READING: IMAGES OF THE PROPHET IN POPULAR MUSLIM POETRY
The selection below is from Celebrating Muhammad: Images of the Prophet in Popular Muslim Poetry, by
Ali Asani and Kamal Abdel-Malek. In this book, Asani and Abdel-Malek
bring translations and analyses of the many and various poems dedicated
to the Prophet Muhammad. Oftentimes, expressions of devotion to the
Prophet constitute some of the primary public practices of societies of
Muslims. Even though there have been reservations and objections to
Prophetic veneration (some groups label this practice excessive at best,
and prohibited at worse), just as many groups, if not more, have
considered devotion to the Prophet to be the natural consequence of
viewing him as model and guide, and as "the best of humankind."
Please read the prologue (1-9) and introduction (which is by Annemarie Schimmel, 10-15) of Celebrating Muhammad: Images of the Prophet in Popular Muslim Poetry, by Ali Asani and Kamal Abdel-Malek. (i.e., pp. 1-15)
http://sites.la.utexas.edu/mhc/files/2009/10/asani-celebrating_muhammad.pdf
Blog Smith is inspired by the myth of Hephaestus in the creation of blacksmith-like, forged materials: ideas. This blog analyzes topics that interest me: IT, politics, technology, history, education, music, and the history of religions.