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The Prophet Muhammad in History, Devotion, and Polemic
HDS 3338

Jointly Offered with: Faculty of Arts & Sciences as RELIGION 1078

Course Information

Description

In the early seventh century, a man named Muḥammad son ofʿAbdallah founded a movement that in time grew into a global religion, empire, and civilization. This course explores three discourses that developed around the life and character of the Prophet Muhammad. First, we will survey some of the biographies that Muslim scholars, both ancient and modern, have written about the life of their prophet. Second, we will explore how the Prophet's life, teachings and persona have served as subjects of Islamic devotion. Finally, the course examines some of the ways in which non-Muslims, again both ancient and modern, have perceived and portrayed Muhammad in polemic against Islam or dialogue with Muslims.

Jointly offered in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences as Religion 1078.

School Harvard Divinity School
Credits 4
Cross Reg

Available for BTI Cross Registration

Available for Harvard Cross Registration

Course Component Seminar
Instruction Mode In Person
Grading Basis HDS Student Option (LG/SUS)
MTS/ThM Area of Focus Islamic Studies
Religion, Ethics, and Politics
Religion, Literature, and Culture
Arts of Ministry Religious Education and Spiritual Development
MDiv Histories, Theologies, and Practices Islam
Language Course Type N/A
Language Taught N/A
MDiv Scriptural Interpretation Islam
Course Level HDS Introductory Level