The Warrior Prophet Muhammad (S) & War By Joel Hayward

Synopsis:

This book, written by Professor Joel Hayward, presents a comprehensive and evidence-based historical account of Prophet Muhammad’s understanding and use of warfare. Hayward, a renowned Islamic scholar and expert in strategic studies, challenges the conventional narrative that portrays Muhammad as a reluctant warrior who only fought in self-defence.

Key Arguments:

1. Contextualising Muhammad’s warfare: Hayward situates Muhammad’s military campaigns within the harsh and competitive tribal society of 7th-century Arabia, highlighting the Prophet’s agency and strategic thinking in response to the challenges he faced.
2. Revaluating the Prophet’s military leadership: Hayward argues that Muhammad’s military successes were not solely due to his prophetic status, but rather his ability to adapt and innovate within the context of Arabian warfare, demonstrating a deep understanding of tactics, logistics, and diplomacy.
3. Correcting the pacifist narrative: Hayward contends that the modern depiction of Muhammad as a pacifist who only fought reluctantly in self-defence is an oversimplification and cannot be sustained by a thorough analysis of early Islamic sources.

This book is new!