Chrissy R

This is grossly misrepresenting Islam, and this is not me countering the characterizations of Shi'a Ja'fari narratives as inherently wrong. They can be present. Islam is diverse and we should respect that. But significant mischaracterizations, along with the depiction of Muhammad by an actor, the depiction of the Prophet's voice, like how can you do that in an Islamic film. Not to mention that even by Shi'a standards, the characterization of Abu Talib and Aminah as steadfast monotheist believers was excessive, though I am aware that the predominant narration on this is the Sunni narrative which holds Abu Talib to be pagan until much later in life. It's also very Christianized and Westernized, using Latin cantorship, light, standout white clothes to depict holiness, and the overglorification of the birth of Muhammad in a way that is borderline shirk, as it significantly undermines the fact that he was just a man, the perfect one, but still just a man, who received a message. The birth is also framed in the same light as the birth of Jesus/Isa. It's so weird, bc no (or very few) Muslims would carry that attitude. Other mistakes include offensive characterizations of Jewish and Christian characters (example, the Axum/Abyssinian/Ethiopian leader, who is depicted as a wild pagan). There is a gross misrepresentation of Meccan polytheism, and positions a child Muhammad as one who enlighteningly sees the tremendous tragedy of the use of idols in a society centered around this cultural artifact. The Prophet would have not talked about this until he received revelation. Also the fact that all the women in pre-Islamic Arabia are in absolute perfect hijab observance is ridiculous. This is... PRE-Islamic Arabia, and you can still keep an accurate depiction of that notion while remaining Islamic, (see. Moustapha Akkad's The Message). Finally, frequent anachronisms plague the story such as the use of the term "Rabi al-Awwal" for the hijri calendar month when Muhammad hasn't even received revelation yet, let along started the hijra. This film was only entertaining by how ridiculous it is that it positions itself as a legitimate narration of the story of the Prophet (peace be upon him).