Khasais Sayyid al-Alamin wa ma lahu min al-Manaqib al-Ajaib
- Author died
- 776 AH
- Editions
- (Without)
Khasais Sayyid al-Alamin wa ma lahu min al-Manaqib al-Ajaib (The Exclusive Characteristics of the Master of the Worlds and His Marvellous Virtues) is a treatise on the virtues, miracles, and exclusive distinctions (khasais) of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by the Hanbali scholar Jamal al-Din al-Sarmari (696–776 AH / 1297–1374 CE) .
Title and Attribution
The full title recorded on the manuscript copy in the Zahiriyya Library in Damascus is Khasais Sayyid al-Alamin wa ma lahu min al-Manaqib al-Ajaib ala Jami al-Anbiya (alayhim al-salam) . In modern bibliographical works, it has also been cited in abridged form as Khasais Sayyid al-Alamin . Other manuscripts preserve variant titles: the copy in the Central Library of Astan-i Quds-i Razavi in Mashhad bears the title al-Khasais wa-l-mafakhir, while the Berlin manuscript records it as al-Khasais wa-l-mafakhir li-marifat al-awail wa-l-awakhir .
The book's attribution to al-Sarmari is corroborated by audition records (samaat) and an authorization (ijaza) preserved at the end of the primary manuscript, verified in his own handwriting where he signed himself as "Yusuf al-Sarmari, the author" . The text also includes his direct transmission from his teacher Ibn al-Khabbaz (667–756 AH) . Later scholars cited the work under his name, including Ibn Hajar al-Haytami in al-Minah al-makkiyya, where he referred to him as the Hanbali hafiz al-Sarmari, student of Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya .
Subject and Scope
Al-Sarmari defined the central premise of the work as demonstrating that no previous prophet was granted a miracle or virtue except that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ received something of the same category that was either equal to it or more complete, alongside those specific qualities in which he was uniquely distinguished . Unlike general works dedicated solely to prophetic biography (sira), evidences of prophethood (dalail), or legal exemptions, al-Sarmari structured this independent work around a systematic comparison between the miracles granted to earlier prophets and the superior endowments given to Muhammad ﷺ .
Structure and Contents
The treatise is organized into thematic sections:
- An opening introduction on the virtue and preeminence of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ .
- An introductory chapter defining the scope and subject matter of the book .
- A comparative chapter contrasting what was bestowed upon the first of the resolute messengers, Nuh (Noah), with what was given to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, establishing the aspects of the latter's superiority .
- Detailed sections on particular events, including an extensive treatment of his unique distinctions during the Night Journey (al-Isra) .
- A chapter devoted to the Prophet's superiority over other creation in terms of divine reward (al-ajr) .
- A concluding chapter summarizing the topics addressed across the treatise .
Method and Sources
Al-Sarmari's methodology relies primarily on textual evidence from the Quran, the prophetic Sunnah, and narrations from the Companions . He adopts an analytical and dialectical style, frequently engaging with anticipated objections and providing systematic answers ("if it is said... the reply is...") . In quoting his predecessors, he consistently names his sources and authors , drawing upon works such as Ibn Sab's Shifa al-suwul, Ibn al-Jawzi's Uyun al-hikayat, Ibn Abd al-Barr's al-Istiab, and Abu Bakr al-Ajurri's Kitab al-Shariah .
Regarding weak narrations, al-Sarmari stated at the conclusion of his text that primary reliance rests upon what is soundly established from scriptural texts, and that weak reports are cited solely for secondary benefit, such as clarifying meaning or providing corroborating testimonies (shawahid) . Despite this stated guideline, critics have noted that the work occasionally includes issues founded on fabricated narrations, such as reports concerning the generation of light from his sweat, his face being robed in the light of the Throne, or his lack of a shadow, though such instances remain limited within the broader scope of the book .
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