This was really interesting, informative, and fun to read. I really enjoyed the narrative format it was written in.

A great read for anyone (muslims or non-muslims) who wishes to learn about the Prophet Muhammad SAW. He truly was an exemplary leader who taught so many things to his ummah. He led by example, he taught us to answer violence with non-violence, he was trustworthy, he was brilliant, he was just, he was the perfect leader, he was the seal of the prophet. To quote Quran Surah 33 verse 41, "Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of ALLAH, and the seal of the Prophets and ALLAH has full knowledge of all things."

THIS IS NOT A CORRECT BIOGRAPHY OF THE PROPHET (pbuh). In the author's defense, I believe she doesn't even claim to be it so either. This book is about how the author analyzes those times to be. Well, I finished reading this a few hours back but given how it might give rise to controversies and doubts, I took some time to write this review. This book is not for someone who is learning about Islam for the first time; nor is this book comfortable for an ardent follower of Islam. This is written in a very objective view and "follows the arc of Muhammad’s rise from powerlessness to power, from anonymity to renown, from insignificance to lasting significance". This book is good for those who have doubts in their mind about why a Messenger of Peace had to take parts in war as the author explains the context of those times. The author offers an insight about the Prophet (pbuh) who had to "navigate between idealism and pragmatism, faith and politics, non-violence and violence". She wrote in an engaging way and tried to be as objective as possible but at one point she had to give in to her inherited biased-ness. Wish she utilized more valid sources but she recovered eventually. The book largely deals with the political aspect of Muhammad (pbuh)'s life so I gave out a fair warning initially. The book doesn't establish how he is the greatest Prophet but paints a very humane picture of him as a political leader. Read with an open-mind and you may find your certain doubts clearing (that were sowed in by Islamophobic ideologies). For muslims, I will also mention that you must read this only if you have strong faith in him because some parts are controversial and if you don't have strong faith or the ability to think clearly, you might feel uncomfortable.

this is the book I'm looking for. imo this book dares to challenge what (mostly) Muslim can't do. the conditions in my environment where conservative Islam tends to affirm all what is portrayed without daring to ask which may not be in line with what is taught is uncomforting for me

the humanist side of the prophet is well written and especially for me, helps me to imagine how the Prophet's life really is (I'm questioning this sometimes in my life because I'm a Muslim by born not because of converting) and the uneasy part of this book (satanic verse, jews, etc) got me thinking and do some research about it which I never do.

but, maybe the table of contents needs details. often I got lost because of it

For the most part, or at least through its first half, The First Muslim is a beautifully-written look at both the mystical and divine, and very human components of Muhammad's life, pieced together from both ancient sources and modern awareness of sociology and human nature. However, as other reviewers have noted, the author seems to grow more cynical and less objective towards her subject in the last half of the book.

As someone interested in learning more about Islam, I found at least the first half to be a valuable read, but the next book I read on Islam or Muhammad will be written by a Muslim, so I can gain a more balanced perspective than Hazleton's book alone can provide.