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Muhammad, say, “I am the first Muslim.”
– Quran
Overview
Muhammad’s was a life of almost unparalleled historical importance; yet for all the iconic power of his name, the intensely dramatic story of the prophet of Islam is not well known. Muhammad is one of the most fascinating and misunderstood figures in history.
In “The First Muslim”, author Lesley Hazleton brings him vibrantly to life. Drawing on early eyewitness sources and on history, politics, religion, and psychology, she follows the arc of Muhammad’s rise from powerlessness to power, from anonymity to renown, from insignificance to lasting significance.
Being respectful and scholarly, Hazleton’s narrative creates vivid insight into Muhammad as a man navigating between idealism and pragmatism, faith and politics, non-violence and violence, rejection and acclaim.
The book illuminates not only an immensely significant figure but his lastingly relevant legacy.
About the Author
Lesley Hazleton was a British-born, American citizen. Born into an orthodox Jewish family, she later became an agnostic. She worked as a journalist in the Middle East. She has written books on Prophet Muhammad, Mother Mary, the history of the Shia-Sunni split, etc. She died in 2024 at the age of 78.
Her book “The First Muslim” was the New York Times Editors’ Choice
Why it might be of interest to Muslims?
The book gives Muslims substantial additional knowledge and insight about their Prophet.
Why it might be of interest to non-Muslims?
Over 2 billion people, or about 25% of the total human population are Muslims. Understanding Muhammad gives a better understanding of Islam, Muslims and our world. This has high priority in view of the false narratives on Islam contributing to widespread dangerous Islamophobia in our world.
Tedx video of Lesley Hazleton discussing the book is found at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aC7bUTBKv0
Title of the video is: “Seeing Muhammad – and each other – whole”
The book is available at amazon.com and amazon.in
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.