Summary of Hossein Kamaly's A History of Islam in 21 Women

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The first person to receive the Prophet Muhammad’s message was a woman. He often turned to Khadija for advice. She knew him well and he trusted her. With her backing, he committed himself to good deeds and for a month at a time immersed himself in contemplation and devotional practices. #2 The start of Muhammad’s mission as God’s messenger was the mab‘ath, when he was visited by the archangel Gabriel with a message from God. The Quran was compiled within a generation after the Prophet Muhammad, and its emphasis on God, the creator, was fundamental to Islam. #3 When Muhammad told his wife Khadija about his vision, she believed him and set out to investigate. She went to see her cousin Waraqa, who identified Muhammad as the prophet announced in the Torah and the Gospels. #4 Khadija was a powerful woman in Mecca who used her status to back her husband when he was most vulnerable. She was both his shield and his support. The status of women in Meccan society was fraught and full of contradictions.