1. What is the sirah?
Sirah (سيرة): the special word for the life history of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. On this basis the sirah has been studied and written as a separate field of knowledge.
2. The Prophet ﷺ – a guide for everyone
(34:28) – meaning: (O Prophet!) We have sent you to all of mankind as a bearer of good news and a warner; but most people do not know.
Allah and the Prophet – a beautiful comparison
| Allah | The Prophet ﷺ |
|---|---|
| Rabb al-'Alamin (ربّ العالمين) – Lord of all the worlds (1:1) | Rahmatan lil-'Alamin (رحمة للعالمين) – a mercy to all the worlds (21:107) |
| Rabb an-Nas (ربّ الناس) – Lord of mankind (114:1) | Kaffatan lin-Nas (كافة للناس) – the Prophet for the whole of mankind (34:28) |
This is why his sirah has been studied and preserved for more than fourteen centuries.
3. Why the sirah has been preserved
- He is the final messenger to the world; no other messenger will come after him → his message must be preserved.
- People who accepted him and shaped their lives by him have existed from his time until today.
- His history has been written and preserved very accurately; in every age efforts have been made to protect his biography from distortion.
- Books about his life have been written in every language, from many angles, not only by Muslims but also by non-Muslims.
The role of the Companions
- While the Prophet ﷺ was alive, they observed very closely his appearance, movements, teaching, actions, likes and dislikes.
- They passed these on to later generations with witnesses.
- They went from house to house to get explanations from eyewitnesses, and carefully examined those who reported.
- The Companions, the Tabi'un, and the Tabi' al-Tabi'in after them made extraordinary efforts.
- So the sirah has been compiled in such a way that we too can see the Prophet ﷺ as if we stood near him like the people of his time.
Tabi'i (تابعي) = one who met the Companions. Tabi' al-Tabi'in (تبع التابعين) = the next generation, who met the Tabi'un.
4. The first books of sirah
| Author | Died | Book | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad ibn Ishaq | 151 AH | "Sirat Rasul Allah" – the first to write the sirah | Not available in later times |
| Muhammad 'Abd al-Malik ibn Hisham | 218 AH | Written quoting Ibn Ishaq's book | Still available today |
These two books are regarded as the first books of sirah.
The textbook includes a picture of the sirah book "ar-Raheeq al-Makhtum".
5. The sirah must not be presented wrongly
The Prophet ﷺ warned his Companions:
- (Bukhari) – meaning: "Whoever deliberately lies about me, let him take his place in the Fire."
- (Bukhari) – meaning: "Do not praise me excessively as the Christians praised 'Isa, son of Maryam. I am only a servant. So say: the servant of Allah and His Messenger."
That is why the sirah has been written correctly, accurately and without distortion.
The Prophet ﷺ – not an ordinary man
- Though a human being, he is the purest of human beings; his past and future sins are forgiven; he has many special qualities.
- Loving him is connected with iman.
| Verse | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 33:6 | The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves |
| 9:128 | A messenger has come to you from among yourselves; your suffering grieves him; he is deeply concerned for your good; he is kind and merciful to the believers |
| 7:157 | Those who believe in him, honour him, help him and follow the light (the Book) sent down with him are the successful |
6. Why we need to study the sirah
Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali (1917–1996)
We should study the sirah as a soldier looks to his commander, a student to his teacher, and followers to their leader. Knowledge and feeling should come together. We should understand its wisdom and build a life that is pure, thoughtful and balanced. (paraphrase)
A model for everyone
(33:21) – meaning: "Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example."
- This example is not limited to a particular time, place or race.
Sayyid Sulaiman Nadvi
Whether one is poor or well-off, a ruler or ruled, a learner, a victorious soldier, someone surrounded by suffering or pursued by troubles – whoever one is, there is an example for everyone in the sirah. (paraphrase)
Further
- Many people have read the sirah with an open mind, been drawn to it, and accepted Islam.
- The sirah is the channel of the basic sources of Islam: the Quran and the Sunnah reached us through the Prophet ﷺ; the Quran itself became his life and his words.
- In his Farewell Sermon he said he was leaving the Quran and the Sunnah → the sirah = the practical example of the Islamic way of life.
"Others were shaped by history; the Prophet ﷺ shaped history itself."
Quick revision
- Sirah = the life history of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Rabb al-'Alamin (1:1) Rahmatan lil-'Alamin (21:107); Rabb an-Nas (114:1) Kaffatan lin-Nas (34:28).
- Reasons for preservation: final messenger, continuing followers, accurate records, books in every language.
- First books: Ibn Ishaq (151 AH) – "Sirat Rasul Allah" (not available); Ibn Hisham (218 AH) – available.
- "Do not praise me excessively; say: the servant of Allah and His Messenger" (Bukhari).
- 33:21 – an excellent example; Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali (1917–1996); Sayyid Sulaiman Nadvi.