Getting to Know the Messenger -- salla Allahu 'alayhi wa salam

On this blessed twelfth day of Rabi`a al-Awwal, we should all take some time to increase our knowledge of the life, example and teachings of the Prophet of Mercy -- salla Allahu 'alayhi wa salam. This isn't something that should be limited to just today, but we should put a plan into place to increase our knowledge of the Prophetic biography (sîrah) by either attending classes, reading books or listening to audio lectures.

In stark contrast to when I embraced Islam thirteen years ago, today we are blessed with a wealth of material in English that can assist us in this pursuit. In my opinion, Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources, by Martin Lings, remains the best biography of the Prophet -- salla Allahu 'alayhi wa salam -- in the English language, in spite of some seemingly minor flaws due to its perennialist outlook. Sidi Hamza Yusuf Hanson has done a set of lectures based on this book, which can be purchased as a 24-tape series entitled The Life of the Prophet Muhammad -- salla Allahu 'alayhi was salam -- which is extremely worthwhile and highly recommended. A helpful summary of each lecture in this course can be found here [408K Adobe Acrobat .pdf file].

Another worthwhile book is Aisha Bewley's translation of Qadi 'Iyad's Kitab ash-Shifa bi Ta'rif Huquq al-Mustafa (Book of Healing by the Recognition of the Rights of the Chosen One), probably the most beloved book of Prophetic biography in the Muslm World, where it is simply known as ash-Shifa. While this work by the renowed scholar Qadi 'Iyad Ibn Musa al-Yahsubi al-Maliki (died 544 AH) discusses the life of the Prophet Muhammad -- salla Allahu 'alayhi wa salam -- in great detail, it is not a typical chronological biography. Rather it is organized by subject (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) in order to provide a great amount of details on the Prophet -- salla Allahu 'alayhi wa salam, including his various qualities, his appearance, his miracles, his exalted position, his protection from error and other aspects such as the necessity of loving him and the benefits of asking for blessings upon him -- salla Allahu 'alayhi wa salam. It's also very useful because it discusses various issues about the Prophet -- salla Allahu 'alayhi wa salam -- and thus clarifies what a Muslim should believe about him. In this age where many rationalist Muslim sects downplay the importance and status of the Prophet -- salla Allahu 'alayhi wa salam, this book is indispensable.

While not really a book of sîrah as such, And Muhammad Is His Messenger, by the late Dr. Annemarie Schimmel, is a worthwhile and interesting study on the status of the Prophet -- salla Allahu 'alayhi wa salam -- in Islamic society. It discusses and analyzes his unique status in Islam, his role as intercessor and his place in not only popular piety but in the Islamic mystical tradition as well. There's even a chapter dedicated to poetry written in honor of the Prophet -- salla Allahu 'alayhi wa salam.

Last, but not least, the audio series (CD - Cassette) entitled The Life of the Last Prophet, by Yusuf Islam, is a worthwhile addition to every English-speaking Muslim's library -- and there's an accompanying book that comes with it as well.

I pray that Almighty God gives everyone tawfîq in this endeavor...Amîn.