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SIRAT IBN HISHAM – Biography of the Prophet

تهذيب سيرة ابن هشام

Abridged by: ‘Abdus-Salam M. Hârûn

SIRAT IBN HISHAM

Introduction

History and Biography

The history of the Pre-Islamic Arabs was known only by means of narration. Arabic history even before the advent of Islam reflected the nature of their lifestyle. It showed their pride in their fathers and forefathers. heroism. generosity, loyalty, stories of ancestry, and alliances.

There were also narratives about the history of the Ka bah, the emergence of the well of Zamzam, the news of the tribe of Jurhum and leaders of Quraysh, and the Ma’rib Dam whose collapse caused people to disperse in the land. There were also stories of diviners and their citations. Thus, history portrayed their socio-political and religious aspects of life. Islam appeared at a time when people were accustomed to reporting all these stories and events.

With the beginning of the Message, preceded by portents of prophethood, the early life, and upbringing of the Prophet (PBUH), the Revelation and relevant events and attitudes of the Prophet’s Companions and enemies, the Prophet’s behavior and relations with Muslims, disbelievers, Christians, and Jews there emerged a prolific and broad subject matter of information and tidings which were also circulated through narration. Moreover, the Qur’an, the hadith, and the words of Companions constituted a rich record of that new life.

While the Qur’an was being written down, the hadith remained a trusted series of narration. In general no one had the courage to think of writing the hadith as a response to the Prophet’s saying, “Do not quote me by writing, for anything except the Qur’an, and whoever has quoted me by writing) for anything other than the Qur’an should omit it.

The wisdom behind this was obvious: it aimed at avoiding confusion between the Revelation and the Prophet’s words during the time of Revelation. Undoubtedly, it was a temporary matter lasting until the whole Qur’an had been revealed