The Evolutionary Stages of Sīrah Writing in the Context of Maghāzī Writing: Historical and Research Study

Abstract

The essence of Khātam al Nabiyyīn is both, a source of growth and guidance for the believers and a center of love and affection. The religious, cultural, political, economic, social system and code of conduct of the Muslims is based on Sirah. An important part of the Prophet's life consists of expeditions involving many economic, political and defense issues. In this article, a glimpse of the writings of Al Maghāzī is being presented with a historical overview. The article presents an analysis of the history of Maghāzī, describing its importance, besides giving writings, services of historians and biography of Sīrah writers of every period of Islamic History, particularly in the early centuries, in academic, historical, and research-based style making prominent. The paper provides a list of books and their authors date-wise and concludes that the compiling the books of Maghāzī started in the time of the Ṣahābah, however, most of the books and manuscripts of the early period were not preserved.