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Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources

Description:

A revised edition of the internationally acclaimed biography of the prophet

• Includes important additions about the prophet’s spread of Islam into Syria and its neighboring states

• Contains original English translations from 8th and 9th century biographies, presented in authoritative language

• Represents the final updates made on the text before the author’s death in 2005

Martin Lings’ biography of Muhammad is an internationally acclaimed, comprehensive, and authoritative account of the life of the prophet. Based on the sira, the eighth- and ninth-century Arabic biographies that recount numerous events in the prophet’s life, it contains original English translations of many important passages that reveal the words of men and women who heard Muhammad speak and witnessed the events of his life.

Scrupulous and exhaustive in its fidelity to its sources, Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources is presented in a narrative style that is easily comprehensible, yet authentic and inspiring in its use of language, reflecting both the simplicity and grandeur of the story it tells. This revised edition includes new sections detailing the prophet’s expanding influence and his spreading of the message of Islam into Syria and its neighboring states. It represents the final updates made to the text before the author’s death in 2005. The book has been published in 12 languages and has received numerous awards, including acknowledgment as best biography of the prophet in English at the National Seerate Conference in Islamabad.
Read more

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This work is widely recognized as the most readable account of the life of the Prophet to date.” ― Times of London

"Lings provides a wealth of detail on the life of Muhammad, the time and place of many Koranic revelations, and the foundation of Islam, all based exclusively on 8th- and 9th-century Arabic biographical sources and collections of the sayings attributed to Muhammad. General readers will find a well-written, straightforward chronological narrative; Muslim readers will appreciate the favorable treatment of Muhammad; while specialists will find a faithful and convenient rendering of source material." ― Joseph Gardner, California State Univ. Lib., Northridge Library Journal

“For those interested in Islam . . . it is mesmerizing.” ― Parabola

From the Back Cover

RELIGION / ISLAM"This work is widely recognized as the most readable account of the life of the Prophet to date."--Times of London"For those interested in Islam in one way or another, it is mesmerizing."--ParabolaMartin Lings's biography of Muhammad is an internationally acclaimed, comprehensive, and authoritative account of the life of the Prophet. Based on the sira, the eighth- and ninth-century Arabic biographies that recount numerous events in the Prophet's life, it contains original English translations of many important passages that reveal the words of men and women who heard Muhammad speak and witnessed the events of his life.Scrupulous and exhaustive in its fidelity to its sources, Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources is presented in a narrative style that is easily comprehensible, yet authentic and inspiring in its use of language, reflecting both the simplicity and grandeur of the story it tells. The book has been published in twelve languages and has received numerous awards, including acknowledgment as best biography of the Prophet in English at the National Seerat Conference in Islamabad. This revised edition, which represents the final updates made to the text before the author's death in 2005, incorporates important additions about the Prophet's expanding influence and his spreading of the message of Islam into Syria and its neighboring states.Martin Lings (1909-2005) was a renowned British scholar with degrees in English and Arabic from London University and Oxford University. At Oxford, he studied English under C. S. Lewis, who later became a close friend. Lings taught at several European universities and the University of Cairo and served as the keeper of Oriental manuscripts for the British Museum and the British Library. His friendship and similar beliefs with philosophers Rene Guenon and Frithjof Schuon inspired Lings to convert to Islam. He went on to become an influential member of Western Muslim society, participating in several international Islamic councils and conferences, including acting as consultant to the World of Islam Festival Trust. He is the author of twelve books on religion and spirituality.

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Informative and easy to read

a. · August 9, 2025

Highly recommended. As a history enthusiast, I love reading about influential historical figures and leaders. One of my favorite aspects of this book is how vividly it captures the society and culture of the era.

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing and well detailed!

R.A. · March 4, 2025

This book on the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Is well worth waiting for and very detailed about his life. There were quite a few chapters I did not expect but was quite thrilled to read. Also really nice being able to read this during the holy month.I will most likely be coming back to this seller for more of these insightful books on Islamic topics.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic

A.S.A. · December 7, 2025

Fantastic

5.0 out of 5 stars Audio book is missing chapters

N.M. · October 28, 2025

Beautiful book but the audio book is missing chapters and some good stories that are in the textbook

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book

N.u. · October 25, 2025

Great book

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Accurate

T. · November 13, 2010

For anyone who would like to know more about the life of Prophet Muhammad, this is the book for you. As someone who had read and heard the arabic sources, i can comfortably say that this book is highly accurate and matched most what i already used to know about the life of the Prophet Muhammad. The author just studied and translated all the earliest reliable resources without trying to impose his point of view or give his opinion. He did occasionally leave some commentary here and there to explain some of the pertinent cultural habits or speech of the arabs who lived at that time. The author is not apologetic in any way nor does he try to distort or change the events to make it more appealing to the non-muslims reader. The author's honesty is evident by the fact that he mentioned in great details, and without modifications, all the "sensitive" or "controversial" issues such as the marriages of the Prophet or the wars and fighting that took place. So for any anti-muslim reader or writer, this is the book for you too. Finally, i wish if the author mentioned in more details the Last Sermon of the Prophet during the last pilgrimage. it was really a nice and eloquent speech and would only add one more page to the book. Anyway it can be found on the net just search for it. He also did not mention some of the famous last words of the Prophet before his death, specially when emphasizing about praying and the treatment of women: "By Allah ! the prayer ! the prayer ! and he kept on repeating those words until he said: O people, fear Allah in dealing with women, fear Allah in dealing with women, O people, I ask you to be good to your women".nb: Although this book is considered the most reliable source about the life of Prophet Muhammad, it still surprises me that it had less than 70 reviews, while the book of Robert Spencer, who is neither a schoolar of Islam, nor a speaker of arabic language, got 354 reviews till now..i have no answer for that.

4.0 out of 5 stars A classical account of the life of the Prophet (pease be upon him)

S.M. · March 20, 2019

This is a classical read about the life of Prophet Muhammad (May peace be upon him) by Martin Lings.This is by no means the review about the life of the Prophet but it is review about the book and author.Most famous books on the life of the Prophet were written in Arabic and then later translated into other languages including English, which sometimes looses the essence of the author’s perspective because of the limitation of the vocabulary and comprehension in the translated languages compared with Arabic language.This book was written in English by Martin who was an authority on Shakespearean work and which has heavily influenced his writing style to be more classical English and a little tough to read for modern readers.Nonetheless Martin’s emphasis on the authenticity via reference from Qur’an and the Prophet’s sayings and the reliance on earlier sources like Ibne Ishaq has produced this marvelous book which provides a unique biography of the greatest human being ever walked on the the earth (Muslim belief).I would highly recommend this book to anyone for academic or spiritual benefits. The other book on the similar topic I would recommend is “The Sealed Nectar” by Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarkpuri, originally written in Arabic.The kindle version has a lot of spelling errors which seems to be introduced by latinizing the people and places names from Arabic to English. I will not recommend kindle version until the spelling errors are fixed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book

M. · October 5, 2024

The media could not be loaded. True to size and appearance. It has a great weight and the book itself is very interesting.

Inspiring

B.H.S. · January 24, 2026

I have read this book and honestly I would recommend it to every Muslim and surely to anyone willing to learn about Islam. The story of our Prophet (pbuh), his life, simplicity, his perfection especially through his struggles and his teachings are inspiring. Martin Lings writes it beautifully, even though I am not good at completing books, i found this one an easy read.

Amazing book

B. · November 27, 2025

What a informative and engrossing book

Best Seerah book

G. · November 24, 2023

Based on original historical sources, the book tells a narrative like a novel.This is perhaps the best ever Seerah book in English.

Good buy..

S.J. · March 14, 2025

Arrived in time...good quality...

A BookThat Brought the Prophet’s (ﷺ) Story to Life!

N. · June 25, 2025

As someone who grew up with only fragmented knowledge about the Final Messenger (ﷺ), this book was a revelation. Martin Lings’ meticulously researched biography, based on the earliest Islamic sources, paints a vivid, deeply moving portrait of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) — not just as a historical figure, but as a living example of mercy, wisdom, and divine guidance.Why This Book Stands Out:✔ Authentic & Well-Sourced – Relies on classical texts like Ibn Ishaq and Tabari, with scholarly integrity✔ Beautiful Storytelling – Reads like an epic, balancing historical detail with spiritual depth✔ Humanizes the Prophet (ﷺ) – Shows his compassion, struggles, and miracles in a relatable way✔ Clarified Misconceptions – Helped me understand the context behind key events (Hijrah, battles, revelations)I finished it feeling closer to my faith and inspired by the Prophet’s (ﷺ) legacy. A must-read for Muslims and non-Muslims alike seeking truth about “the best of creation.”

Visit the Inner Traditions Store

Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources

Product ID: U1594771537
Condition: New

4.8

(2,345 ratings)

AED8108

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Paperback
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

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Similar items from “Middle East”

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Visit the Inner Traditions Store

Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources

Product ID: U1594771537
Condition: New

4.8

(2,345 ratings)
Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources-0
Type: Paperback

AED8108

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

A revised edition of the internationally acclaimed biography of the prophet

• Includes important additions about the prophet’s spread of Islam into Syria and its neighboring states

• Contains original English translations from 8th and 9th century biographies, presented in authoritative language

• Represents the final updates made on the text before the author’s death in 2005

Martin Lings’ biography of Muhammad is an internationally acclaimed, comprehensive, and authoritative account of the life of the prophet. Based on the sira, the eighth- and ninth-century Arabic biographies that recount numerous events in the prophet’s life, it contains original English translations of many important passages that reveal the words of men and women who heard Muhammad speak and witnessed the events of his life.

Scrupulous and exhaustive in its fidelity to its sources, Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources is presented in a narrative style that is easily comprehensible, yet authentic and inspiring in its use of language, reflecting both the simplicity and grandeur of the story it tells. This revised edition includes new sections detailing the prophet’s expanding influence and his spreading of the message of Islam into Syria and its neighboring states. It represents the final updates made to the text before the author’s death in 2005. The book has been published in 12 languages and has received numerous awards, including acknowledgment as best biography of the prophet in English at the National Seerate Conference in Islamabad.
Read more

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This work is widely recognized as the most readable account of the life of the Prophet to date.” ― Times of London

"Lings provides a wealth of detail on the life of Muhammad, the time and place of many Koranic revelations, and the foundation of Islam, all based exclusively on 8th- and 9th-century Arabic biographical sources and collections of the sayings attributed to Muhammad. General readers will find a well-written, straightforward chronological narrative; Muslim readers will appreciate the favorable treatment of Muhammad; while specialists will find a faithful and convenient rendering of source material." ― Joseph Gardner, California State Univ. Lib., Northridge Library Journal

“For those interested in Islam . . . it is mesmerizing.” ― Parabola

From the Back Cover

RELIGION / ISLAM"This work is widely recognized as the most readable account of the life of the Prophet to date."--Times of London"For those interested in Islam in one way or another, it is mesmerizing."--ParabolaMartin Lings's biography of Muhammad is an internationally acclaimed, comprehensive, and authoritative account of the life of the Prophet. Based on the sira, the eighth- and ninth-century Arabic biographies that recount numerous events in the Prophet's life, it contains original English translations of many important passages that reveal the words of men and women who heard Muhammad speak and witnessed the events of his life.Scrupulous and exhaustive in its fidelity to its sources, Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources is presented in a narrative style that is easily comprehensible, yet authentic and inspiring in its use of language, reflecting both the simplicity and grandeur of the story it tells. The book has been published in twelve languages and has received numerous awards, including acknowledgment as best biography of the Prophet in English at the National Seerat Conference in Islamabad. This revised edition, which represents the final updates made to the text before the author's death in 2005, incorporates important additions about the Prophet's expanding influence and his spreading of the message of Islam into Syria and its neighboring states.Martin Lings (1909-2005) was a renowned British scholar with degrees in English and Arabic from London University and Oxford University. At Oxford, he studied English under C. S. Lewis, who later became a close friend. Lings taught at several European universities and the University of Cairo and served as the keeper of Oriental manuscripts for the British Museum and the British Library. His friendship and similar beliefs with philosophers Rene Guenon and Frithjof Schuon inspired Lings to convert to Islam. He went on to become an influential member of Western Muslim society, participating in several international Islamic councils and conferences, including acting as consultant to the World of Islam Festival Trust. He is the author of twelve books on religion and spirituality.

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Informative and easy to read

a. · August 9, 2025

Highly recommended. As a history enthusiast, I love reading about influential historical figures and leaders. One of my favorite aspects of this book is how vividly it captures the society and culture of the era.

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing and well detailed!

R.A. · March 4, 2025

This book on the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Is well worth waiting for and very detailed about his life. There were quite a few chapters I did not expect but was quite thrilled to read. Also really nice being able to read this during the holy month.I will most likely be coming back to this seller for more of these insightful books on Islamic topics.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic

A.S.A. · December 7, 2025

Fantastic

5.0 out of 5 stars Audio book is missing chapters

N.M. · October 28, 2025

Beautiful book but the audio book is missing chapters and some good stories that are in the textbook

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book

N.u. · October 25, 2025

Great book

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Accurate

T. · November 13, 2010

For anyone who would like to know more about the life of Prophet Muhammad, this is the book for you. As someone who had read and heard the arabic sources, i can comfortably say that this book is highly accurate and matched most what i already used to know about the life of the Prophet Muhammad. The author just studied and translated all the earliest reliable resources without trying to impose his point of view or give his opinion. He did occasionally leave some commentary here and there to explain some of the pertinent cultural habits or speech of the arabs who lived at that time. The author is not apologetic in any way nor does he try to distort or change the events to make it more appealing to the non-muslims reader. The author's honesty is evident by the fact that he mentioned in great details, and without modifications, all the "sensitive" or "controversial" issues such as the marriages of the Prophet or the wars and fighting that took place. So for any anti-muslim reader or writer, this is the book for you too. Finally, i wish if the author mentioned in more details the Last Sermon of the Prophet during the last pilgrimage. it was really a nice and eloquent speech and would only add one more page to the book. Anyway it can be found on the net just search for it. He also did not mention some of the famous last words of the Prophet before his death, specially when emphasizing about praying and the treatment of women: "By Allah ! the prayer ! the prayer ! and he kept on repeating those words until he said: O people, fear Allah in dealing with women, fear Allah in dealing with women, O people, I ask you to be good to your women".nb: Although this book is considered the most reliable source about the life of Prophet Muhammad, it still surprises me that it had less than 70 reviews, while the book of Robert Spencer, who is neither a schoolar of Islam, nor a speaker of arabic language, got 354 reviews till now..i have no answer for that.

4.0 out of 5 stars A classical account of the life of the Prophet (pease be upon him)

S.M. · March 20, 2019

This is a classical read about the life of Prophet Muhammad (May peace be upon him) by Martin Lings.This is by no means the review about the life of the Prophet but it is review about the book and author.Most famous books on the life of the Prophet were written in Arabic and then later translated into other languages including English, which sometimes looses the essence of the author’s perspective because of the limitation of the vocabulary and comprehension in the translated languages compared with Arabic language.This book was written in English by Martin who was an authority on Shakespearean work and which has heavily influenced his writing style to be more classical English and a little tough to read for modern readers.Nonetheless Martin’s emphasis on the authenticity via reference from Qur’an and the Prophet’s sayings and the reliance on earlier sources like Ibne Ishaq has produced this marvelous book which provides a unique biography of the greatest human being ever walked on the the earth (Muslim belief).I would highly recommend this book to anyone for academic or spiritual benefits. The other book on the similar topic I would recommend is “The Sealed Nectar” by Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarkpuri, originally written in Arabic.The kindle version has a lot of spelling errors which seems to be introduced by latinizing the people and places names from Arabic to English. I will not recommend kindle version until the spelling errors are fixed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book

M. · October 5, 2024

The media could not be loaded. True to size and appearance. It has a great weight and the book itself is very interesting.

Inspiring

B.H.S. · January 24, 2026

I have read this book and honestly I would recommend it to every Muslim and surely to anyone willing to learn about Islam. The story of our Prophet (pbuh), his life, simplicity, his perfection especially through his struggles and his teachings are inspiring. Martin Lings writes it beautifully, even though I am not good at completing books, i found this one an easy read.

Amazing book

B. · November 27, 2025

What a informative and engrossing book

Best Seerah book

G. · November 24, 2023

Based on original historical sources, the book tells a narrative like a novel.This is perhaps the best ever Seerah book in English.

Good buy..

S.J. · March 14, 2025

Arrived in time...good quality...

A BookThat Brought the Prophet’s (ﷺ) Story to Life!

N. · June 25, 2025

As someone who grew up with only fragmented knowledge about the Final Messenger (ﷺ), this book was a revelation. Martin Lings’ meticulously researched biography, based on the earliest Islamic sources, paints a vivid, deeply moving portrait of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) — not just as a historical figure, but as a living example of mercy, wisdom, and divine guidance.Why This Book Stands Out:✔ Authentic & Well-Sourced – Relies on classical texts like Ibn Ishaq and Tabari, with scholarly integrity✔ Beautiful Storytelling – Reads like an epic, balancing historical detail with spiritual depth✔ Humanizes the Prophet (ﷺ) – Shows his compassion, struggles, and miracles in a relatable way✔ Clarified Misconceptions – Helped me understand the context behind key events (Hijrah, battles, revelations)I finished it feeling closer to my faith and inspired by the Prophet’s (ﷺ) legacy. A must-read for Muslims and non-Muslims alike seeking truth about “the best of creation.”

More from this brand

Similar items from “Middle East”

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Or share with link

https://www.bolo.ae/products/U1594771537