hamza yusuf hails this work as "one of the great biographies of the english language", praising "the historical accuracy of the text and the providential care so evident in the author's choice of versions as well as the underlying structure of the story as he chose to tell it." he also reports from lings how while writing this book, "he was overwhelmed with the presence of the prophet during the entire time and felt a great blessing in having been able to complete it.".