Excellent reading on history and for. Action of islam
927782
An excellent and deep research.  A must read.
The church and state like relationship in Islamic history is interesting reaf
3404294
Spencer writes a great book, and I enjoyed reading this one.  The detail was great and accurate and helps to explain why we must be alert to the forces of evil embedded in the koran and the hadith, etc.,.
This book helps to explain why in the west we should be so alert to the evil driving forces of Islam.  He explained many of the terrors that a modern man should not have to endure.  More than a few must listen to reality or the big mess existing now in the EU, could also lead to civil war in US cities where the muslims have staked out their invading claim on European lands.  Mohammad made a big deal out of pushing his followers to invade neighboring lands to take booty and sex slaves, which drove their murderous armies forward and paid for the slaughter of Christians and Jews alike.  History shows all this and the author did a great job of explaining why he was being targeted for his voice against the evils of Islam.  Many others have been killed for speaking out and many more must die, I am afraid, before the EU wakes up to their very great folly.
Mohammad's belief in slaughter of anyone who stands in his way was duplicated in Germany in the 1930s and 1940s _ Hitler having travelled to Jerusalem to be trained in terror tactics, by the IMAMs there - which allowed him to rise to power by fear and terror in Germany...
We need to forget that Islam is a religion by force and focus in its crimes, having slaughtered 270,000,000 people in their 1400 year history.
Its past time to stop Islam in its evil tracks and outlaw the spread of its slim and ban it in the west, etc...A true religion builds up its followers and does not make them slaves to a crazed ideology, as Islam does systematically.
4858698
THE HEIRS Of MUHAMMAD by British journalist and travelogue author Barnaby Rogerson is both a thoroughly researched and quite enjoyable recounting of nascent Islam's first century and the origins of its split into Sunni and Shi'a factions.

Rogerson has gone to great lengths with this book to show that Islam, like all mass movements, was troubled by factionalism and in-fighting even before the death of the Muhammad. In Part 1 he details the rivalries amongst the Prophet's wives (called here by their respectful title, "the Mothers of the Faithful"), the roots of Aisha's lifelong hatred for Ali, and the rise in importance of such former adversaries of the Islamic faith as the Umayyad clan of the Quraysh and various other families, clans and tribes, who were now jockeying for leadership in the growing Muslim state.

Part 2 opens with the death of Muhammad and the institution of the politico-religious office of leadership known as the Caliphate. Abu Bakr is chosen over Ali as Muhammad's successor - and thus the origin of the Sunni/Shi'a split. Rogerson also recounts another event little known to most non-Muslims: the Ridda Wars. Also called the War Against Apostasy, these were a series of battles fought to bring rebellious Bedouin and settled Arab tribes back under Islamic rule. It is here that the author shows the complex political and religious makeup which existed in the Arabian peninsula: Arab clients of the Roman emperor in Constantinople, Arabian tribes under Persian cultural and political influence, or tribes and clans who desired not only to revert back towards indigenous pagan cults but also to the Christianity that they had only recently adopted before adopting Islam itself.

Most noteworthy also is Rogerson's history of the wars which would ultimately lead to the Arab conquest of the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

The Arab victories over the Roman Empire and its eventual conquest of Sassanid Persia -at the battles of the Yarmuk (636) and al-Qadisiya (637) respectively- altered forever the racial, religious, and political developments of not only the Middle East, but of Christendom (and thus Western civilization) as well. Suprisingly, however, very little has been written on these two supremely major events for the average reader of history. So, for his detailed account of these battles alone, Rogerson's HEIRS Of MUHAMMAD, is an exceptional and worthwile read.

With the long-awaited election of Ali as caliph, Rogerson illustrates the new religion's rising tensions in philosophies and practices. Would Islam -born out of strife- remain a religion of conquest? Or would it nuture and encourage its more spiritual and universal aspects, best exemplified in the personalities of Ali and his sons Hasan and Hussein.
The political rise of the Machiavellian Mauwiya upon the death of Ali and his Umayyad Dynasty's subsequent persecution and many attempts at the annihilation of the Prophet's very bloodline should help to answer these questions.

Barnaby Rogerson offers an excellent and fair-minded history of Muhammad's later years and the early Caliphate. Writing it filled with all the drama and intrigue, war and conflict of an epic. For this was a time filled with the people and events which utterly define the word of epic.
4306398
This is an excellent book with a wealth of information on one of Islam's greatest scholars.  I don't know of a better biography on Imam Al-Nawawi in the English language.
923914
One of the earliest studies of Islam in West Africa, its development and influence on all aspects of social life in this corner of the continent.

Trimmingham does a good job of placing Islam both in its historical context in African history and also in compiling historical documents from Arabic sources relating to ancient West African kingdoms and their conversion.  Trimmingham was also reasonably knowledgable in Sufism and so when writing on the development of Islam in Africa was able to study it from the correct historical point of view.

Well worth finding if you can.
4073326
Great read!

He states on page two that he is a Muslim and gives his biography.

There is no religious bias at all in the book; it is a work of history with 100s of endnotes and 1000s of sources.
4809420
Very enjoyable, enlightening read.  Goes to show that the people representing us today have not learned from history and that the Muslims and Islam in general will screw us over at every opportunity.  They have been doing it for over 300 years and the recent deal with Iran proves that they are still doing it today.
4908913
Must read for anyone who wants to speak intelligently about Islam.
4355761
I read this a couple of months ago.
Very clear, concise and accurate rendering of what jihad is all about.
Good review of history, how islam was founded, and its progression to present day.
I had a good knowledge of the beginnings of islam and found this a good review.
I encourage everyone to read this book.
1936629
This is a very very beautiful book written by a German Muslim (an ex-ambassador and  Director of  NATO Information Directorate)  who has a very beautifully balanced sunni/salafi (meaning Ashari) understanding. This is a must read for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

As the name of the chapters show the book tries to cover all the "main issues" about Islam ; Islam and the West; The Complete Faith; The Islamic View of Christianity; Belief and Knowledge;Mysticism; Fatalism; Fundamentalism; Tolerance of Violence; Republic orMonarchy; Integrism: The Islamic State; Islamic Market Economy, Islam and the Environment; Art and the Prohibition of Images; Islamic Jurisprudence; Human Rights; Women in Society; The Veiled Orient,Criminal Law; "Holy War"; International Law; When Denigration becomes Tradition.

The Presentation chapter was written by Annemarie Schimmel- a lady who has always amazed me with her capability of clear and deep vision  about a different civilizition in an age of information (even scholarship)  chaos. Her mentioning a Turkish mother who received the news of  her last and tenth child's death and was trying to calm her still crying friends tells what I mean about her ability to SEE. Mr Hofmann also has such an ability to SEE with only a different tone. And the book is full of these little enlightenments, "aha" feelings ( for me after having been reading on Islam for 18 years as well).

His ability and knowledge at approaching to tawhid/triniti issue is impressive. His gentleness and understanding to Islamic fields he does not agree (Shia and partially sufism) gives one feeling of great beauty.

He does not write with the manner of apologizing (as critics of Orientalists made some Muslim authors) but with the manner of discovering this super thing which is a bit hard to see due to its modesty.

The chapter of "When Denigration becomes Tradition" both hurts and gives great hopes to a Muslim and anyone who wants a better world. Mentioning Norman Daniel's "Islam and  the West: The Making of an Image" and Ekkehart Rotter's "Abendland und Sarazenen. Das Okzidentale Araber bild und seine Entstehung im Frhmittelater" he says we know now that the Christian propaganda even at Middle Ages  was very consciously designed so that people do not receive healthy knowledge on Islam. That very pious Christians (Peter the Venerable in this case) deformed translations of Quran  about the very core code of Islam (There are no gods other then God (Allah) and Muhammed is his messanger) as  "There is no god other then Muhammed" freezes my blood even months after reading this book. Muslims I tell this also freeze  unable to understand this kind of hatred.

These are the reasons I believe it is a must for responsible people to read this book and although I have not read them yet I believe we must all read Daniel's and Rotter's books too.

Muslims also must open their hearts to gentle criticisms of this beautiful German Muslim and his suggestions on what we can do for a better world. I believe it is an Islamic virtue to accept that Islam is perfect but we individual Moslems or Moslem groups are not.
3141876
Well written with excellent sources. The final chapter is exceedingly well-written to call attention to all the other 'religions' of the planet being challenged and scrutinized. Islam is not allowed to be scrutinized, and now I know why. This was an alarmingly enlightening book.
3904868
Excellent book put upon from the Islam World. This book has second volume and I'd like to read its continuation.
I've read many times but still worth reading!
This book has a continuation, and those who are interested in this book especially muslims should read the continuation.
There are many stories not written in this book, e.g. "Human is stranger in this world", "Being seriousness-- ihusan" etc.
I'm still waiting its continuation.
2763653
Excellent Book Excellent facts. If only Jihadist Islam could be reformed. Not the case due to Muhammad teachings . Muhammad made sure his followers could not reform Islam. Sad that he made it so his followers could not leave Islam w/o a death sentence.
430104
The Story of Mohammed, Islam unveiled, by Harry Richardson, gives us, especially us non-Muslims, a good understanding and clear insight into the Islamic religion, and more importantly their unique political ideologies, which are a major part of their religious teachings. This insight is critically important for all of us to understand, as the inevitable growth of Islam (their demographic growth statistics worldwide are staggering)  will undoubtedly impact humanity, our future and our freedoms.
It is a must read, especially for all politicians, the media, civil, religious, academic, and political leaders worldwide, and those who know little or nothing about Mohammed, Islam and Sharia, especially their unique values, beliefs, and goals. And, I would guess that most of us are ignorant to these facts and details.
Anyone that values their freedom, human rights and especially women's rights, free thinking and the other benefits and values of democracy should and must read this book. It is an incredible and fascinating story and a very easy read that you will never regret.
Bill S.
4234298
This is a must read for anyone rethinking their beliefs about Islam and what they've been sold through the regressive left and the media who continue to live in denial about the actual CAUSE of Jihad and terrorism.  By looking at the holy texts of the Quran and Hadith and Muhammad's life, it becomes abundantly clear, and Ibn Warraq shows, that doctrines and beliefs are the prime mover and motivator of terrorists.  If the doctrines and Imams and Islamic scholars say a Muslim will go to HEAVEN and be rewarded with WOMEN if they commit Jihad, then more Muslims are VERY motivated to commit acts of violence.  If the doctrines say it is GOD'S LAW (sharia) that women be treated inferior to men, well then you have states like Saudi Arabia who treat women like property.  This book goes into excellent detail and puts to rest the sad excuses advanced by those who are too scared to read the Quran, Hadith, and Muhammad's biography to see what really motivates Jihad and Sharia.  Read this book, and the Quran, and wake up.
2237835
While not covering as long a span of history as I had hoped, this excellent book by Tom Holland does well in describing the relations of the major monotheistic religions and cultures at the time of Islam's birth and rise. While as the subtitle implies, it does focus on the Arabs, it does not neglect the other major cultures in the area at the time, notably the Persians (of whom Holland wrote in his book "Persian Fire") and the "Romans" (as the Byzantines called themselves, despite the loss of Rome itself to barbarians). This book provides a glimpse into an oft-neglected corner of late antiquity . . .
4390732
I really enjoyed reading about the history of Islam in America as well as the author's insights into the lives of American Muslims studying overseas in madrasas of sorts. The author seeks to present a lot of information clearly and allows the reader some latitude in coming to conclusions acknowledging that the topic of Islam is huge and varied and above all things heterogeneous and multicultural instead of the typical homogenous, monocultural narratives that Americans and others attempt to provide our of a desire for simplicity of engagement with Islam. A faith of 2 billion people in a wide number of countries should never be too simple to explain