BOOK:”Life of Mohamet” by William Muir

Sir William Muir’s The Life of Mahomet was first published in 1861 in four volumes, a pioneering study based wholly on orthodox original sources. An abridged edition came out in 1876. The third edition was published with important alterations in one volume in 1894.  After Muir’s Life many Lives of the Prophet have appeared, but it still remains a classic and in some ways has not yet been surpassed in comprehensiveness and in the wealth of material. The reader may use this work to study and reflect on the doctrine of Islam. For, there is very little in Islam which is not founded on and does not revolve round the personality of the Prophet. Thanks to Archeology and other related disciplines, today we know a great deal more about Pre-Islamic Arabian culture, but ever since Muir there has been no addition in the source material relating to the Prophet’s life. This was exhausted long ago by early Muslim writers and all this was taken into account by Muir.

Overview of the Volumes:

1. Volume I: Introduces the primary sources for Muhammad’s biography and explores the pre-Islamic history of Arabia. ​Bible Newfoundland+3Google Books+3Online Books Page+3

2. Volume II: Covers Muhammad’s early life, his initial revelations, and the challenges he faced in Mecca.​

3. Volume III: Focuses on the migration to Medina, the establishment of the Muslim community, and the various battles and treaties.​

4. Volume IV: Examines the later years of Muhammad’s life, the consolidation of Islamic power, and his passing. ​

Accessing the Volumes:

The complete set of volumes is available for online reading or download through the Internet Archive:​

• Volume I: Read online

• Volume IV: Read online

For those interested in a consolidated edition, Muir released an abridged version in 1876, with a third edition published in 1894. This edition is also accessible online:​Exotic India Art+2Goodreads+2Amazon+2

• Abridged Edition

Please note that while Muir’s work was pioneering for its time, it reflects the perspectives and scholarly interpretations of the 19th century. For a more contemporary understanding, consulting recent biographies and studies on the Prophet Muhammad is advisable.