Martin Lings was a British writer and scholar, best known for his works on Islamic spirituality and literature. Born in 1909, he served as a professor of Islamic studies at the University of London and contributed significantly to the understanding of Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam. His writings often emphasized the importance of inner experience and the spiritual dimensions of faith. Lings is perhaps most famous for his biography of the Prophet Muhammad, titled Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources. This book is celebrated for its accessible style and deep respect for Islamic tradition. Lings passed away in 2005, leaving a lasting impact on the study of Islam and interfaith dialogue.