The Silence of Mohammed
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
Before becoming the Prophet of Islam, Mohammed was a simple man of flesh and blood who started life as a poor orphan in the Arabian city of Mecca. Through his union with Khadija, he became a prosperous merchant and caravaneer. He was visited by God at the age of forty to become a Prophet and visionary statesman. The Silence of Mohamed is the story of "this exceptional man" (Bachi)
Based on historical fact and legends, the novel presents a fictionalised account of the life of Mohammed told by four key characters: his first wife, Khadija; his closest friend, Calif Abu Bakr; the fiery warrior, General Khalid; and his last love Aisha.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Shortlisted for two French literary prizes, this is both a novel and the telling of the story of Islam. Chronicling all the notable stories, such as Mohammed's shock over receiving the first Qur'anic revelation; his marriage to the older Khadija; Khadija's Christian cousin Waraqa's recognition of Mohammed's prophecy; his friendship with Abu Bakr, non-Muslim readers will learn a great deal about Islam, and Muslim readers will enjoy the fictionalized re-telling. Interspersed are verses from the Qur'an, which enhance the storyline. Though Mohammed himself does not narrate, the main figures in his life, including his beloved Khadija, Abu Bakr, and Aisha among others, each take a chapter, telling their own version of Mohammed's and early Islam's story. Bachi departs with some long-held views, including his depiction of Mohammed as literate, which will surprise many knowledgeable readers and perhaps not pleasantly. The author's boldness is admirable; it is the rare writer who can question the veil, depict the jealousy of Mohammed's wife Aisha, and portray the lechery of an Arab warrior, all within a few pages.
