Importance of Studying the Sirah 

Transcript of the Khatira delivered by Dr. Munawar Haque on Jan 18, 2014

الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد المرسلين وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين

Brothers and sisters, Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh, I intend to share some thoughts with you on the importance of studying the sirah of the noblest and the greatest of all souls, ever to be born; the most influential human being to set foot on earth till the end of times—our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW). We are passing through the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal. It is the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar.  Both, the birth and the death of Muhammad (SAW) are supposed to have taken place during this month, and both are said to fall on the 12^th of Rabi’ al-Awwal.

 What is sirah? It refers to the study of the life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and all that is related to him. This would include knowledge of events that preceded his birth, his interactions and dealings with his companions, his family, people around him including the believers, the disbelievers, the hypocrites, and the People of the Book. Sirah also covers events that occurred shortly after his death, and goes a little further in time.

Why is studying the sirah important? Actually, there are several good reasons why we should study the sirah. The first and foremost reason is to understand the Qur’an. We know that Allah Himself has preserved and protected the Qur’an for all times to come, for He says,

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ 

“It is We Who have sent down the Reminder and We Who will preserve it.” (al-Hijr, 15:9)

Preservation of the Qur'an is not only restricted to protecting its words from change. If that was the case, its meanings could be manipulated according to human desires, while its words remained intact. However, Allah (SWT) also protected the Qur'an's essential meanings from change by entrusting the explanation and the interpretation of the meanings of the Qur'an to the Prophet (SAW). In this respect, Allah (SWT) says,

وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

“And We have sent down the Reminder to you so that you can make clear to mankind what has been sent down to them so that hopefully they will reflect.” (al-Nahl, 16:44)

To understand the meanings of rulings and commandments in the Qur'an, we have to consider what the Prophet (SAW) said or did regarding them. For example, in the Qur'an, Allah commands the believers to offer salah, to pay zakah, to observe sawm, and to perform Hajj. However, in order to obey these instructions correctly, one must study the methodology of the Prophet in this regard. Among his many clarifications concerning salah, Allah's Messenger instructed his followers saying, wa sallu kama raitumuni usalli. "And pray as you have seen me praying." Likewise he gave specific instructions regarding zakah, siyam, the rites and rituals of Hajj, and many other rulings in the Qur’an pertaining to the daily lives of believers. So, the Prophet's sayings and actions recorded in the collection of hadith were primarily based on revelation from Allah (SWT) and are considered a fundamental source of guidance in Islam. Concerning this aspect of Prophet (SAW), Allah (SWT) says in Surat an-Najm:

وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَى  إِنْ هُوَ إِلاَّ وَحْيٌ يُوحَى

“He does not speak from his own desire. It is nothing but Revelation revealed.” (al-Najm,53:3-4)

And the Prophet (SAW) reiterated this point in one of his recorded statements which said, “Indeed, I was given the Qur’an and something similar to it along with it.” He was referring to his divinely guided sayings and actions.   

Another reason for studying the sirah is that it helps us to follow the example of the Prophet’s exemplary character: Because the Prophet (SAW) was guided by revelation in his personal life, his character and social interactions became prime examples of moral conduct for Muslims until the Last Day. Exhorting believers to follow the Prophet’s example, Allah says in Surat al-Ahzab,

لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الآَخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا

“The Messenger of Allah is an excellent model for those of you who put your hope in Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah very often.” (al-Ahzab, 33:21)

 Consequently, the daily life of the Prophet as recorded in Hadith represents an ideal code of good conduct. In fact, when the Prophet's wife `A'ishah (RA) was asked about his conduct, she replied, Kaana khuluquhul Qur’an "His character was the Qur'an." He followed the Qur’an very meticulously and lived the Qur’an at every moment; in every detail of his life. His life was the reflection of Allah’s Words. He became the Qur’an in person—the embodiment of the Qur’an. Addressing His beloved Prophet, Allah says in Surat al-Qalam:

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ

“And you are surely on an exalted standard of character.” (al-Qalam, 68:4)

The uniqueness of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is that he was not only a great person in his own time, but he is great for all times, for all people of any race, color, nationality or geographical location. His example was good for the 7th-century Arabs and it is good also for the humanity living now at the beginning of this 21st century. He is an excellent example for the rich and poor, for young and old, for rulers and ruled, for the most intelligent as well as the most common people. Allah sent him as His Prophet for all humanity.

Study of the sirah also helps to develop the love of Prophet (SAW) in our hearts. Loving the Prophet (SAW) is ‘ibadah—a part of iman. In a well-known hadith, the Prophet (SAW) said, “None of you will attain true faith until you love me more than your parents, your children and the whole world.” What does it mean? It means that you are willing to give up your desires to follow the example; to follow the way of the Prophet (SAW), which means preferring him over everyone and everything else. In fact, ayah 31 of Surat Aal 'Imran makes following the Prophet (SAW) a condition for loving Allah (SWT).  

قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

“Say, If you love God, follow me, and God will love you and forgive you your sins; God is most forgiving, most merciful.” (Aal ‘Imran 3:31)

Another good reason for studying the sirah is that it helps us to appreciate the sacrifices, the Prophet (SAW) made for his ummah. Whenever we go through rough and tough times, and adverse circumstances, we find comfort and consolation in the sirah, because the Prophet (SAW) went through the hardest of times, and still stood firm and maintained his calm and composure. He started the message of Islam in Arabia at a time when human rights had no meaning, might was right and the society was entrenched in paganism. In this environment Prophet Muhammad (SAW) taught a message of justice, peace, human rights, animal rights and even environmental rights as ordained by God, the One True Creator of all that is in the universe.

God has shown us in the character of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) the model of a companionate person. He treated every one, friends and foe, man and woman, young and old, with kindness and respect. Referring to the Prophet’s universal all-embracing mercy, Allah (SWT) says in Surat al-.Anbiya, 

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ

“And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.” (al-Anbiya, 21:107)

Last but not least, study of the sirah also helps in developing a Muslim identity. We see all around that there is a huge identity crisis. Perhaps, there will be many who will most likely know the names of celebrities and not know the names of the prominent companions of the Prophet (SAW). One way to overcome this identity crisis is to study the history of Islam, which chiefly is the life history of the Prophet, his companions, and the righteous predecessors.

I strongly recommend that you study the noble sirah of the Prophet (SAW). There is a huge collection of works on sirah ranging from the earliest classical works from the first century of the hijrah (i.e., the 7^th and early 8^th century) to present times.

May Allah (SWT) give us the tawfiq to study the sirah. In sha Allah, this will motivate us to follow the example of our beloved Prophet (SAW).  

أَقُولُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ وَلِسَائِرِ المُسْلِمينَ وَالمُسْلِمَاتْ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهْ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ 

وَصَلَّ اللهُ عَلَى خيرِ خَلقِهِ مُحمَّدٍ وعَلَى آلِه وأصْحَابِه أجْمَعِين- بِرَحْمَتِكَ يا أرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِين

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