The Life of Muhammad

Faris Kemrani’s documentary “The Life of Muhammad” is probably one of the best documentaries on the life of the prophet Muhammad out there. It gives one a comprehensive look into Muhammad’s life and teachings from a very balanced perspective. The director, Faris Kemrani, went out of his way to interview people of all different perspectives. Some of the interviewees defend Islam (e.g. Karen Armstrong, Tariq Ramadan, etc). Others, such as Robert Spencer or Ayaan Hirsi-Ali, are well known critics of Islam. Still others, such as John L. Esposito, Robert G. Hoyand, Gerald Hawting, etc offer a more objective perspective. I am genuinely perplexed by the bad reviews which people have given to this documentary. I am shocked that some people see this documentary as apologetic, while others see this documentary as anti-Islamic, and others see this documentary as not comprehensive enough. Those who claim that it is too pro-Islamic clearly either skipped over or simply did not realize that some of the more controversial aspects of Muhammad and some of the more controversial events in his life are, in fact, addressed---most notably, the killing of the Banu Qurayza tribe in Medina. Those who claim that this movie is anti-Islamic clearly have not noticed how much the documentary focuses on all of the good things the prophet Muhammad had done for his followers, for Arabia, and for the history of the world. It is clear to me that many of the reviewers of this documentary---regardless of how they felt about Islam or Muhammad---already approached this documentary with their own opinions set in stone and could not stomach the fact that this documentary was OBJECTIVE and BALANCED, and could not deal with the fact that it was either not critical enough or not laudatory enough. Given this fact, I really would suggest that if anyone buys this documentary, one must approach it with an open mind, regardless of how one already feels about Islam, about Muslims, or about Muhammad specifically. If you approach this documentary with an open mind, you might actually learn something. Either way, I would HIGHLY recommend this documentary to anyone who is interested in Islam, or who is interested in religion or history more generally.

I do not own this documentary yet, but I plan to own it. I saw it on PBS, and I learned a little bit about Islam while I was studying for my A.A. degree. But, this program takes what I learned to a new level, and it helped me to understand the mindset of how true Islam functions and is practiced in our world. I remember another documentary I saw on the Muslim perspective it was called, "Control Room, " but this documentary covered the war in Iraq from Al Jazeera perspective mostly. It was a great film in it's own right as well, very candid. However, in the feature, "Life of Muhammad," really pulls together a lot of the facts of the Islamic world, and debunks a lot of the myths spread by the Western world about Islam. It is less tainted politically than most programs you will see on this subject. I like it. I am a practicing Buddhist, and I found many qualities of hospitality toward all religions described within Muhammad's way of treating people. He accepted all peoples and he tried and succeed in non-violence. The documentary also shows why the modern terrorists use the Quran, and debunks their means as false to the original message of Muhammad. This documentary really is worth getting, not only for understanding another culture and their beliefs, but it helps us erase our fears and preconceived notions about Islam, and aide in world peace and respect for others.

This is a spin of the life of Muhammad. Of the incidents that were told the beheading (all 800 fighters and made captives of the women and children) of a Jewish tribe in Medina is examined here. According to this film Muhammad made a mutual defense `treaty' with the Jews. Muhammad then picked fights with the tribes of Mecca by attacking and stealing from their caravans. Understand that the Jews had a moral code in which stealing was one of the top ten things not to do. Understandably after a period of time some of the Jews became disenchanted with this one sided `treaty'. The excuse given in this film for the beheading of these Jews is that the Jews told the Muslims that they should behead them and that this met the standards of the time. This does not really pass the sniff test. In the Bible God and his prophets met a higher standard than the mores of the time. There are other versions of this incident told in other sources that seem more likely. That there was no treaty, the beheading happened after a Muslim majority in Medina and was the first of many beheading of the infidels in Muslim majority areas.

Excellent PBS 3 Part, 3 hours total, documentary about Muhammad and Islam. I watched this on TV when it first came out and decided I wanted a copy to share with family and friends. I am retired 57 year old white, Catholic, born and raised in the U.S. I did however work and live in the Middle East for 20 years. I have an appreciation for the people, their culture and religion. I find that many of my fellow Americans have very little real knowledge of the diverse people of that region or their predominate religion. With family, friends and especially meeting new people when they learn my background, I am often engaged in discussion about these subjects. This documentary explains Muhammad's life which is the basis/beginning of the modern Islamic religion. I believe it give a good foundation for someone without much knowledge of the subject to understand it. Conversely, I have also spoken with Muslims that have watch this and they too think it is an excellent documentary. If you are reading this review you must be interested in the subject and thinking about plunking down $20 for this DVD. I would highly recommend it.

I learned a lot from this documentary. I knew very little about Islam. It is interesting and well done and seemed to be fair. I am no expert on the subject but it seemed a fair portrayal as near as I could tell.

Wonderful documentary by PBS! As a Muslim I found this extremely informative, sweet, and enlightening about The Prophet (s.a.w.). The story accounts the life of Muhammad before, during, and after his Qu'ranic revelations. Very good documentary to watch just for the historical background of Islam.

This is a good documentary, because i'm not muslim and it help me learn a little about muslim's. If you are interested in learning about muslim i say this is a good movie. Even doe i have a few guys that work with me that are muslim and they don't like this movie. I was wondering why after i seen this movie and after i saw this movie i ask the that and they say that it does not represent muslim the right way, uhhhhhhhh. Well, everyone has the right to say what ever they want in this BEAUTIFUl country.

As you may find from other reviewers, this is very well done film; it interviews intelligent and well informed scholars. They are not presenting opinions but using the Qu'ran to validate their statements. The film presents a very different view on the "The Prophet," some may say "sanitized," but the facts to stand on their own. The documentary does note where the evidence is sparce. The only point I find exception to is pointed out by another reviewer (who gave a "1") that the massacre of one of the Jewish groups settled in Medina violated the treatise which had been signed and that the Jews were going along with their valued system, which denounced robbery. According to the film, Mohammed didn't give the execution order but asked the group who they would select to impart judgement; so the issue is a bit muddled. You will have to see the documentary to draw your own conclusion. One of the interviewers asserts that Muhammed is one, of the top three, greatest leaders of all times; and the film shows how the radical Islam of suicide bombers and hateful Jihad, have nothing to do, and in fact and totally opposite to what the Qu'ran teaches, and how carried out his life by example, as is has been documented. Other than that, the film has beautiful photography and animations to illustrate the story.

I found it a very informative & well balanced set of programmes. Rageh Omaar is an engaging & objective presenter. He is does not shy away from controversial issues. A word of warning only buy this if you have a multi-region DVD player.

I watched the documentary on PBS and wanted the DVD to be able to re watch and learn.

Glad i found this documentary and I would highly recommend it! Shared it with family and friends and they all loved it.

Would buy again!