but the company i ordered it from sent me a library book, I hope it was not taken..

I couldn't put this book down. This is easily the best work on the Nation of Islam to date. Clegg has done some impressive research and has a deep knowledge of Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. He presents the material in a well-written, intelligent way, without the biases that one would assume that such a topic would provoke. This is first-rate scholarship. I hope the author considers doing a similar biography of Malcolm X or Louis Farrakhan.

twas a work of art. clegg did a lot of research
i couldn't really tell if he had a pro
or con objective. this is how "un biased"
he came off. the book gives a lot of info
to someone who is thinking about making this sort
of decision(religion) in life. after you read
this book and do more research your mind will
be made up whether for or against.

kudos to clegg ,may god bless him!!!!!!!!!!!

Dreams cannot be interpreted by just anyone and this is something that cannot be learned but only God-gifted. Ibn Sirin was a great and a blessed scholar and I do not know of any other book better than this one.

Wow! I first saw this book at my sister's home 2 years ago. I have searched for it at many book stores, but only just found it here. In my studies of psychology, I have read many philosophies in the interpretation of dreams, but this one is the most comprehensive AND easy to read; also it is the most sound in its interpretations. Thanks for helping me find my dreams, Amazon!

every muslim household should have this book, i bought mine 5 years ago, and through me 3 of my friends have wanted it also, im sooo happy to be able to find it here on the net, so many people ask me where i got my copy from, and now they can all find it here...i highly reccommend it!1

This book has many of the Prophet Muhammad's saying in an easy-to-read style. The sayings are organized by subject matter which is helpful when trying to understand His point of view on particular issues. The true beauty of Islam is readily revealed in this book. Books such as this are very helpful in understanding the daily application of Islamic religious principles. The prophet's championship of women, compassion for the poor and the suffering, his loving and tolerant nature, and his innate passion for Truth come through loud and clear in this book of short and sweet sayings.

Mahatma Gandhi in his foreword to this volume calls these sayings "among the treasures of mankind", and this book was also much admired by Leo Tolstoy. The Introduction, revised and partially written by Sir Abdulla's brother, Hassan Suhrawardy, gives an overview of the Prophet's life, as well as the basic beliefs of Islam, and it's a fast and easy way to learn something of the religion and its history.

As noted in the Preface, the sayings are "classified and indexed in alphabetical and logical order under various headings, to facilitate reference and comparison".
The second largest category of sayings (the first is "Of the Duty of Believers", with 60 entries) is "Learning", and here is one of the 29 entries:

"Acquire knowledge. It enableth its possessor to distinguish right from wrong; it lighteth the way to Heaven; it is our friend in the desert, our society in solitude, our companion when friendless; it guideth us to happiness; it sustaineth us in misery; it is an ornament amongst friends, and an armour against enemies" (pg. 94).

As one who believes that "animal life stands on the same footing as human life in the sight of God" (footnote, pg.55), I also appreciate the sayings under the heading of "Animals". The Prophet spoke often of the rights of animals (he was especially fond of cats), and a footnote quotes one of my favorite verses from the Kur'an, Surah 6:38: "There is no beast on earth, nor bird which flieth with its wings, but the same is a people like unto you-and to the Lord shall they return".

This is a small but wonderful book, and one that could bring understanding, truth, and the light of the Prophet's wisdom to its readers.

I like it because i am muslim and i want to learn some more things.

The book, Muhammad, by Martin Lings is a lucid and awe inspiring insight into a culture, a people, their lifestyle, their growth and the development of the religion of Islam. This it does by tracing the life of one whose actions are so well intentioned, so meaningful, so thoughful. Their culture, their scribes, their oral traditions, their love for poetry, remind one of the more studied and familiar Shakespearian tradition, only this is non fiction. The book relates the trails and travails of the clans and tribal etiquette, from his grandfather's parents, their marriages, their journeys, their businesses, in a manner that their lives jump out at you.

Islam is the religion that he brought, those opposed to Islam should read this book so that that their opinions may be reworked to appreciate the reality of the man called Muhammad. saw. The Prophet May Allah be pleased with him, brought peace, negotiation, justice, a mandate for education, respect for women, love , brotherhood, and the deepest appreciation for our common humanity, all of which the book chronicles so well. His wars, were never senseless slaughter of women and children, he did not enforce his Islam, but allowed others to worship as they pleased. He was a strategic thinker, a planner and a slave of Allah. He loved people as his brothers, he was gentle with his wives, he leglislated with equity. He never professed greatness, he was such a simple man, unassuming, and he suffered like all of God's Prophets. However, he outshun them all. First because so much detail has been preserved as recorded by Lings, about his life, his family, their acceptance of Islam as a religion. Second, because when he died he was the most beloved by all the community, he was respected by world leaders of that day. Even his bitter enemies of the Qureysh had come to love and revere him and third, his Books, the Qur'an and the Hadith have been painstakingly preserved. May Allah bless him and his family and his companions, and their companions who sought nearness to God.
Thank You. Raziah Ahmed, Trinidad WI.

I read lots of books on Muhammad(PBUH) earlier. This book is very different from all those I read earlier. It describes the Life of Prophet Muhammad in a very simple and nice way. The incidents and the cases are taken from the earliest sources, which are true and proven. This is what makes the book an authenctic source of information to all those readers who are interested to know about Islam and its culture. I encourage people of every religion to read this book and know who and what was Muhammad's(PBUH) personality.

It would seem that Muhammad is gradually succumbing to the same fate as Jesus, in that each generation feels an urgent need to reinterpret him in light of their own understanding. Quite a few biographies of the prophet are already on the market, from such diverse writers as the military man John Glubb to the atheist Maxime Rodinson.

This one is different. As the title indicates, it is a life of Muhammad based on the earliest sources. The "sources" in question here are the sirat, or biographies of the prophet, which were written a couple of centuries after his death. These original biographies were compiled based on the traditions handed down regarding what the prophet did, much the same as the hadith are a transmission of what the prophet said. The contents of these biographies are canonical; their position in Islam is somewhat analogous to works of the fathers of the church in Christianity.

Which explains the air of piety about this book, which unfortunately may throw some readers off. What this book achieves, and achieves greatly in my opinion, is a reflection of how the Muslim world traditionally thinks of Muhammad. It does not attempt to break new ground or provide new interpretations of Muhammad's life and mission; rather it assists the Western reader in understanding the traditional interpretation of his life and mission. I would recommend this book highly to anyone interested in understanding Islamic belief and the position that Muhammad occupies in traditional Islamic values; I have come across no other book in English that conveys it as well as this one does.

Davis Miller shares the story of his life and the inspiration he has received through his serendipitous encounter(s) with Muhammad Ali. This is a poignant account of a boy's difficult childhood, and the inspiration he receives from his real-life hero, Muhammad Ali. This wonderful book is much less about boxing, and much more about family love. How wonderful it would be to sit in the living room of Muhammad's mother and feel the warmth of her radiating love. The author states that Muhammad Ali would have been a world-class figure even if he had never put on a pair of boxing gloves

In this book, Davis Miller describes the influence that Muhammad Ali has had in his life. The reader is shown how, as a teenage boy, Miller came to adore Ali, and how this love had a hugely positive impact upon the author's development as a man. Later, when he meets his hero and shares friendship with him, we see how Miller feels somehow directed in his development as a writer as a result of his relationship with the great boxer. This book is not about Ali, at one point in the book the writer even makes it clear that he is not really interested in the facts of Ali's life, rather it is about the power of Ali to inspire and uplift those people with whom he comes into contact. My only concern about this book is the degree of worship accorded to Ali by the writer. It is difficult for me to 'buy into' the elusive simplicity with which the author appears to view the world, but I chose to read the book anyway and I must say that I enjoyed it. I'd like to finish by saying! that I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the ability of those special, rare people to positively inspire others and make a difference in their lives.

Wonderful story. Tells of how Mr. Ali affected an 'underdogs' life & gave him strength to become a writer- even though he (the author) failed english as a subject in high school. This book is not just for sport/boxing lovers. My bookclub (all women) loved it.

Get the new edition which includes information by Ahmad Thompson (Yellow cover book).

A very interesting book that walks you through religious history and keeps the reader mesmerized at every step. It traces the life of Jesus, his followers, his message and at the end using history relates it back to verses in the Quran. It's amazing how well the puzzle fits! Anyone who wants to know more about Jesus should attempt to trace the historic Jesus and will find history is not what we are taught today. In fact it has systematically been surpressed. So many have been tortured giving up their lives to uphold what they believed was true. No one wants to mention these facts today.

I encourage you to read "The Bible The Quran and Science" by Maurice Bucaille before reading this book. It really helps put the history described here in much better perspective.

This is one of the best books I've read on the history of christianity and the evolution of biblical literature. It refers extensively to scholarly research and is fairly unbiased with regard to the history of early christianity, contrary to the suggestion one might get by the title of the book. It could have been better titled as the History of Unitarian Christianity had it not been for the last chapter which quotes references to Jesus from the Islamic Literature. The Book is a must read for all Christians and Muslims alike to uncover the mysterious shroud surrounding the Life of Christ and the history of Christianity.

I had first heard of the Council of Nicea, in which belief in the Trinity was made Church doctrine, from a (former) Rome-trained priest in Catholic school. This book goes into much more detail, and is an easy read. All history is fascinating, but the history of religion is especially important. After all, religion is supposed to be the guiding force in the life of the adherent. The author really did his homework, and anyone who wishes to deny that just has to get some of the books mentioned in the bibliography. A good book for anyone interested in Jesus, even if they skipped over references to him in the Qur'an.

This book is a very valuable work, and Dr. Siddiqui's review really puzzles me. Generally, to review a book, one should READ the book. Dr. Siddiqui's review indicates that either didnt read the book or perhaps flipped a few pages. For example: 1. Dr. Siddiqui claims that Madelung "uses such discredited sources like L. Caetani", however Madelung's whole book is a rebuttel to Caetani. He only cites Caetani to show how he was completely wrong! This is absolutely clear in the book: Madelung disagreed with Caetani's claims. Either Dr. Siddiqui didnt read the book, didnt understand it, or wrote something intentionally misleading. 2. Madelung mainly uses 'Sunni' sources, Tabari and Hadith, there are no stories or incidents that he uses that cannot be found in accepted Sunni texts. 3. The conclusions made by Madelung are not shia alone. He makes the point that many of the early sunni muslims did not agree w/much of what present sunnis bevlive. For example many sunnis did not consider Muawaiya a blessed companion. It can be said that all of Madelung's conclusions have been made by muslims (Sunni and Shia) before. 4. In no way does Madelung insult Islam, the Prophet Muhammad (S) or the other companions. He writes about Islam in a respectful manner, contrary to Dr. Siddiquis misleading review.
Dr. Siddiqui writes Madelung uses sources 'discredited for their bias, prejudice and partiality', however after reading his review, one is left with the feeling that Dr. Siddiuqi writes with as much bias, prejudice and partiality toward Madelung Caetani writes about Islam.
Great book, not perfect (but only the QURAN is anyways), but well worth a dispassionate read.

This book has been a flashpoint of controversy between Shi'i and Sunni Muslims since this has turned out to be a rare instance where a non-Muslim scholar [a status that ostensibly gives him an objective position wherewith the sectarian divided can be breached for the sake of historical truth] arrives at a conclusion somewhat in harmony with the Shi'i view of things. Unfortunately, the flurry of sectarian debate has overshadowed a work of great scholarly importance [exhibit a: the reviews written prior to this one] by an author who himself-as far as anyone can know for certain at least-had no intentions of propagating one tradition over the other.

The virulent Sunni opposition of the Sunni Muslims to this book relates mostly to the portrayal of Abu Bakr as a schemer, Umar as a bullying hothead, and Uthman as a rich fat-cat with a taste for nepotism while Ali is the rightful heir to the prophetic office. That is what the offended would get from the book. Actually, Madelung has a much more nuanced opinion of all the Caliphs which is the product of a mixture of deep admiration and criticism. Most frustrating to the Sunni Muslim, I would imagine, is how Madelung version of the events makes such ideas as ta'diil al-SaHabah wa-l-taba'iin, al-fitrah, etc. seem absurd and untenable [which many more progressive would admit are].

Most problematic within the work is the use of sources throughout. I don't mean this in the sense conveyed in the ramblings of one reviewer ["Dr. Siddiqui"] who seems to lack any coherent understanding of textual dynamics involved within Madelung's various texts. For example, just citing a text does not equal an endorsement thereof; rather, what is important is how the text is integrated into the larger structure of the argument and how controversial texts are placed within a hierarchy of certitude and historical criticism. Madelung here is about as meticulous as one could be. Moreover, he has to be for he write *against* the pro-Sunni grain of almost all of what has been written in the entire corpus of Western scholarship hitherto.

Madelung, in reality, is a rather conservative scholar. His approach is optimistic-meaning that he doesn't side with the skeptical branch of scholarship that rejects all the details and accepts reluctantly, often with extensive revision, the general outlines of the Muslim historical record. After all, ALL of the sources we have today on these events were written/compiled hundreds of years after the events they claim to record while simultaneously be the result of considerable political tumult.

Whatever side of these debates you fall, one has to admit that Madelung has written the most authoritative and interesting interpretation of the sources hitherto committed to writing. The case he makes from the Qur'an for Muhammad having intended Ali to follow him as the leader of the community is very crafty. His portraits of the intricacies of tribal conflicts and personal ambitions are masterful and stunningly lucid. Under his pen, these complex events regain a certain new-life. By the end of the book, Madelung makes one realize how astonishing it was that Muslim history actually took the direction it did, albeit while slaughtering many 'sacred cows' in the process...

Madelung starts off in the introduction with how a lot of things regarding the Shia-sunni conflict have been taken for granted, citing the major works in the area, such as Lammens and Caetani. He then gradually works his way from the time of the death of the Prophet till the martyrdom of Ali. No where in his book would you find him forcing his opinion on you. The sources and the references he gives are thorough, very well established and agreed by all. He usually tries to quote directly from the book he is refering to before he comments on the information, hence you are left free to disagree with any conclusion that Madelung may have drawn. A truly scholarly work. This book was definitely needed. I don't think any one should now hold opinions regarding the Shia sunni debate without going through this book first!

Reading this book together (or after) the book Origins and Early development of Shia Islam by H M Jafri, would help greatly in understanding the book, since Madelung does not discuss the life of the Prophet and hence the readers will miss out on a number of events which occured during the life of the Prophet which the Shia claim indicate his nomination of Ali as his successor. Most notable of these events being that of Ghadir Khumm.

...you see, I am so excited that Sidi Ibn Ajiba's life is in a book! Arent you? But, while reading it, I am not sure if the author -King of the Orientalists puts his own words into it. I will have to check but there are some accounts of the Messenger Peace be upon him that I have never heard before. Rather, the sayings striked me as VERY ODD.

I am refering to his teaching his murid's, Ibn Ajiba is the Master of the Shadhili tariq that still holds it's silsala. But...I am actually more intrigued about his Ijaza's that he recieved and they are documented in the book as well as discourses to his Murid's. It is a nice texts, if I could just shovel out some of the "hadith" accounts that I am not sure are correct. In any case, if you would like to know about the Auliya, and a Master of dicipline, love for the Divine, Sharia' and the history of his tariq, this book is as close as you are going to get. NOT "The Mystical Teachings of AlShadhili"!

A fascinating account of the life of a prolific, yet little known, Moroccan Sufi that casts special light on the socio-cultural and religious milieu of eighteenth-century northwest Africa. By tracing the events of his life between the extremes of the mundane and the spiritual, Ibn 'Ajiba paints a detailed and engaging picture of what a person eager for spiritual fulfillment had to learn, practice, and endure along the path of Sufism. In addition to the details of his genealogy, marriages, travels, contact, the geographical and tribal "maps" of his world (of interest to anthropologists and social historians), Ibn 'Ajiba provides some insightful commentaries on the Islamic exoteric and esoteric sciences and alludes to the canonical texts in circulation. His preoccupation with the intricacies of daily life foregrounds his reflections and experiences gracefully against the rich, and often disharmonious mosaic of the social, intellectual, pedagogical, and moral values of the time. Michon's rendering of the original text into French is masterful and elegant, and Streight's competent translation into English has the subtlety and transparency necessary to reveal Michon's erudite scholarship. The book will be of interest to scholars of Sufism and the socio-cultural history of Morocco and North Africa.

This is a beautiful book. The translation from the French/Arabic flows well. It is carefully edited and produced. I am delighted to have an autobiography by one of the great mystics of Islam, including even a touching chapter on his family life. The footnotes are scholarly; where there is a hadith used for teaching moral lessons, it is traditional to allow less than perfect isnads. I am waiting now for someone to translate Ibn 'Ajiba's commentary on Ibn 'Atallah. What a treasure North African Sufism is!

This is a fast reading book, the author knows what he is talking about - thank goodness If you are a boxing fan I truly recommend this.....

Although the edition I have is pretty old and the most recent interviews were taken in the 1970s this book is still a fantastic look at the lifes of many of the 20th centuries top boxers. Each boxers story is told in a single chapter and in their OWN words. Its brilliant reading about how these champions grew up, what led them to boxing and how they have survived. As well as the Jack Dempsey's, Jake LaMotta's many other 'lesser known' boxers are featured but their stories are just, if not more interesting. A great insight into 20th century american life from those whose lifes have often been the hardest.

Great reading!!!

This is a wonderful book. It is the type of book one savours as one might enjoy a good glass of wine or an extrordinary meal. As a history teacher I've used it in the classroom to explain historical periods and sports. You buy this one! You will not be disappointed.

I have read other books in the series and found them all to be very good, overviews of their subjects. Introducing Muhammad, also provides a very good overview of its subject-Muhammad and Islam. It offers the reader a good entry point to further study of Islam. Although I did find the author to be somewhat biased,it gave me a good insight into one of the world's largest religions and a new perspective on history. The illustrations really help to convey the authors points too.

I read this book twice, cover to cover within a week. It left me with the impression that, until now, what I know about Muhammad and his religion is shallow and unbalanced. The author has given me a fairer and deeper understanding of Islam. Thank you very much Mr. Sardar for enlightening me.

Excellent introduction to Muhammad. Comprehensive, informative, interesting, enjoyable. Get one if you want to know more about the man and his faith (Islam). I would recommend it as a first read to anybody who wants to know the Muslims' way of life.