The Sirah of the Prophet (pbuh): A Contemporary and Original Analysis

This is not the first Sirah book I've read, I purchased it based on a recommendation from a friend and I've also read other books by the author, listened to his lectures, etc. I had some expectations of what I would be buying before making the purchase (or so I thought!). Side note: I bought a two more copies to give away to family members before I made it through the first chapter! I needed that brief intro because I want the reader of this review to understand that when I got this thick book in my hand I was intimidated. Although, I've been through other Sirah books, lecture series (in both Arabic and English) and I thought to myself "here is another impulsive purchase that will accumulate dirt on my bookshelf." When I started reading it I found myself flying through it. This book is really well written. It took me less than a month to finish (mostly because I did not want to read the last chapter about the Prophet PBUH death). I did not want to finish the book because it made me feel like I was in another place, almost like being in a movie. I want to highlight this because it's an important differentiator between this work and other works. The author stays true to his podcast/video series in the way he explains things (side note I would highly recommend you look up the podcast and listen to it as it has more depth). You feel like you are there in Arabia more than 1400 years ago. The lens is the lens of those that live there and this is important because many people misunderstand the context of the Quraan/Islam/Sunnah and the Revelation in general. The author challenges the "modern" or "western" lens that everyone looks through and puts you in the time and place of the Prophet PBUH and his companions. He also addresses many misconceptions that people have about Islam; including the popular "Fox News" types of accusations that stem from ignorance and orientalism/racism. For those that love to dig in deeper (podcast is great) there are plenty of end notes that have all the references you would need without being in footnotes all over the entire book. This helps keep the flow to where it feels more like a Novel or a Movie script as you read it. I highly recommend this as one of the best books written about the Prophet in the English language. My recommendation goes to everyone whether or not they have accepted Islam or are just curious about Islam and the Prophet Muhammad PBUH life story. It offers such a good middle ground between depth and breadth that's so easy to just flow with as you read through it.

This is a clear, thoughtful, and engaging presentation of the life of the Prophet Muhammad that feels both grounded in classical sources and relevant to modern readers. The author handles sensitive and complex moments with honesty and proper historical context, avoiding both oversimplification and polemics. The narrative is accessible, well-structured, and reflective, making it suitable for readers new to the Sirah as well as those revisiting it. Its contemporary framing adds depth without distorting the tradition. Overall, a reliable and meaningful Sirah that balances scholarship, clarity, and relevance. Highly recommended!

Review of “The Seerah of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him)” The book “The Seerah of the Prophet” is a profound and transformative work that beautifully encapsulates the life, character, and mission of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It serves as a beacon of guidance for readers, offering timeless lessons about compassion, patience, justice, and unwavering faith. What makes this book stand out is its ability to touch the hearts of diverse readers, regardless of their prior knowledge or background. The detailed narration of the Prophet’s life, from his early days in Makkah to his final moments, is presented in a way that not only educates but inspires. It is particularly moving to see how the book sheds light on the humanity and mercy of the Prophet (peace be upon him), making his example relatable and achievable for all. The impact of this book on readers is evident in the way it transforms lives. Sending this Seerah book to Muslim inmates is an incredible initiative, as its message has sparked an awakening in their hearts, leading some to embrace Islam after reading it. This is a testament to the book’s power to guide people toward the truth and rekindle faith. May Allah reward those involved in the creation and distribution of this book abundantly. Your work is not only a source of immense knowledge but also a means of dawah that is changing lives and bringing people closer to Allah. Truly, the rewards for such efforts are with Allah, who multiplies goodness beyond measure. If you are looking for a book that offers spiritual enlightenment and practical guidance, The Seerah of the Prophet is an essential read. It is a treasure that continues to illuminate hearts and strengthen the bond between the Creator and His creation.

I have to highly recommend this book on Sirah, especially for converts who are not yet fluent in Arabic. I just finished Dr. Joel Hayward's "The Warrior Prophet: Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ and War" earlier this week, and following it up directly with Dr. Qadhi's book has been an extremely enjoyable experience. I intend to finish Mohiuddin's "Revelation: The Story of Muhammad" صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ (which is more of textbook rather than narrative breakdown of the Sirah, and very useful in that way) in the next week or two. I have read the classic Martin Lings' "Muhammad" صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ at least five times since converting in 1993, and we are reading that and the essential (I would argue the most essential book on Sirah translated into English) Shifaa' of Qadi Iyadh ("Muhammad, Messenger of Allah صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ : Ash-shifa of Qadi 'Iyad" translated by Aisha Bewley) as a group in weekly gatherings. There are more and more resources in Sirah. When I was a new Muslim in the '90's, we were happy when "The Sealed Nectar" was translated (very poorly) into English (I love the book in many ways, but they needed a native speaker for a translator and a good editor). Now, there is so much more for us to read. This book flowed beautifully. The narrative style is excellent. It is an essential text for a Muslim household or for anyone who wants to know about the beauty of the life of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ from a believer's point-of-view. The book had me in tears at many points, in such a good way. It is a poignant reminder of what our Islam should be, for we have in our Prophet the Perfect Exemplar. صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ

I absolutely love this book! It aligns really well with the video series on YouTube, which makes it a perfect companion if you’re following along there. The writing style is light and easy to follow, which keeps you interested from start to finish without feeling heavy or overwhelming. It’s informative, contemporary, and offers a fresh perspective that makes learning about the Prophet’s (pbuh) life engaging and accessible. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a thoughtful yet easy-to-read analysis that pairs wonderfully with the videos!

I can’t give this book any less than 5 stars. I haven’t been able to put it down. But upon reaching page 51, the printing ink clearly fades to a light gray and continues this way to the end of the book, making it hard to read in certain light settings.

One of the most beautiful and well written seerah book that supplements the 104 seerah lectures from Dr Yasir Qadhi. Easy to read, easy to understand and retain along with most important aspect that it contains a lot of references.

May Allah bless everyone who contributed to this Sirah. This was well written and engaging read. Highly recommend it

Reading The Sirah of the Prophet by Dr. Yasir Qadhi was truly enlightening. His detailed yet accessible approach to the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave me a deeper understanding of his mission and character. It’s both informative and spiritually uplifting—a book I highly recommend to anyone wanting to connect more deeply with the Prophet’s (pbuh) legacy.

An excellent and thorough biography of the noble Prophet (PBUH)'s life and times. Not only does Sheikh Yasir Qadhi delve into both the major and minor events in the Prophet's life, but he also extracts important lessons that we can learn and apply to our lives from these incidents. This book helped me to not just learn more about the Prophet but also about his companions and his family. Initially, I wondered how his seerah, which has over 150 parts on YouTube, would be able to fit in one book, but I was very impressed by how condensed yet detailed it was; the excellent writing and flow of the seerah made this a very difficult book to put down. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to learn more about the Prophet's life, whether a beginner or someone with more advanced knowledge.

A must read. The best book in the Sirah of the Prophet (PBUH).

Very good

Wonderful, especially when you see the u tube videos. Some more maps would improve much more the understandings of the sirah. And the quality of the paper for the hard cover book (52 euro) it's a little scarcely. As a conclusion i definitely encourage the youngsters especially, to read it. It's easy for the average english reader.