al-Lulu al-Maknun fi Sirat al-Nabi al-Mamun
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- Al-Maktabah al-Amiriyyah
al-Lulu al-Maknun fi Sirat al-Nabi al-Mamun (The Hidden Pearl in the Biography of the Trusted Prophet, subtitled A Verified Study of the Prophetic Biography) is a four-volume biographical work on the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by the Kuwaiti writer Musa bin Rashid al-Azmi .
Composition and Purpose
The author spent nearly ten years compiling and investigating material across classical collections of Sirah, military expeditions (maghazi), and Hadith . His stated aim was to provide a comprehensive, accessible presentation of the Prophet’s life that distinguishes authentic and acceptable historical reports from weak or baseless traditions . The author completed the manuscript in Kuwait on 12 Rabi al-Thani 1431 AH (28 March 2010 CE) .
Methodology and Structure
The work is organized chronologically in four large volumes, covering the pre-Islamic Arabian context, the Prophet's lineage and early life, the Meccan period of the prophetic mission, the migration (Hijrah) to Medina, the military campaigns, expeditions, treaties, the conquest of Mecca, and the Prophet's final days .
In evaluating reports and events, the author relied primarily on the assessments of established hadith scholars regarding soundness (sihhah) and weakness (da'f); for reports lacking existing scholarly verdicts, he recorded them as found while attributing them directly to their original sources . In addition, obscure and difficult vocabulary across the narrations is explained in the footnotes using classical Arabic dictionaries such as Lisan al-Arab and al-Qamus al-Muhit .
Reception and Commendations
The book received written commendations from several contemporary scholars:
- Dr. Muhammad Rawwas Qal'ahji praised the book as a remarkable effort marked by critical verification, apt citation, and admirable documentation .
- Uthman al-Khamis wrote a foreword dated 29 Dhu al-Hijjah 1430 AH, commending the work for its comprehensive coverage of the Prophet’s life, its care in selecting authentic narrations, its warnings regarding non-authentic reports, and its well-chosen selections from classical authorities on Sirah .
The author also acknowledged review notes from Dr. Muhammad al-Shatti, Dr. Khalid al-Safi, Sheikh Salim Khalifah al-Hawwash, Muhammad Kuhyah, Yazid al-Qattan, and Muhannad al-Khariji .
Publication History
The work was reviewed by the Books and Artistic Works Committee under the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Kuwait, which approved it with minor linguistic corrections that the author incorporated into the published text .
The first edition was printed in 1432 AH / 2011 CE through al-Maktabah al-Amiriyyah in Kuwait, financed by Abdullah al-Ali al-Mutawwa . The four volumes comprise:
- Volume 1: 618 pages
- Volume 2: 725 pages
- Volume 3: 646 pages
- Volume 4: 696 pages
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