Abstract
First published in 1995, the Very Short Introduction series have grown to be a popular and accessible point of entry into a diffuse range of disciplines. Jonathan A. C. Brown, a scholar well versed in Hadith tradition, is expertly placed to contribute to the over two hundred Very Short Introductions already available with this exploration of the importance of Muhammad within the Muslim tradition. In doing so, he rightly notes that ‘there is no one, official version of Muhammad’s life even amongst Muslims’ (p. 1) and that with religious stories, ‘myth and fact mix so freely and so clearly depend on one’s point of view’ (p. 1). The structure of the book acknowledges such historiographic problems by way of its three major chapters. Firstly, the life of the Prophet Muhammad from a sacred narrative perspective; secondly, historiographic issues and debates in relation to that narrative; and thirdly, an exploration of the significance of Muhammad within Islamic civilisation.
Chapter one, the sacred narrative perspective of the Prophet Muhammad’s life, is largely a digest version of the most famous Muslim account of Muhammad’s life, the Sira, written by Ibn Ishaq (d. 767). Brown has condensed the Sira material and woven a strong cohesive narrative thread throughout making the content engaging and accessible. While one might object to the reverent tone and uncritical exposition, it must be remembered that this is a sacred narrative perspective; something which Brown clearly highlights with the qualification, ‘you are stepping into Muslim shoes now’ (p. 2). Rather, it is in chapter two where Brown provides a more critical perspective by engaging with historiographic debates. He provides an excellent overview of the major trends in the search for the historical Muhammad including a brief chronological exposition of Western scholarship. In doing so, Brown acknowledges that while ‘Muhammad’s career was a turning point in world history…he was very much a child of his time’ (p. 67). With that caveat in place, Brown does not shy away from many of the issues that readers new to the subject might find controversial or unfamiliar; such as the significance of tribal systems, polytheism, and Muhammad’s multiple marriages – particularly his marriage to Aisha. Having provided a sacred narrative perspective and juxtaposed this with historical critical perspectives, Brown’s final chapter seeks to communicate something of the significance that Muhammad plays within Islamic civilisation. In doing so, Brown emphasises the centrality of Muhammad in relation to a number of facets of Islamic life; law, ritual, literature, and popular culture. His exploration attempts to understand the force of feeling behind contemporary issues, such as portraying or insulting Muhammad, while seeking to communicate something of modern interpretations of Muhammad in the fields of political reform and gender equality. This short book aptly balances pious understanding, critical perspective, and the historical development of thought in a manner that is engaging and accessible. Accordingly, it sits well in the tradition of the Very Short Introduction series and so acts as an excellent entry point for readers who know little or nothing about Muhammad.