People of the Book: Prophet Muhammad’s Encounters with Christians

The Christians that lived around the Arabian Peninsula during Muhammad's lifetime are shrouded in mystery. Some of the stories of the Prophet's interactions with them are based on legends and myths, while others are more authentic and plausible. But who exactly were these Christians? Why did Muhammad interact with them as he reportedly did? And what lessons can today's Christians and Muslims learn from these encounters? Scholar Craig Considine, one of the most powerful global voices speaking in admiration of the prophet of Islam, provides answers to these questions. Through a careful study of works by historians and theologians, he highlights an idea central to Muhammad's vision: an inclusive Ummah, or Muslim nation, rooted in citizenship rights, interfaith dialogue, and freedom of conscience, religion and speech. In this unprecedented sociological analysis of one of history's most influential human beings, Considine offers groundbreaking insight that could redefine Christian and Muslim relations. ‘A path-breaking work.’ ''A historical meditation on the fascinating complexity of Christian belief systems in Arabia which would have been encountered by Muhammad. This is a valuable text on the ancient co-existence of faiths, which, while honouring each other, weren''t afraid to draw lines in the sand about their differences.'' ''An important exploration of monotheism during Prophet Muhammad''s lifetime in seventh-century multicultural Arabia, citing the many surprising crossovers between Islam, Judaism and Christianity which deserve to be better known.'' ''At the birth of Islam, there was a spirit of Abrahamic ecumenism--only a vague memory for some Muslims today, and totally unknown to most non-Muslims. Considine skilfully highlights that lost spirit, reminding us that religious freedom and pluralism were not alien to the world-changing mission of Prophet Muhammad.'' ''Based on impeccable scholarship, Considine makes the compelling case that the divine message received by Prophet Mohammad came amid real-life encounters. The interactions between Muslims and Christians bring a message of unconditional regard and gracious hospitality, as relevant now as it was then.'' ''In this highly accessible account of seventh-century Christian-Muslim relations, Considine takes us on a journey to the multi-ethnic, inter-faith Ummah of Prophet Muhammad, where freedom of religion existed for Christians and Jews. These historical lessons resonate today. A unique and timely work.'' The Christians that lived around the Arabian Peninsula during Muhammad''s lifetime are shrouded in mystery. Some of the stories of the Prophet''s interactions with them are based on legends and myths, while others are more authentic and plausible. But who exactly were these Christians? Why did Muhammad interact with them as he reportedly did? And what lessons can today''s Christians and Muslims learn from these encounters? Scholar Craig Considine, one of the most powerful global voices speaking in admiration of the prophet of Islam, provides answers to these questions. Through a careful study of works by historians and theologians, he highlights an idea central to Muhammad''s vision: an inclusive Ummah, or Muslim nation, rooted in citizenship rights, interfaith dialogue, and freedom of conscience, religion and speech. In this unprecedented sociological analysis of one of history''s most influential human beings, Considine offers groundbreaking insight that could redefine Christian and Muslim relations.

• | Author: Craig Considine
• | Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
• | Publication Date: Aug 19, 2021
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Hardback
• | ISBN-13: 9781787384712
• | ISBN-10: 1787384713