The life of Muḥammad

This biography of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is the first written by a contemporary Muslim scholar. It includes complete coverage of the Prophet's life, a detailed analysis of pre-Islamic Arabia, the situational context of revelation and a comparative study of the basics of Islamic and western civilizations. The author, Muhammad Husayn Haykal, is well known to the Arabic readers. His other works include The Life of Abu Bakr, The Life of Umar al-Faruq and The Home of Revelation. The translator, Ismail Raji al-Faruqi, was an authority on Islam and comparative religion. Translator's Preface......Page 1 Translator's Acknowledgments......Page 2 Foreword to the English Edition......Page 3 Foreword to the First Edition......Page 6 Preface to the First Edition......Page 11 CHRISTIAN FANATICS AND MUHAMMAD......Page 12 The First Principles of the Two Religions......Page 13 The Difference between Them......Page 14 Debate of the Christians with the Prophet......Page 16 Byzantines and Muslims......Page 17 Christian Scholars and Muhammad......Page 18 The Cause of Hostility between Islam and Christianity......Page 19 Christianity Does Not Accord with the Nature of Western Man......Page 20 Islam and the Present State of the Islamic Peoples......Page 21 Western Science and Literature......Page 22 Western Missionaries and Muslim Conservatives......Page 23 The Qur'an as the Most Reliable Source......Page 24 Candid Advice......Page 25 This Book as Mere Beginning of Research......Page 26 Universal Benefits of the Study......Page 27 An Observation......Page 29 Answering the Followers of Western Orientalists......Page 30 Dependence upon the Muslim Biographers......Page 31 The False Charge of Forgery......Page 32 Muir Rejects the Forgery of the Qur'an......Page 33 The Slanderers of Islam......Page 37 The Slander of Epilepsy......Page 38 Return to Science......Page 39 Slander against Muhammad Is Argumentum ad Hominem......Page 40 Observations of Muslim Islamicists......Page 41 Biographies and Hadith Books......Page 43 The Age of These Books......Page 44 The Standard of Hadith Criticism......Page 45 The Qur'an and Miracles......Page 48 The Greatest Miracle......Page 49 The Goddesses and Tabuk......Page 50 My Methodology......Page 51 The Works of Orientalists......Page 52 The Muslims and Research......Page 53 Preface to the Third Edition......Page 56 The Mediterranean and Red Sea Basins......Page 57 Byzantium, the Heir of Rome......Page 58 Christian Sects......Page 59 The Geographic Position of the Peninsula......Page 60 The Two Caravan Routes......Page 61 Judaism and Christianity in Yaman......Page 62 Cyrus's Rule of Persia......Page 64 The Social Order of the Peninsula......Page 65 Arab Paganism and Its Causes......Page 66 Christianity and Judaism......Page 67 Idol Worship......Page 68 Makkah's Place in Arabia......Page 69 Ibrahim-May God's Peace be upon Him......Page 70 Ibrahim and Sarah in Egypt......Page 71 The Historians' Version......Page 72 Ibrahim, Isma'il, and Hagar's Trip to the Valley of Makkah......Page 73 Discussion of the Story......Page 74 Religious Development in Arabia......Page 75 The Arab Prophets......Page 76 Ascendancy of Quraysh......Page 77 Construction of Permanent Residences in Makkah......Page 78 Hashim (646 C.E.)......Page 79 Al Muttalib......Page 80 The Redigging of Zamzam......Page 81 The Vow and Its Fulfillment......Page 82 Abrahah and the Ka'bah......Page 83 Makkan Luxury......Page 84 The Residences of Makkah......Page 85 `Abdullah ibn `Abd al Muttalib......Page 86 The Marriage of `Abdullah and Aminah......Page 87 Muhammad's Nurses......Page 88 The Story of Splitting Muhammad's Chest......Page 89 Orphanhood......Page 91 Under Abu Talib's Protection......Page 92 The First Trip to al Sham......Page 93 The Fijar War......Page 94 The Alliance of Fudul......Page 95 Muhammad as Herdsman......Page 96 Khadijah......Page 97 Muhammad in the Employ of Khadijah......Page 98 Muhammad's Qualities......Page 100 Wrecking and Rebuilding the Ka'bah......Page 101 Dissolution of Idol Worship......Page 102 Muhammad's Sons......Page 103 The Arabs' Annual Retreat......Page 104 The True Vision......Page 105 The Beginning of Revelation (610 C.E.)......Page 106 Khadijah, the Faithful......Page 107 The Conversation of Waraqah and Khadijah......Page 109 Waraqah and Muhammad......Page 110 The Call to Truth Alone......Page 111 Salat [Islamic Worship]......Page 112 The Conversion of Abu Bakr......Page 113 Muhammad's Nearest Relatives......Page 114 Islam and Freedom......Page 115 Muhammad's Attack against the Idols......Page 116 The Logic of History......Page 117 Persecution of the Muslims by Quraysh......Page 118 Muslim Patience......Page 119 The Call of Muhammad and Modern Scientific Inquiry......Page 120 The Essence of Muhammad's call......Page 121 Delegation of `Utbah ibn Rabi ah......Page 122 Quraysh's Delegation to the Negus......Page 123 The Muslims' Answer to the Ambassadors' Claims......Page 124 The Muslims and Abyssinian Christianity......Page 125 The Spirit in Islam......Page 126 The Conversion of `Umar ibn al Khattab......Page 127 The Emigrants Return from Abyssinia......Page 129 Incoherence of the Story......Page 130 Two Revolutions in Abyssinia......Page 131 Inverted Evidence of the Qur'anic Text......Page 132 The Story's Violence to the Contextual Flow of Surah "al Najm"......Page 133 The Story Contradicts the Fact of Muhammad's Candidness......Page 134 Attack upon Tawhid......Page 135 The Arm of Propaganda......Page 136 The Charge of Magical Eloquence......Page 137 Al Tufayl ibn `Amr al Dawsa......Page 138 Abu Sufyan, Abu Jahl, and al Akhnas......Page 139 "He Frowned and Turned Away"......Page 140 The Will to Perfection......Page 141 Jealousy and Competition......Page 142 Fear of Resurrection and the Day of Judgment......Page 143 The Struggle of Good and Evil......Page 145 For the Sake of Salvation......Page 146 Blockade of the Muslims......Page 147 Infallibility of Muhammad in Conveying the Revelation......Page 148 Death of Abu Talib and Khadijah......Page 149 Muhammad's Excursion to Ta'if (628 C.E.)......Page 150 Muhammad Offers Himself to the Tribes......Page 151 Al Isra' (621 C.E)......Page 152 Al Isra' as Given in Literature......Page 153 Ibn Hisham's Report about al Isra'......Page 155 Al Isra' and the Unity of Being......Page 156 Doubt of Quraysh and Apostasy of Some Muslims......Page 157 Al Isra' in Body......Page 158 Muhammad's Fastness......Page 159 Al Aws, al Khazraj, and the Jews......Page 160 Iyas ibn Mu'adh......Page 161 Islamic Beginnings in Yathrib......Page 162 Muhammad Thinks of Emigration......Page 163 The Second Covenant of `Aqabah......Page 164 Discussion before Conclusion of the Covenant......Page 165 Tension between the Two Parties......Page 166 The Muslims' Emigration to Yathrib......Page 167 The Quraysh and the Prophet's Emigration......Page 168 'Ali in the Prophet's Bed......Page 170 Some Biographers Omit the Story......Page 171 The Trip to Yathrib......Page 172 The Story of Suraqah......Page 173 The Spread of Islam in Yathrib......Page 174 Muhammad's Entry into Madinah......Page 175 Explanation of the City's Welcome......Page 176 Buildings of the Prophet's Mosque......Page 177 Muhammad's Aversion to War......Page 178 Muslim Brotherhood......Page 179 The Harvest......Page 180 Muhammad's Friendliness to the Jews......Page 181 New Horizons in Political Life......Page 183 Adhan or the Call to Prayer......Page 184 Muslim Brotherhood......Page 185 The Brotherhood of Justice and Mercy......Page 186 Muhammad's Power to Surmount Life......Page 187 Beginning of Jewish Fears......Page 188 The War of Words between Muhammad and the Jews......Page 189 The Story of Finhas......Page 190 Orientation to the Ka'bah in Prayer......Page 191 The Christian Delegation from Najran......Page 192 Withdrawal of the Christian Delegation......Page 193 Rethinking the Problem of Quraysh and Makkah......Page 194 Raids Led by the Prophet......Page 196 Our View of These Raids......Page 197 Exposure of Quraysh's Trade to Danger......Page 198 Nature of the Madinese......Page 199 Jewish Plots......Page 200 `Abdullah ibn Jahsh's Expedition......Page 201 Sedition Greater Than Murder......Page 202 The Qur'an and Fighting......Page 203 War in the Cause of God......Page 204 The Saints in Islam and Christianity......Page 205 Islam, the Natural Religion......Page 206 The Muslims Mobilize for Badr......Page 207 Old Enmity of Quraysh and Kinanah......Page 208 The Path of the Muslim Army......Page 209 Escape of the Caravan and Abu Sufyan......Page 210 The Muslims Camp at Badr......Page 211 The True Faith of the Muslims......Page 212 Muhammad's Prayer and Invocation......Page 213 Muslim Morale......Page 214 Bilal Kills Umayyah ibn Khalaf......Page 215 The Muslims Spare the Just......Page 216 Muslim Differences Concerning Booty......Page 218 Execution of Two Captives......Page 219 The Captives of Badr......Page 220 Abu Bakr and Umar’s Views Regarding the Captives......Page 221 Revolution against Idolatry......Page 222 Warning to Makkah......Page 223 Quraysh Mourns Her Dead......Page 224 Murder of Ka’b ibn al Ashraf......Page 226 Jewish Fears and Aggression......Page 227 Political Unity in Madinah......Page 228 Threat to the Shore Route of al Sham......Page 229 The Tribes' Fear of the Muslims......Page 230 The `Iraq Route to al Sham......Page 231 Muhammad's Marriage to Hafsah......Page 232 Quraysh's Preparations for Revenge......Page 233 Al `Abbas's Message to the Prophet......Page 234 Varying Opinions on Madinah's Defense......Page 235 Discipline and Mutual Consultation......Page 236 Quraysh Women......Page 237 The Martyrdom of Hamzah......Page 238 The Muslims' Preoccupation with Booty......Page 240 The Prophet's Injury......Page 241 The Prophet's Escape......Page 242 Need for Recapturing the Lost Prestige......Page 243 Resumption of Fighting on the Morrow......Page 244 The Campaign of Abu Salamah ibn `Abd al Asad......Page 246 The Battle of al Raji` (625 C.E)......Page 247 The Jews and Munafiqun of Madinah......Page 249 Instigation to Defy the Prophet......Page 250 Blockade of Banu al Nadir......Page 251 The Prophet's Secretary......Page 252 The Would-be Encounter at Badr......Page 253 Campaign of Dawmat al Jandal......Page 255 The Zaynab Affair and the Orientalists......Page 256 Great Men and the Law......Page 257 As Husband of Khadijah......Page 258 Muhammad's Marriage to Sawdah......Page 259 Historical Analysis and Its Results......Page 260 The Story of Zaynab, Daughter of Jahsh......Page 262 Adoption in Islam......Page 263 Return to the Orientalists' Views......Page 264 Jewish Enmity......Page 266 The Jews' Rallying of the Arab Tribes......Page 267 The Muslims' Panic......Page 268 Jewish Fear of Makkan Withdrawal......Page 269 Morale of the Makkans and Their Allies......Page 270 Dividing the Enemies against Themselves......Page 272 The Campaign against Banu Qurayzah......Page 274 Arbitration of Sa'd ibn Mu'adh......Page 275 Huyayy's Responsibility for the Tragedy......Page 276 The Spoils of War......Page 277 Relations between Men and Women......Page 278 Arab Eroticism......Page 279 Muhammad and Social Reconstruction......Page 280 Islam Forbids Fornication......Page 281 Social Foundations of Muslim Brotherhood......Page 283 The Campaign of Dhu Qarad......Page 284 The Plot of `Abdullah ibn Ubayy......Page 285 Ibn Ubayy's Resentment of the Prophet......Page 286 `A'ishah at the Campaign of Banu al Mustaliq......Page 288 Muhammad's Marriage to Juwayriyyah......Page 289 The Gossip and `A'ishah......Page 290 The Revolt of `A’ishah......Page 291 Revelation of `A'ishah's Innocence......Page 292 Proscription of the Sanctuary to Muslim Entry......Page 294 The Arabs and the Ka'bah......Page 295 Muhammad's Proclamation Concerning Pilgrimage......Page 296 Encounter......Page 297 Quraysh's Delegates to the Muslims......Page 298 The Delegation of `Urwah ibn Mas'ud al Thaqafi......Page 299 Muhammad's Delegation to Quraysh......Page 300 The Covenant of al Ridwan......Page 301 Negotiations......Page 302 Promulgation of the Treaty......Page 303 The Treaty of Hudaybiyah: A Genuine Victor......Page 304 The Story of Abu Basir......Page 305 Muslim Women Emigrants......Page 306 The Proscription of Alcohol......Page 308 The Prophet's Delegates......Page 310 Persia and Byzantium......Page 311 Elimination of Jewish Influence in Arabia......Page 312 The Two Armies......Page 313 The Muslims' Blockade......Page 314 Jewish Despair and Collapse......Page 315 Muhammad's Marriage to Safiyyah......Page 316 Delegation to Heraclius......Page 317 Delegation to Chosroes......Page 318 Explanation to the Kings' Replies......Page 319 Muslim Return from Abyssinia......Page 320 The Quraysh Evacuate the City......Page 322 The Muslims' Sojourn in Makkah......Page 323 Muhammad's Marriage to Maymunah......Page 324 Conversion of Khalid ibn al Walid and Others......Page 325 Causes of the Campaign......Page 327 Skirmishes before the Campaign......Page 326 Fall of the Martyrs......Page 328 Ibn al Walid's Strategy......Page 329 Muslim Disappointment and Muhammad's Assurance......Page 330 The Campaign of Dhat al Salasil......Page 331 Spread of Islam in the North......Page 332 Quraysh's Fears......Page 333 Muslim Preparations for War......Page 334 The Muslims' March on Makkah......Page 335 Abu Sufyan's Audience with the Prophet......Page 337 The March on Makkah Continued......Page 338 Deployment of the Muslim Forces......Page 339 The Muslims Enter Makkah......Page 340 Cleansing the Ka'bah of Its Images......Page 341 Al Ansar's Fears and the Prophet's Reassurance......Page 342 Reconsecration of Makkah: The City as Inviolate......Page 343 Ibn al Walid and the Tribe of Jadhimah......Page 344 Malik ibn `Awf's March against the Muslims......Page 346 Muhammad's Resoluteness and Bravery......Page 347 Muslim Counterattack and Victory......Page 348 The Muslims' Pursuit of Their Enemies......Page 349 The Price of Victory......Page 350 Bombardment of al Ta'if by Catapult......Page 351 Destruction of al Ta'if's Orchards......Page 352 Hawazin Captives liberated and Returned to Their Tribe......Page 353 Al Ansar and the Reconciliatory Gratuities......Page 354 Conversion of Ka'b ibn Zuhayr......Page 356 Muhammad's Bereavement......Page 357 Jealousy of the Prophet's Wives......Page 358 The Wives Plotting......Page 360 Their Rebellion......Page 361 `Umar's Reconciliation of the Prophet and His Wives......Page 362 The Judgment of Critical Historiography......Page 363 Refutation of the Orientalists' Claim......Page 364 Institution of Zakat and Kharaj......Page 366 The Muslim's Response to Muhammad's Call to Arms......Page 367 Al Munafiqun......Page 368 The Muslims' March......Page 369 Ibn al Walid's Campaign against Dumah......Page 370 The Recalcitrants......Page 371 The Prophet's Last Campaign......Page 372 Illness and Death of Ibrahim......Page 373 Conversion of `Urwah ibn Mas'ud and His Murder......Page 375 Thaqifs Delegation to the Prophet......Page 376 Destruction of the Idol al Lat......Page 377 Abu Bakr Leads the Pilgrimage......Page 378 The Moral Foundations of the Islamic State......Page 382 The West's War against Nudism......Page 383 Social Aspect of Associationism......Page 384 `Amir ibn al Tufayl......Page 385 The Other Deputations......Page 387 Islam's Distinction between Paganism and the Religions of the Book......Page 388 More Deputations to the Prophet......Page 391 Conversion of Arab Christians to Islam......Page 392 The Muslims March for Pilgrimage......Page 393 `Ali's Return from Yaman......Page 394 The Prophet's Last Sermon......Page 395 The Prophetic Pretenders......Page 398 The Prophet's Concern for the Northern Front......Page 399 The Prophet's Illness......Page 400 The Prophet's Visit to the Cemetery......Page 401 Muhammad's Congenial Mood......Page 402 Sortie to the Mosque......Page 403 The Prophet's Whisper to Fatimah......Page 404 The Prophet's Wish to Write a Testament......Page 405 "Rather, God on High and Paradise"......Page 407 `Umar Belies the News......Page 409 Muhammad Is Truly Dead......Page 410 At Banu Sa'idah's Court......Page 411 Inaugural Speech of the First "Rashidun" Caliph......Page 413 Preparing the Body for Burial......Page 414 A Grave Moment of History......Page 415 `A'ishah and the Grave Room......Page 416 Muhammad's Great Spiritual Legacy......Page 417 The Economic System as Foundation of Western Civilization......Page 419 Incapacity of Western Civilization to Bring Happiness to Man......Page 420 The Groundwork of Islamic Civilization......Page 421 Untitled......Page 422 Iman in God......Page 424 Iman, the Basis of Islam......Page 425 Divine Assistance to Discover the Pattern of the Universe......Page 426 Nature of Islamic Prayer......Page 427 Equality before God......Page 428 Nature of Islamic Fasting......Page 429 Fasting Is Not Self-Privation......Page 430 Nature of Islamic Zakat......Page 431 Islam and the Manners of Giving......Page 432 The Will To Wealth......Page 433 Nature of Islamic Pilgrimage......Page 434 The Qur'anic Notion of the Perfect Man......Page 435 The Qur'an on Self-Discipline......Page 437 Morality and Utilitarianism......Page 438 The Qur'an and Science......Page 439 The Evils of the Interest System......Page 440 Interest and Colonialism......Page 441 No Abolition of Private Property......Page 442 Socialism Is Brotherhood......Page 443 Refutation......Page 444 The Example of Muhammad......Page 445 Islamic Civilization and the Future......Page 446 Irving and Islamic Determinism......Page 447 The Qur'an and Determinism......Page 448 Scientific Determinism......Page 449 The Absolute Need for Deliberate Self-Change......Page 450 Our Personal Ethical Ideals......Page 453 Death, Conclusion, and Beginning of Life......Page 454 Prophets Are Always Folkmen......Page 456 The Philosophic Value of Islamic Determinism......Page 457 Ethical Nature of Human Deeds......Page 459 Man's Spiritual Development......Page 460 The Judgment of Reason and Belief in Miracles......Page 462 Material Wealth and Children......Page 464 Shaykh Muhammad `Abduh's Views......Page 465 Muslim Views in the Age of Decline......Page 467 "They That Take the Sword . . ."......Page 468 Islam Has Never Taken Anything by the Sword......Page 469 The Muslim League of Nations......Page 470 The Spirit of World Peace Still Missing......Page 471 World Peace Founded Only on Tolerance......Page 472 The Sublime Life of Muhammad......Page 473 Supplementary Readings in the English Language on the Life of the Prophet......Page 476 "In [title] Haykal achieves two objectives admirably: first, a biography which reveals the career of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the full light of historic reality; second, bringing out the essence of Islam, as exemplified in the life of the greatest Muslim. It includes complete coverage of the Prophet's life, a detailed analysis of pre-Islamic Arabia, the situational context of revelation, and a comparative study of the basics of Islamic and western civilizations. It is based upon a scholarly examination of all the extant Sirah and Hadith literature (the Prophet's life, his sayings and narrations of his teachings by his contemporaries) with the eye of an objective, scientific and critical scholar who is well-versed in modern historical critical methodology. [Title] is an essential book for all English-speaking Muslims as well as non-Muslims. This English version has been approved by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Cairo."--Publisher's website