The oldest Islamic biography of Muhammad, written in the mid-eighth century, relates that the prophet died at Medina in 632, while earlier and more numerous Jewish, Christian, Samaritan, and even Islamic sources indicate that Muhammad survived to lead the conquest of Palestine, beginning in 634-35. Although this discrepancy has been known for several decades, Stephen J. Shoemaker here writes the first systematic study of the various traditions. Using methods and perspectives borrowed from biblical studies, Shoemaker concludes that these reports of Muhammad's leadership during the Palestinian invasion likely preserve an early Islamic tradition that was later revised to meet the needs of a changing Islamic self-identity. Muhammad and his followers appear to have expected the world to end in the immediate future, perhaps even in their own lifetimes, Shoemaker contends. When the eschatological Hour failed to arrive on schedule and continued to be deferred to an ever more distant point, the meaning of Muhammad's message and the faith that he established needed to be fundamentally rethought by his early followers. The larger purpose of The Death of a Prophet exceeds the mere possibility of adjusting the date of Muhammad's death by a few years; far more important to Shoemaker are questions about the manner in which Islamic origins should be studied. The difference in the early sources affords an important opening through which to explore the nature of primitive Islam more broadly. Arguing for greater methodological unity between the study of Christian and Islamic origins, Shoemaker emphasizes the potential value of non-Islamic sources for reconstructing the history of formative Islam.

Following the success of the international bestseller, 100 THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO, Nigel Cumberland turns his attention to leadership. 100 THINGS SUCCESSFUL LEADERS DO distills all the wisdom and knowledge of a lifetime of coaching great leaders into 100 short chapters showing you how to build your own leadership skills quickly and confidently. 100 THINGS SUCCESSFUL LEADERS DO is packed with great ideas for creating long-term success for yourself and those you lead. Explore the habits, tools, techniques and mentality of smart leaders and develop your own leadership style. Every chapter features a new idea that will help you get closer to your goals. Mixing simple explanations with activities and exercises, you'll learn the optimal mindset and habits you need to succeed. Praise for 100 THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO 'Inside these pages you'll find a powerful reminder of the many ways you can make your life - and other people's lives - more successful. It will help you identify what success means to you and give you the building blocks for making that success a reality. This is your chance to overcome whatever obstacles are stopping you. Read it, act on it and experience the difference' Marshall Goldsmith Ph.D., bestselling author of TRIGGERS

These compelling tales from the lives of the great spiritual leaders help children to share in the heritage of world history. Twenty informative texts give a vivid account of each inspirational figure at a particular moment in his or her life: the reader witnesses the struggles and triumphs of people whose leadership and faith inspired their followers. The lives described here span over three thousand years of human history, from Moses and Buddha to Mother Teresa and the current Dalai Lama, from ancient Egypt to contemporary America. All the major world religions are introduced and brought to life: Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism and Hinduism, Confucianism, Baha i, and Taoism, as well as traditional North American beliefs.

If you've ever asked yourself why you do what you do, or wondered what your purpose is in life, this book is for you.The lives of an intensely-driven basketball coach, an ultra-successful CEO, and an unassuming janitor all intersect in this captivating parable about leadership, relationships, and the pursuit of success. An unforgettable story packed with profound truths, "LEAD . . . for God's Sake " will challenge you to think deeply about who you are as a leader, what success means to you, and why you do what you do. Whether you're leading a business, a team, or your own family, this book is the first and most important step to becoming the leader you were meant to be.