Preface - Volume I

The first volume of the biography of the Holy Prophetsa based on the Makkan era has been appearing in the Urdu Edition of the periodical Review of Religions (Qadian) under the title “Our Master”, since the beginning of the year 1919. It is now being presented to readers in the form of a book, following a second review. In this work, I have not confined myself to the life of the Holy Prophetsa alone, rather, wherever appropriate, I have endeavoured to shed light on the general history of that era, as well as on the lives of the noble companions of the Holy Prophetsa (may Allāh be pleased with them). As such, with respect to its subject matter, in actuality, the name of this book should be “The History of Islām – Volume 1”.

It is my intention, and may Allāh enable me, to divide the biography of the Holy Prophetsa into three parts.

The first volume to encompass various early issues, Arabian geography, the division of Arabian tribes at the time of the call to prophethood, and their religious, social and political state of affairs. Also, the history of the Ka‘bah and Makkah; the history of the Quraish; the condition of the tribe of the Holy Prophetsa, his birth and life history until prophethood; his claim to prophethood, the preaching of Islām, and life after prophethood up to migration. This is the volume which after appropriate adjustments, and amendments, is now being presented to Readers.

The second volume, which is currently being written, shall comprise the life of the Holy Prophetsa in Madīnah and the Islāmic history of that era.

The third volume (God-willing) shall relate to the disposition of the Holy Prophetsa – may Allāh enable me.

By writing this book, my purpose is to educate the Muslim youth, who generally are completely uninformed of the life of the Holy Prophetsa and the early history of Islam. It is to introduce them to the true state of affairs in a concise; easy to understand, simple, yet interesting manner. Moreover, so that this work may become a means of reward for me in the hereafter, if Allāh wills.

It is a very difficult sight indeed, to see that our youngsters are knowledgeable in the lives of the rulers, generals and intellectuals of other nations and religions, and read their biographies, but are overwhelmingly uneducated in the life of their Master and Leader, the Holy Prophetsa. There are many reasons for this, but a key reason is that until this time, no such biography of the Holy Prophetsa has been authored in the Urdu language, as may draw in the minds of this era.

The work of Maulānā Shiblī, various portions of which are yet to be published, are an exception to this remark, but due to various reasons, even it cannot be deemed beneficial for the general Islāmic public. In any case, my disposition sensed an insufficiency in Urdu literature, which I have endeavoured to fulfill in as much as possible. If I have succeeded in this endeavour, then it is my good fortune, but if I have failed, then it is my supplication, that may God inspire this weak and incomplete effort of mine into such a good heart, as may complete this shortcoming.

In the preparation of this book, I have not fully relied on any one source. Particularly, I have not accepted any work of the contemporaries without my own indepth research. Among the early scholars, historically, for the life of the Holy Prophetsa, only four books have been deemed an actual source: First and foremost, Sīrat Ibni Hishām, which is a derivation of Sīrat Ibni Isḥāq, secondly, Ṭabaqāt Ibnī Sa‘d, thirdly, Ṭabarī, and fourthly, Wāqidī. In as much as possible, I have thoroughly studied them and benefitted from them. In the analysis of all the narrations recorded in these books, and for the purpose of research, I have always kept the Holy Qur’ān and books of Aḥādīth (particularily the Ṣiḥāḥ Sittah3) in special consideration. From the books of latter scholars, I have especially benefitted from Zarqānī, Sharḥu Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, Tārīkhul-Kāmil Ibni Athīr, Usdul-Ghābbah, Iṣābah fī Ma‘rifatiṣ-Ṣaḥābah and Sīratun-Nabīsa written by Maulānā Shiblī. In order to keep the allegations of Europe and their writing style in consideration, I have studied “The Life of Mahomet(sa)” written by Sir William Muir and “Muḥammad(sa)” by Professor Margolius as well as various other books. For insight into Arabian geography I have found Mu‘jamul-Buldān to be a helpful and reliable companion. In their comprehensiveness I have found no match to Tārikhul-Khamīs and Sīratul-Ḥalbiyyah, but alas, they are empty of any real research.

In short, as per my capacity, I have conducted my work through full research and scrutiny, however:

اَلْٳِنْسَانُ مُرَكَّبٌ مِّنَ الْخَطَاءٍ وَالنِّسْیَانِ فَارْجُوْ مِمَّنْ طَالَعَ كِتَابِیْ ھٰذَا أَنْ یُّسَامِحَنِیْ ٳِذَا وَقَفَ عَلیٰ خَطَاءٍ اَوْ سَھْوٍ فِیْهِ وَ یَدْعُوْا اللّٰهَ أَنْ یَّھْدِیَنِیْ ٳِلیٰ الصِّرَاطِ الْمُسْتَقِیْمِ فَٳِنَّهُ لَا مُضِلٌّ لِمَنْ ھَدَاہُ وَلَا ھَادِیَ لِمَنْ أَضِلَّهُ بِیَدِہِ الْخَیْرُ كُلُّهُ وَھُو الْمُسْتَعَانُ۔4

I offer a gesture of heart-felt gratitude to all those dear friends through whom I may have received any kind of assistance in the preparation of this book. Namely, my honourable professor, Ḥaḍrat Maulawī Sher ‘Alī Ṣāḥib B.A. (the editor of The Review of Religions – Qadian), whose constructive criticism benefitted me tremendously. Moreover, my honourable Sir Maulawī Faḍl Dīn Ṣāḥib (Barrister, Qadian), who, in addition to reviewing the manuscripts, also assisted me significantly in the acquisition of references as required. Then, my honourable Master Aḥmad Ḥusain Ṣāḥib of Farīdabād (then Qādiān), who improved this work from a literary standpoint as necessary.

This humble one,

Mirzā Bashīr Aḥmad

14th of Shawwāl, 1338 Hijrī (1st of July 1920)

1 In the name of Allāh, the Gracious, the Merciful (Publishers)

2 We praise Allāh and invoke blessings upon His Noble Messenger (Publishers)

3 Six Most Authentic Books of Ḥadīth (Publishers)

4 Man is one to commit mistakes and is negligent. I request he who studies this book of mine, that if he comes across a mistake or omission herein, he is generous enough to pray to Allāh, that He may guide me unto the right path. Indeed, there is no misguidance for the one whom He guides, and there is no guidance for the one whom He lets go astray. All good is by His hand, and He is the Helper. (Publishers)