[SB] Sifat al Sofwah / صفة الصفوة

It is vital for every single human being to study the life of the greatest man to have ever walked this earth, a man who changed the course of human history forever. No other individual has had such a lasting influence or impact in any sphere of human endeavor; be it history, culture, economics, social welfare, politics, diplomatic relations or warfare.

Today’s modern society owes a huge debt to Muhammad, the great Prophet of Islam. This brief, yet comprehensive, work covers all the main aspects of the life of the Messenger of Allah. It includes his noble qualities, his description, members of his family – such as his maternal uncles and aunts and wives, the slaves he freed, the scribes who recorded for him, his envoys who carried his Message to various kings and territories around the globe, those who proclaimed the Call to prayer, his Umrah and Hajj, his military expeditions, his manners, his miracles, his riding beasts, his weapons and the legal rulings that were unique to him.

Knowing about the Prophet Muhammad is compulsory for every Muslim. This work is an excellent primer and should be necessary reading in every Muslim home. This book is ideal as a teaching tool for Schools and Madrassahs everywhere.

The author, Imam an-Nawawi (d. 767H), was a leading personality of Islamic history. Born in Syria to a deeply religious family, he was renowned for his piety and love of Allah, the Most High. He authored many valuable works, in a variety of different sciences, which gained eminence throughout the Muslim world.

It is very important for anyone who wants to spread the message of Islam to study the life of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and discover how he undertook the mission of da‘wah, or calling to Islam. This book is a blueprint for da‘wah. From studying his biography we learn the lessons of patience and perseverance in the face of adversity and opposition, and the readiness to sacrifice everything for the cause of Islam. In this book, Dr. as-Sibâ‘ie shows us how the Prophet’s approach was gentle yet determined and clear-cut, with no compromise on basic issues. The author takes the most important events of the Messenger’s life, summarizes them in order to offer a brief overview, then outlines the lessons that we learn from these events. This is an excellent introduction both to the principles of da‘wah and to the seerah, the study of the life of the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him). It should be on the bookshelf of every Muslim who wants to call others to Allah. The Life of Prophet Muhammad: Highlights and Lessons has been translated into English by Nasiruddin al-Khattab.

The Night the Moon Split, by Ivanka Dimitrova, takes young readers on a journey through time, back to the days of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It describes one of his greatest miracles: the splitting of the moon. This remarkable event is related as a bedtime story told to a young Muslim boy. This story is an excellent choice for both read-aloud and independent readers. Recommended for ages 7-12.

Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him), the Messenger of Guidance: A Concise Introduction to His Life and Islam is an excellent resource for both Muslims and non-Muslims. In Part One, the author succinctly summarises the life of Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him), using authentic reports from his Companions to paint a beautiful portrait of his qualities and characteristics. In addition, he examines and explains the basic pillars of faith and worship in Islam, and then goes on to discuss issues that are relevant to the Muslim nation today.

Part Two brings together a wide selection of sound hadiths, or sayings of the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him). The author has carefully chosen these to cover a broad variety of topics, thus creating a useful reference that is easy to follow and comprehend.

This book provides the reader with an academic perspective on Islam, which is supported by modern, eloquent translations of the original textual sources: the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Blessings and peace be upon him. It is an excellent resource for both the casual and the academic reader.

This book offers the sacred impetus and methods of teaching and learning derived from the statements and model of the Prophet Muhammad, God’s peace be upon him. It behooves Muslim educators and teachers to study these essential principles and explore how they may be translated into methodologies that apply in today’s world.

Collectively, the precepts and recommendations of the gracious Prophet SAW show how vital he viewed learning and teaching.