Washington Irving's Life of Mohammed

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Summary: A literary introduction to the founder of Islam
Review: In the last two decades of his life, Washington Irving produced a number of biographies intended for "the family library." In many ways, these works resemble the brief biographies currently being produced by literary figures for the Penguin Biographical Series. With a strong emphasis on the narrative events, while recounting the general literary and cultural traditions that enliven his subjects, Irving produced highly readable and intelligent works, among then studies of Christopher Columbus and George Washington. Published in 1850 after Irving returned from his tour as Minister to Spain, "Life of Mahomet and His Successors " was initially a sketch for what Irving hoped would be a longer study of the Islamic invasion of Spain and its effects on Spanish culture. At the request of a friend, Irving lengthed his intial sketch of the Prophet, revising it years later, again at the request of a friend, and adding an appendex, "Of the Islam Faith" that examines Islamic articles of faith and the daily religious practices of Moslems. Although Irving is a product of an Enlightenment education, he is by no means dismissive of the aims or beliefs of Mohammed. For instance, in discussing the various miracles attributed to Mohammed, Irving notes that Mohammed himself said that the only miracle was the Koran. Irving also notes the reactions of Christians and Jews during the foundation of Islam--that many said he was anti-Christ, that many signs and portents in Constantinople excited the religious authorities throughout the Mediterranean world. Irving's harshest criticism is reserved for the transformation of Islam during the prophet's life into a political force, often of violence and intolerance, which in Irving's opinion, distorted the spiritual truth of Mohammed's earlier visions. Despite these criticisms, Irving ultimately offers the reader the argument that the truest measure of Islam and its founder can be located in the beauty of the Koran. Read with Karen Armstrong's study of Islam, as well as NJ Dawood's translation of the Koran, this forgotten biography will extend your historical understanding of this important man and the world religious movement he founded.