Meeting Muhammad

Publisher: Kube Publishing, 2022, xi+259pp. ISBN: 9781847741776 (HB).

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The author, Omar Suleiman, an activist, public speaker, and writer is an American Muslim and the founding president of the US-based Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. Thematically arranged, the book under review consists of thirty different themes brie y covering various aspects of the life of Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) as illustrated and reflected in Qur’anic verses and Hadith (prophetic traditions).

Suleiman begins with “His Appearance” which highlights Prophet Muhammad’s physical attributes (Shama’il). These attributes, according to the author, were most beautiful, perfectly shaped, fashioned, harmonious, and balanced (p. 3). Moreover, the author emphasizes that while the Prophet’s “physical composition was of utmost beauty, his internal character traits... were in fact even more beautiful” (p. 1). Suleiman delineates the practical importance of these prophetic traits. Depression and stress are common in the modern consumerist outlook (p. 16), which not only has shattered the foundations of social cohesion and family relations but has also led to common dissent, hatred, disrespect, etc.