Summary of Discussions — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 1

Introduction

In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Summary of Discussions.

Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: I-Early Sources of Sirat & Islamic History
Pages: Book pp. 50–55 (PDF pp. 74–79)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Books of the Contemporaries] | Next: [Location and External Boundaries] »

Historical Account

In essence, the fundamental sources in the Sīrat of the Holy Prophetsa and early Islāmic history are as follows: 1. The Holy Qur’ān 2. Quoted Books of Exegesis 3. Books of Ḥadīth 4. Books of Sīrat, History and Maghāzī1

The mutual degree in the rank of these items is expressed in the order by which they appear above. In other words, the most sound and indisputable source, whereby no room for doubt exists, is the Holy Qur’ān, which was gradually revealed to the Holy Prophetsa and was committed to writing along the way, during the span of his 23-year prophethood. It is this very ‘Master Key’ by which, incontrovertibly, every intricate entanglement in Sīrat and Islāmic history can be unravelled. The second class is of Ḥadīth, in which the Muḥaddithīn have worked with great prudence and vigilance, yet this category cannot be deemed as conclusive as the Holy Qur’ān, and various weak narrations have found way into this collection. The third class is of exegetical narrations which have relayed in commentary and elaboration of the Holy Qur’ān, however a portion of weak narrations have also found way of inclusion. The fourth class is the books of Sīrat and early history, which are, historically, the true foundation of the life of the Holy Prophetsa. Unfortunately, it is this very collection which possesses weaker and feeble narrations. For this very reason, in the cross examination and reconciliation of the narrations of Sīrat and history, it is incumbent upon every author of the biography of the Holy Prophetsa to firmly hold fast to the luminescent candle of the Holy Qur’ān and Ḥadīth. Otherwise, an authentic illustration of the Sīrat and biography of the

Holy Prophetsa can never be prepared. After the establishment of this principle foundation, I now turn towards my actual topic.

1 ًوَمَا تَوْفِیْقُنَا اِلَّا بِاللّٰهِ وَنَرْجُ وْ مِنْهُ خَ یْرا

II

Arabia & its Inhabitants

II Arabia & its Inhabitants

Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Section: I-Early Sources of Sirat & Islamic History | Navigation: « Previous: [Books of the Contemporaries] | Next: [Location and External Boundaries] »