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Book Review:
Holy Prophet of Islām, Hadrat Muhammad Mustafasa
by Dr. Karimullah Zirvi, Editor Ahmadīyya Gazette, USA
Zakaria Virk
Hundreds of authors have written
biographies of the Holy Prophet
Muhammadsa. Then why was there
a need to write one more book
on this topic. The answer to this
question is that the life-story of
Prophet Muhammadsa is so rich and
varied that it cannot be told fully.
What Dr. Zirvi has done is to project
the excellent personality and moral
character of the Holy Prophet of
Islāmsa from original sources.
The title cover is beautifully
decorated with exuberant art work
and the entire book is divided into
25 chapters. The Foreword is written
by Hadrat Mirzā Masroor Ahmad,
the fifth Caliph of the Ahmadīyya
Muslim Jamā`at. Hudūr says in
his introduction, "It is ironic that
it is only Ahmadi Muslims who
have accepted the responsibility
of suggesting solutions to the kind
of problems in which the world is
immersed today by reflecting on
the life of the Holy Prophetsa."
Some important dates and events
of the life of Holy Prophet of Islām
have been given in chapter 25,
followed by a glossary of terms and
abbreviations. The bibliography
provides in detail all the books,
some old and some new, that have
been referenced in writing this
tome.
In order to fully appreciate the
thoroughness of this biography, I
studied many other biographies of
Prophet Muhammadsa for the sake
of comparative study. There were
many unique things about this book
that I did not find in other books.
For instance, not many biographies
describe in detail the funeral prayer
and burial of Prophet Muhammadsa.
However, on page 424, this detail
is given in four pages. Not many
readers know that there was no
Imām of the funeral prayer and that
the funeral prayer was not offered
in congregation. Everyone offered
the funeral prayer individually.
After that, people in groups of 10 to
12 entered the room to offer funeral
prayer. After all the men had offered
the funeral prayer, first the women
and then the children offered the
funeral prayer. The funeral prayer
continued for one whole day and
the burial took place 32 hours after
his demise, which was a Tuesday.
This is one unique thing that I have
pointed out, otherwise the books is
interspersed with lovely nuggets of
wisdom. It is also noteworthy that
very few biographies, if any, have
used the Holy Qur`ān to describe
the life and character of the Holy
Prophetsa.
Dr. Zirvi has described all the
important events in the life of
Prophet Muhammadsa. These
events are narrated to reinforce the
upbringing, preaching, & building
of character in every Muslim's life.
Chapter 10 is devoted to the peace
agreement of Hudaibiya, as well as
letters sent to Arab and non-Arab
kings. These letters are an ample
proof that the Prophet of Islām was
convinced of the universal message
of Islām. Chapter 17 provides basic
teachings of Islām and the five
pillars of faith. Compilation of the
Qur`ān is also given in great depth.
Chapter 18 is the heart of this
book, giving the exalted status of
Prophet Muhammadsa as described
in 53 verses of the Holy Qur`ān.
For instance, it is stated in the Holy
Qur`ān that his heart was full of
kindness for humanity (18:7).
Chapter 20 gives high moral
excellences of the Prophetsa like
his trust & faith in Allāh, his love
of God, acceptance of his prayers,
duties towards mankind, his
velour, his love for his companions,
his treatment of non-Muslims,
forgiveness of his enemies, his
love for the children, poor and the
orphans, his visions and prophecies,
justice and fair dealings.
This book will have immense
appeal to any intelligent reader.
It is thoroughly researched and
meticulously detailed with ample
references. It is a fascinating read
and is highly recommended.