Last month, the book, The Social Science of Muhammad (SAW) was released; and following are comments from readers from all over the world.
“By the way, I have just finished reading your sub chapter on Islamic intellectual intersections with Mindfulness … very nice.
I have been doing a little media work on that whole Mindfulness area, by the way.”
– Professor Alan Downe (my Ph.D. supervisor)
“This is an amazing masterpiece that has combined the excellent social tips found in the religion of Islam as well as what social scientists have theorized. The personal experience of the author with respect to the subject as captured in the book is instructive enough to excite the readers.”
– Pen Abdul
“From The Art of War by Sun Tsu, to The Seven Habits by Stephen Covey, The Social Science of Muhammad by Dr. Ibraheem Dooba, adds on the achievements of the best of modern success literature by brilliantly aligning their prescriptions with the better, timeless and superlative examples of the Prophet of Islam in a way that has never been done before. The book is a must-read for all- Muslim or not – who desire to understand the relevance of the 6th-century instructions of Muhammad in the 21st century.
It proves once again the verse: “You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct)…” _ Qur’an: 33:31
– Ibraheem A. Waziri
“Prof. Dahiru Yahaya, in one of his treatises, has given us an insight into how Muslims’ minds are prepared to endure poverty and other stressful vicissitudes of life. Yet, chapter two of Dr Ibraheem Dooba’s book, the Social Science of Muhammad (SAW) establishes a nexus between how Muslims automatically get rid of stress through meditation during the prayers they observe 5 times a day.
“According to Dooba, therefore, mindful meditation, a trending topic that galvanised a deluge of scientific researches, is something which the Muslims do primarily for spiritual purposes but profit tremendously from mental health benefits in the process.”
– Yakubu Musa
“The prayer is one of the most important pillars in Islam and it has been in practice for centuries by Muslims across the globe with momentous spiritual and health benefits. [The chapter on the science of prayers] has reinvigorated the significance of these prayers to health benefits using MINDFULNESS; a concept that was recently discovered by modern scientists.”
– Dr Nuruddeen Mohammed (EFCC)
“Let me preface this with an appreciation. If I sound stunningly inarticulate at times in this review of a great book, I can’t help it. My mind is completely full of enthusiasm.
This book is a moral, educational and wealthy guide. I read chapter 11 over ten times in my early hour of the day. The chapter is full of joy, inspiration and motivation. I pray Almighty Allah bless the author and readers.”
– Nuhu Mohammed
‘Dear namesake, I’ve just read the 4th chapter of your book and it is both concise and insightful. I couldn’t help but marvel at your ability to say so much in such a few words about the great cancer called gossip. Indeed, the best of mankind was Prophet Muhammad, who said, “Do not tell me about any one of you; I like to meet each person with a clear mind”’.
– Ibrahim Balogun
“‘Why Muslims pray five times a day’ is a chapter that brings salah into focus. It reminds me that it is essentially a communication with my creator in heaven which grounds me firmly to earth. Even though I have reaped this benefits of salah for over four decades, this is the first time it’s been captured so vividly for me. It pushes to one a mindfulness in salah you may not have had before. It left me with a stronger resolve to learn the Arabic language.”
– Hauwa Baba Idris
“Started reading, and I am moving up and down. Thinking the next chapters will run away before I read them. Exceptionally well written.”
– Dr Gana Usman
“I have read the first three chapters so far and here is my review for the third chapter:
It’s surprising that Islam designs all these attributes in our congregational salah without us even noticing. Also the way it’s carried out universally because of its effect is interesting.
I feel like reading more chapters to discover a lot of amazing ways I can improve my life. And I am also inspired to involve others in carrying out some activities for the best outcome.”
– Dr. Aisha IMAM Talba
‘I just read chapter two” why Muslims pray 5 times a day.” I learnt that by praying, I did not only fulfil my obligations to Allah, but I also benefited physically through relieving myself of stress.
By inference, praying does not only benefit you in the hereafter, it also benefits you tremendously in one’s day to day life activities.
I have been practising mindfulness through salat unconsciously, reading this chapter availed me the opportunity to practice same consciously.’
– Engr Ibrahim Yayaji
“I [started the chapter on Salah and] it incited me to reading the whole chapters at a go.
Muslims throughout Islamic history only found comfort in their Salah. Imam Abu Dawud brought in his Sunan that the Prophet called upon Bilal to kick-start what gives comfort.
My dad suffers from eye problem and I still remember him once telling me, he started getting cured by focusing/staring at his place of prostration.”
– Muhammad Zahruddeen
“Chapter two [from the perspective of psychology] talks about the importance of prayer, how it brings peace and increases one’s compassion. It also mentions how mindfulness changes and improves our minds.”
– Mukhtar Adnan Tudunwada
“One of the things I like most about chapter two of Dr. Ibrahim Dooba’s “The Social Science of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)” is how it simplifies the meaning and explanation of mindfulness to the reader, and how it referenced a lot of research by scientists to back how praying five times a day serves as Mindful Meditation to Muslims. Dr. Dooba is one of my favourite writers and inspiration, I learn a lot from his simple but sophisticated writings.”
– Mu’awiyya P. Muye
“An excellent read and a master-stroke by Dr Dooba. The book is tremendously interesting; of particular interest to me is chapter 14 on how beating children may bread violence in the society. It is instructive to note that when the author was my school teacher about 16 years ago, he did not carry a cane and I think that could also be a reason why he is an exceptional teacher.“
– Dr Jabir Jibril
”Salam Dr. Eid Mubarak. Here is my review for chapter 2. It is well written and interesting to see the correlation between science and prayers. I love the way you bring out the true nature of prayers – Mindfulness and Meditation. Two words I hadn’t consciously connected to prayers until now.”
– Dr. Amina Abubakar (First Lady, Niger State)
”I am really enjoying reading it; I am reading it in bite sizes so that I can digest each part before moving on. It is really inspiring me in so many ways. Well done.”
-Mrs Mariya Sani (Director, Starfield College Abuja)
“I would like to express my deepest appreciation for your excellent book that will be beneficial to both Muslims and non-Muslims.
I especially like chapter two, which talks about how Muslims pray five times a day to show thankfulness to Allah and an opportunity to communicate directly with Him.
At fixed intervals, you have to suspend whatever you are doing and take out a few minutes and pray. Such act reminds a Muslim about the existence of God throughout the day. Each prayer includes physical movements that would enhance flexibility, muscle strength and muscle endurance.”
– Mrs Jamila Abubakar
”I read a lot of fiction that keeps me on edge and makes me flip the pages like crazy and that makes non-fiction a little more difficult to read. But I must say, once I started reading I didn’t want to stop. The book is beautifully written and very captivating; anybody can read it. And I love science proving that being a good Muslim makes you an awesome human!”
– Aisha Mabdul
