I Recently watched the documentary The Life of Muhammad, made by the BBC. It was part two of a three part documentary series on Christianity, Islam and Judaism. I think this documentary did a good job of not being biased or opinionated in the documentary, rather presenting facts and a good overview. The documentary portrayed Mohammad as a very spiritual man, they shared a good overview of the life of the prophet including both good and bad things. This gave people who may not be Muslim a better understanding of the religion through more of a historic view rather than a religious one. The documentary best outlines Mohammad's struggle when preaching monotheism. It also ddi a good job describing the time of environment Mohammad had to live through during the time when traveling to Medina. BBC's documentary seemed to also put things into context. In general I think that the documentary was entertaining and gave quite a detailed view of the prophet without being overall negative or positive.
7 Reviews
Well written. Concise but complete.
smiledaydream23 June 2021
Well written. Concise but complete. This is extremely well edited. It fills in a lot of details I've heard about in general here or there. Despite seemingly being written by those who are believers it does not ignore common criticisms or controversies. It does not show blind faith but covers stories as an intelligent person of faith might perceive them. My goal was to learn and this was definitely very educational and interesting to watch. Lots of good footage. Very cleverly managed considering the religious limitations do not allow depiction of the protagonist. They go to a lot of historians from inside and possibly not inside this belief system. The people they interview are extremely well educated.
Beautiful piece of work
xWRL22 August 2013
Others will need to comment on its accuracy, but this tracing of the life of Muhammad from his early days in Mecca up to his death makes for a lively, colorful, and credible account of the founding of Islam.
The documentary attempts to separate fact from fiction by interviewing a range of experts with a deep knowledge of Islam and of the history of that era. They don't agree among themselves on every single point, but the view of Muhammad that emerges is of a humble man and brilliant strategist whose mission was peace and harmony. If you're open to that view, this documentary will fill you with regret for the way Islam has been twisted, both by its enemies and by some of its extremist apparent friends.
For "balance," a couple of extremists are even included among those briefly interviewed.
The visuals are striking, including the desert landscapes and the imposing shots of modern day Mecca and Medina. The narrator, Rageh Omaar, is an articulate and personable guide through this thicket of contention.
The documentary attempts to separate fact from fiction by interviewing a range of experts with a deep knowledge of Islam and of the history of that era. They don't agree among themselves on every single point, but the view of Muhammad that emerges is of a humble man and brilliant strategist whose mission was peace and harmony. If you're open to that view, this documentary will fill you with regret for the way Islam has been twisted, both by its enemies and by some of its extremist apparent friends.
For "balance," a couple of extremists are even included among those briefly interviewed.
The visuals are striking, including the desert landscapes and the imposing shots of modern day Mecca and Medina. The narrator, Rageh Omaar, is an articulate and personable guide through this thicket of contention.
Life of Muhammad (2011) now available at shop PBS dot-org (both DVD and blu-ray)
teejayniles234523 August 2013
Our regional PBS station used a single night to show the entire 180-minute run of "The Life of Muhammad" (2011). The experts have a cumulative effect of being a bit uncertain of what can and can't be known about that era of history. I found the use of black and white photography to be a bit confusing however. There are NO ancient pictures of the Kaaba and to have such "stock footage" inserted would be confusing for the viewers who should be watching this PBS - BBC Production with those who have some perspective on what is knowable and to be agreed upon as far as figures of civilization and world culture.
I do rate the 3-part series (PBS and BBC) to be a 9 * rating.
I do rate the 3-part series (PBS and BBC) to be a 9 * rating.
Surprisingly Wonderful
innat-401046 May 2018
An Honest Review
generationofswine7 July 2019
I'm sorry, this isn't really accurate and it takes a lot of things as fact that are still being debated.
And full disclosure, I do feel that Petra and the debate around that shouldn't be taken as such a controversy in academia. The fact is, we don't know. The fact is that, if the same amount of evidence came about with Jesus and Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, it wouldn't have the controversy behind it. it would be debated and investigated as always.
But, for some reason Academia doesn't question the Koran anywhere near as much as it does other texts, and this doesn't question it either.
And, honestly, there is not much history in Mecca. It didn't appear on the map when Muhammad lived, or before. It wasn't on a trade route. It wasn't an important city then and it could never, ever field the crops described in the Koran.
This film doesn't question that, it takes it as, well, as gospel.
I don't know if Islam started in Mecca, but I know that the archeology isn't there. I don't know if the Petra theory is correct, but I do know that it fits better. I can't say either way. And, honestly, I refuse to say either way.
However, this doesn't really question the history enough, it only really pays the questions lip service. And as such, I think it does a disservice.
And full disclosure, I do feel that Petra and the debate around that shouldn't be taken as such a controversy in academia. The fact is, we don't know. The fact is that, if the same amount of evidence came about with Jesus and Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, it wouldn't have the controversy behind it. it would be debated and investigated as always.
But, for some reason Academia doesn't question the Koran anywhere near as much as it does other texts, and this doesn't question it either.
And, honestly, there is not much history in Mecca. It didn't appear on the map when Muhammad lived, or before. It wasn't on a trade route. It wasn't an important city then and it could never, ever field the crops described in the Koran.
This film doesn't question that, it takes it as, well, as gospel.
I don't know if Islam started in Mecca, but I know that the archeology isn't there. I don't know if the Petra theory is correct, but I do know that it fits better. I can't say either way. And, honestly, I refuse to say either way.
However, this doesn't really question the history enough, it only really pays the questions lip service. And as such, I think it does a disservice.
No. This is not The Life of Muhammad.
youpp30 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
No. This is not The Life of Muhammad.
No. This is not Islam.
If someone seriously and honestly interested in learning about Islam & Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) Should read the original main and only source "The Holy Quran"
You can find The Biography of the Prophet :
In Web.site : (islamhouse)
it's available in many languages
A whitewash documentary, Never Trust PBS or BBC... On any documentary about religions whether it was Christianity, Judaism, or Islam. They hate the idea of religion.
These series have many wrong/false events about the prophet Muhammad, They're trying to sell this documentary as Balance "Neutral" No. That's a lie. There is no balance when it comes to telling the history, if it was good you say it was good, if it was bad you say it was bad, that's it.
Prophet Muhammed didn't even think to attack the mekkans which she says he did. Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) is a mercy to mankind. He is gentle, humble, kind, forbearing, patient, caring, loving etc. Please learn about him from Muslim sources.
Even the qureshs used to call him THE TRUTHFUL, THE TRUSTWORTHY, The Qureshs never lost their trust in him even though they hated him. ISN'T That MARVELOUS... He was well respected.
And also prophet Muhammed never taught to fight, or kill anyone without any reason like the foolish today do. That is not islam nor is it the way of prophet Muhammed.
When he conquered mekkah he DIDN'T KILL ANYONE NOR DID HE FORCEFULY CHANGED THEIR RELIGION. He gave them amnesty...such is the man she spoke against in a direspectful manner. What a idiot is she.
Through the time, even non Muslims said and wrote that he was the Best of men, do your research and you can see for yourself.
No. This is not Islam.
If someone seriously and honestly interested in learning about Islam & Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) Should read the original main and only source "The Holy Quran"
You can find The Biography of the Prophet :
In Web.site : (islamhouse)
it's available in many languages
A whitewash documentary, Never Trust PBS or BBC... On any documentary about religions whether it was Christianity, Judaism, or Islam. They hate the idea of religion.
These series have many wrong/false events about the prophet Muhammad, They're trying to sell this documentary as Balance "Neutral" No. That's a lie. There is no balance when it comes to telling the history, if it was good you say it was good, if it was bad you say it was bad, that's it.
Prophet Muhammed didn't even think to attack the mekkans which she says he did. Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) is a mercy to mankind. He is gentle, humble, kind, forbearing, patient, caring, loving etc. Please learn about him from Muslim sources.
Even the qureshs used to call him THE TRUTHFUL, THE TRUSTWORTHY, The Qureshs never lost their trust in him even though they hated him. ISN'T That MARVELOUS... He was well respected.
And also prophet Muhammed never taught to fight, or kill anyone without any reason like the foolish today do. That is not islam nor is it the way of prophet Muhammed.
When he conquered mekkah he DIDN'T KILL ANYONE NOR DID HE FORCEFULY CHANGED THEIR RELIGION. He gave them amnesty...such is the man she spoke against in a direspectful manner. What a idiot is she.
Through the time, even non Muslims said and wrote that he was the Best of men, do your research and you can see for yourself.
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