al-Qawl al-Mubin fi Sirat Sayyid al-Mursalin
- Author died
- 1411 AH
- Editions
- Dar al-Nadwah al-Jadidah
al-Qawl al-Mubin fi Sirat Sayyid al-Mursalin ("The Lucid Discourse on the Biography of the Master of the Messengers") is a study of the prophetic biography (sirah) by the Egyptian scholar Muhammad al-Tayyib al-Najjar (d. 1411 AH / 1991 CE) .
Composition and Purpose
Muhammad al-Tayyib al-Najjar completed the book in Heliopolis (Misr al-Jadidah) in Shawwal 1398 AH / September 1978 CE . In his introduction, he stated that the work was directed toward students of knowledge and historical researchers rather than intended for entertainment or literary ornamentation . His aim was to critically examine the reports preserved in classical biographical works, verify their soundness, and purge historical accounts of fabrications and extraneous narratives that entered early biographical literature .
Structure and Scope
The book follows the chronological sequence of the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from his pre-Islamic lineage to his death :
- Pre-Islamic background: The first chapter sets the historical context by discussing the Sacred House (al-Bayt al-Atiq), the Arabized Arabs in Mecca up to Qusayy ibn Kilab, the story of the two intended sacrifices (Ismail and Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib), the emergence and spread of paganism across the Arabian Peninsula, pre-Islamic Arab society, and the condition of Judaism and Christianity in Arabia prior to Islam .
- Prophetic chronology: The subsequent chapters trace the milestones of the Prophet's life, pausing at major events to analyze conflicting historical views and adopting positions based on rational deduction and historical evidence .
- Conclusion: The narrative concludes with the passing of the Prophet ﷺ at the age of sixty-three lunar years (equivalent to sixty-one solar years), which al-Najjar dated to the morning of Monday, 13 Rabi' al-Awwal 11 AH / 8 June 633 CE .
Methodology and Sources
Al-Najjar relied primarily on the Quran and authenticated compilations of Hadith, noting that while they provide the foundational framework, they mention historical incidents succinctly and require amplification from classical historical records . His primary classical references included:
- Ibn Hisham's al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah and al-Tabari's Tarikh al-Umam wa-l-Muluk, both drawing from Ibn Ishaq .
- Ibn Sa'd's al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, al-Ya'qubi's Tarikh, al-Mas'udi's Muruj al-Dhahab, Ibn al-Athir's al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, Ibn Kathir's al-Bidayah wa-l-Nihayah, and Ibn Khaldun's al-Ibar .
He also consulted modern historical studies, citing works by Muhammad al-Khudari (Nur al-Yaqin), Muhammad Husayn Haykal (Hayat Muhammad), Muhammad Izzat Darwazah, Salih Ahmad al-Ali, Mahmud Shit Khattab (al-Rasul al-Qaid), and Muhammad al-Ghazali (Fiqh al-Sirah) . Regarding Western scholarship, al-Najjar noted biased tendencies among writers such as William Muir and Leone Caetani, while acknowledging greater balance in works by Tor Andræ and W. Montgomery Watt, advising caution in utilizing them .
On prophetic miracles, al-Najjar distinguished between established miracles transmitted through authenticated reports—such as the opening of the chest (shaqq al-sadr) and the splitting of the moon (inshiqaq al-qamar), which he maintained must not be subjected to empirical rationalization—and uncorroborated miraculous claims, which he argued should be set aside .
Editions and Annotations
The work has been published under various imprints:
- An edition published by Dar al-I'tisam in Cairo in 1398 AH / 1978 CE .
- A print by Matabi' al-Kaylani in Cairo .
- An edition published by Dar al-Liwa' in Riyadh in 1403 AH under the subtitle Dirasat fi Daw' al-Qur'an wa-l-Sunnah al-Nabawiyyah ("Studies in the Light of the Quran and Prophetic Sunnah") .
- An annotated edition published by Dar al-Nadwah al-Jadidah, edited and annotated by Abd al-Salam ibn Muhammad ibn Umar Allush, who examined the narrations and noted that the majority of reports cited in the text are sound, appending critical footnotes where he differed with the author's preferences .
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