The Eye of the Beholder: The Life of Muhammad as Viewed by the Early Muslims. A Textual Analysis

The author examines the traditions about Muhammad and their relationship to the biblical prophetic paradigm, highlighting attestation, preparation, revelation, persecution, and salvation. They argue that early biographers shaped Muhammad's biography through biblically based and later Qur'anic modes of authentication, challenging the notion of more authentic earlier traditions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Gerlach Press

The author conducts a detailed examination of traditions about Muhammad that illustrate particular themes thought to be part of the biblical prophetic paradigm: attestation, preparation, the experience of revelation, persecution, and salvation, the latter meaning the hijra. The author analyzes the ways in which Muhammad's early biographers sought to shape the Prophet's biography through biblically based and later Qur'anic modes of authentication.

The author has abandoned the quest for the historical Muhammad due to the impossibility of separating the real Muhammad from legends about him. He challenges the notion that earlier traditions about Muhammad are more authentic than later ones, arguing that the moulding of accounts of Muhammad's life according to what were perceived as standard criteria of prophethood began at the outset, as Muslims sought to prove themselves worthy successors to the civilizations of the Jews and the Christians.

The author begins by examining the attestation of Muhammad's prophethood, which was based on the belief that he was the final prophet of God and that his teachings were consistent with the teachings of the previous prophets. The author notes that the early biographers of Muhammad used a variety of methods to authenticate his prophethood, including the use of miracles, the performance of miracles, and the recitation of prophecies.

The author then examines the preparation of Muhammad for his prophethood. The author notes that Muhammad was a young man who lived in a time of great turmoil and conflict. He was raised in a family of merchants and was exposed to the teachings of various religious traditions. The author argues that Muhammad's preparation for his prophethood was shaped by his experiences of persecution and salvation.

The author then examines the experience of revelation that Muhammad received. The author notes that Muhammad received his revelations through the angel Gabriel. The author argues that Muhammad's revelations were consistent with the teachings of the previous prophets and that they provided a new understanding of the nature of God and the world.

The author then examines the persecution of Muhammad and his followers. The author notes that Muhammad and his followers were persecuted by the people of Mecca and other cities. The author argues that the persecution of Muhammad and his followers was a form of divine punishment for their sins.

The author then examines the salvation of Muhammad and his followers. The author notes that Muhammad and his followers were saved by the grace of God. The author argues that the salvation of Muhammad and his followers was a form of divine mercy and that it provided a new hope for humanity.

In conclusion, the author argues that the traditions about Muhammad that illustrate particular themes thought to be part of the biblical prophetic paradigm are authentic and that they provide a valuable insight into the life of Muhammad and the teachings of Islam. The author challenges the notion that earlier traditions about Muhammad are more authentic than later ones and argues that the moulding of accounts of Muhammad's life according to what were perceived as standard criteria of prophethood began at the outset, as Muslims sought to prove themselves worthy successors to the civilizations of the Jews and the Christians.

Dimension: 248 x 165 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783959940986
Edition number: 2 New edition