Muhammad and the Supernatural

Muhammad and the Supernatural: Medieval Arab Views examines the element of the supernatural (or miracle stories) in the life of the Prophet Muhammad as depicted in two genres: prophetic biography (s-ra) and Qur'-n exegesis (tafs-r).

Rebecca R. Williams is Assistant Professor in the Department of History at the University of South Alabama. Her research interests include: Islamic historiography, the biography of the Prophet Muhammad, and Qur'ān exegesis.

Part I: Sex 1 The Light of Prophesy: Christian, Jewish and Pagan Attempts 2 "God Knows very well where to place His message" 3 Muhammad's Conception and the Supernatural Part II: Politics 4 Muhammad's Public Announcement and the Absence of the Supernatural 5 "Who will aid me in this matter?" 6 Abu Lahab: The Villain Part III: Betrayal 7 Questions of Character: Hatib's Letter to the Meccans 8 Hatib's Story in the Tafsir 9 The Necessity of the Supernatural Part IV: Wrath 10 Amir b. Al-Tufayl and Arbad b. Qays: Control and Chaos in the Sira 11 "And God Sent Upon Him a Thunderbolt" 12 Authorial Control and the Supernatural