Muhammad: His life based on earliest sources

Written By Omma Ahmed
Screenshot 2021-04-27 at 13.55.27.png

Muhammad: His life based on earliest sources by Martin Lings
Reviewed by Omma
📕📗📘📙📒


So this is the first biography I have read on the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and I think as it was written by an English award-winning scholar, it lends to the authenticity of it as it isn't marred by personal emotions and is very well sourced and cited. It's a tricky read in the sense that there are a lot of names, tribes and following the lineage can be a challenge but that aside it's truly a beautiful book. Martin writes in a very thorough manner which doesn't take away from the majesty that surrounds the Prophet loved by many and respected even by Non-Muslims. This is definitely a book I aim to read yearly because there is a lot to take in and it's uplifting and I found myself smiling when I'd read something I hadn't heard of before. Even found myself relying small bits of info to my mum which was especially nice. This isn't a complete succinct story about his life so I'll be sure to read others but it's a great start if you want to know more about a simple man who forged the way for a beautiful religion. Muslim or not, this is definitely a must read!

Omma Ahmed

I’ve always loved reading as a kid because it was one of the few Asian-mum approved hobbies although she would have preferred ‘less novels and more school books’! I also grew up in the Harry Potter era so that’s when I really remember falling in love with reading. (Big up my Y7 English teacher for reading a few pages of Philosophers stone at the end of every lesson! You were a real one Mr Williams!) I love being part of this book page (even though I slack massively due to lack of energy and concentration!) because sometimes it felt like a lifeline to help keep me sane. We started it during the time I was feeling really shitty about my Crohn’s disease. It’s been a tough 7 years and the last 3 have probably been the hardest especially mentally so when Linda suggested putting this page together, without hesitation I was down and I’m so proud of us! Writing reviews helped me to organise my thoughts and even resulted in me creating a second Instagram page (@AnOstomateForLife) about my Crohn’s journey. Yes that was a shameless plug and I’m not sorry! Along with reviews, I’ve also loved the creative side of things such as having input in our logo, creating our bookmark and taking book pictures even though it’s awkward af in public! So a few of my fave books: The Godfather by Mario Puzo (made me love the film even more! I’m a self-proclaimed movie buff too btw), Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Healy, The Harry Potter series (obviously), Jemima J by Jane Green, Moonlight over Manhattan by Sarah Morgan, Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple and We Should All Be Feminists Chimamanda Adichie.

Previous

American Psycho
Next

The Fishermen