Knowledge is Light
Objectives of Studying the Blessed Sīra
Mawlana Muhammad Asif Iqbal Attari Madani
Purpose of studying the sīra
It is a matter of immense fortune to read the sīra (biography) of the final Prophet, our master Muhammad صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Reading and understanding it should not be approached in the same manner as other historical accounts, such as those detailing the life of a particular king or ancient era. As Muslims, our primary objective in studying the sīra should be to behold the living and perpetual truthfulness of Islam, as embodied by our Greatest Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. If we divide our purposes of studying the sīra into further parts, they can be summarised in the following objectives.
The first objective of studying the sīra
* To understand the prophetic personality of Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم through his pure life and circumstances in which he صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم lived. This will lead to one attaining certainty that the final Prophet of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was an outstanding and exceptional personality, which led to him reaching the highest standing among his people. Yet, before this, it will highlight how he صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is the Prophet of Allah, to whom Allah Almighty sent revelation and aided through His divine Grace.
The second objective
* When a person wishes to lead a righteous life, he must have exceptional examples for him to emulate at every step, which he can take as a road map in terms of actions and guidance. One must always then adhere to them. Whatever good examples a person searches for in any field of life, he will find them to the degree of perfection in the final Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. This is why Allah Almighty made him an example for all mankind.
لَقَدْ کَانَ لَکُمْ فِیْ رَسُوْلِ اللّٰہِ اُسْوَۃٌ حَسَنَۃٌ
Certainly, in the Messenger of Allah you have an exceptional example.[1]
The third objective
Studying the sīra helps a person understand the Book of Allah Almighty, leading to them experiencing the essence and messages of the noble Quran. Many narrations of the Greatest Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, his actions in these events, and his complete adherence to the Book of Allah; these become commentaries and explanations for many Quranic verses. Studying these makes understanding the noble Quran easier.
SaꜤd b. Hishām رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ narrates, “I went to Lady ꜤĀˈisha al-Ṣiddīqa رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا and said, ‘O mother of the believers! Kindly tell me of the Messenger of Allah’s character.’” She replied, کَانَ خُلُقُہُ الْقُرْآن – “His character was the Quran. Have you not recited these words of Allah?”
وَ اِنَّکَ لَعَلٰی خُلُقٍ عَظِیْمٍ (۴)
and you possess an impeccable character. [2]- [3]
The fourth objective
This allows for Muslims to amass a wealth of correct Islamic knowledge and cultural awareness in relation to beliefs, legal rulings, and good character. Through this, Muslims learn what beliefs they should have, under which principles they should live their lives, and the character traits they should possess. Without doubt, the life of the Greatest Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is a living and clear portrait of Islam’s principles and commandments.
The fifth objective
Another objective in this regard is for Islamic preachers and teachers to have a living example of teaching and training methods, as the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was a mentor and teacher who wanted nothing but good for Muslims. In various stages of propagating the religion, he صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم utilised beneficial methods of education and training, and employed the method that would have most impact on the one being addressed.
How does the sīra help one reach all these objectives? The Holy Prophet’s صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم life encompasses all aspects of human life. It also explains all facets of a person’s societal life, in terms of being both an individual and active member of society.
Shaykh Muhammad SaꜤīd Ramaḍān al-Būṭī writes:
The life of the Greatest Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم presents unique examples to us. We see the elegant manners of a young person, who walks an upright path and is truthful with friends and others alike. We see an exceptional human who calls towards Allah Almighty with wisdom and sound advice, and gives his all in delivering his message.
We behold the praiseworthy mannerisms of a head of state, who plans and organises matters with mastery, enlightened conscience, and incredible foresight. We have the incomparable example of an unmatched husband in amicability and a perfect father in compassion, who kept a clear distinction between the rights and responsibilities of wives and children.
We find the unmatched way of an expert military commander, a sincere statesman with great insight, and Muslim who fulfils his duty of servitude to Allah Almighty with perfection, correctness, and fairness, as well as leading a life of kindness towards friends and family. Studying the sīra is for no other reason than to behold a perfect representation of all facets of human life.[4]
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