Sharh al-Madaih al-Nabawiya

Sharh al-Madaih al-Nabawiya (Arabic: شرح المدائح النبوية, lit. 'Commentary on the Prophetic Panegyrics') is a transcribed series of lectures and scholarly commentary delivered by the contemporary Saudi preacher and scholar Salih al-Maghamisi, dedicated to elucidating major classical and modern Arabic poems composed in praise of the Prophet Muhammad Sharh al-Madaih al-Nabawi…+1.

Context and Purpose

The series was delivered under the auspices of the Global Program for Introducing the Prophet of Mercy (البرنامج العالمي للتعريف بنبي الرحمة ﷺ) as an educational effort to spread knowledge of the Prophet's virtues, biographical accounts, and Sunnah Sharh al-Madaih al-Nabawi…. Rather than treating the poems purely as literary artifacts or focusing on technical prosody and rhetoric, al-Maghamisi conceived the panegyrics as narrative vehicles to delve into the events of the prophetic biography (al-sīrah al-nabawiyya), encourage emulation of prophetic conduct, and foster deep veneration and love for the Prophet within sound Islamic boundaries Sharh al-Madaih al-Nabawi…+1.

Structure and Content

The work consists of multi-session commentaries on selected poems spanning different eras of Arabic literature:

• Pre-Islamic and Early Islamic Periods: Includes the dāliyya of al-A'sha, which he composed intending to recite before the Prophet upon embracing Islam before dying en route Sharh al-Madaih al-Nabawi…; and the dāliyya elegy of Hassan ibn Thabit lamenting the death of the Prophet and depicting the grief of the Companions Sharh al-Madaih al-Nabawi…+1.
• Medieval Period: Covers the mīmiyya (al-Burdah) of al-Busiri Sharh al-Madaih al-Nabawi…, as well as the rā'iyya composed by the Shafi'i jurist Ibn Daqiq al-'Id describing the Hijrah and early Islamic milestones Sharh al-Madaih al-Nabawi…+1.
• Modern and Contemporary Periods: Examines the nūniyya composed by the neoclassical poet Mahmoud Sami al-Barudi during his exile in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Sharh al-Madaih al-Nabawi…; three major odes by Ahmad Shawqi—his bā'iyya (Salū Qalbī), hamziyya (Wulida al-Hudā), and mīmiyya (Nahj al-Burdah) Sharh al-Madaih al-Nabawi…+1; and the contemporary mīmiyya by Dr. Nasser al-Zahrani chronicling the hardships, trials, and family losses experienced by the Prophet Sharh al-Madaih al-Nabawi…+1.

Method and Theological Commentary

Throughout the commentary, al-Maghamisi adopts a pedagogical style, selecting verses from each ode to elaborate on specific historical themes—such as the pre-prophetic portents (irhāsāt), the miracle of the Quran, the Prophet's physical and moral traits, and the tribulations of the early Muslim community Sharh al-Madaih al-Nabawi…+1. In addition to literary appreciation, he provides critical evaluations of creedal phrasing, noting where certain poets lacking formal theological grounding introduced doctrinally problematic expressions or unintended exaggerations in their praise Durus lil-Shaykh Salih al….