As a student of classical Arabic historians at university, I find this book to be quie interesting in its portrayal of the life of the Prophet of Islam. In line with many other historians, ibn Kathir mentions the narrations and their sources/chains of narrations. Whilst this may not be to the taste of a reader who wants to simply know about the Prophets life, it is incredibly vital to scholars, Muslim and non-Muslim, in grading the autheticity of the work. It is a remarkable account of the Prophets life without parallel in its historical authenticity and the sheer depth of the work, one I must say is a credit to classical Muslim scholarship.

Ibn Kathir himself is known and accepted by Western scholars to be an important source of Seerah. For the rest of us, it takes time to trundle through all the names he provides to get down to the actual life of the Prophet.

An invaluable work in my opinion, very useful and incredibly authored. For those who'd like to read the life of the Prophet in a less academic form, there are plenty of other books such as Martin Lings book on the Prophet and The Sealed Nectar. There is also 'The Noble Life of the Prophet' by Dr. Ali Muhammad As-Sallabee.

*addition
Just to add - not so sure about the alleged 'coy avoidance' accusation levelled against Ibn Kathir. His work, I think, is more honest than what this incorrect accusation insinuates. Maybe a second reading of the book and reading it correctly would change this and prevent a clearly historical mistake mentioned in one of the reviews above.