In essence, the fundamental sources in the Sīrat of the Holy Prophetsa and early Islāmic history are as follows:
The Holy Qur’ān
Quoted Books of Exegesis
Books of Ḥadīth
Books of Sīrat, History and Maghāzī1
The mutual degree in the rank of these items is expressed in the order by which they appear above. In other words, the most sound and indisputable source, whereby no room for doubt exists, is the Holy Qur’ān, which was gradually revealed to the Holy Prophetsa and was committed to writing along the way, during the span of his 23-year prophethood. It is this very ‘Master Key’ by which, incontrovertibly, every intricate entanglement in Sīrat and Islāmic history can be unravelled. The second class is of Ḥadīth, in which the Muḥaddithīn have worked with great prudence and vigilance, yet this category cannot be deemed as conclusive as the Holy Qur’ān, and various weak narrations have found way into this collection. The third class is of exegetical narrations which have relayed in commentary and elaboration of the Holy Qur’ān, however a portion of weak narrations have also found way of inclusion. The fourth class is the books of Sīrat and early history, which are, historically, the true foundation of the life of the Holy Prophetsa. Unfortunately, it is this very collection which possesses weaker and feeble narrations. For this very reason, in the cross examination and reconciliation of the narrations of Sīrat and history, it is incumbent upon every author of the biography of the Holy Prophetsa to firmly hold fast to the luminescent candle of the Holy Qur’ān and Ḥadīth. Otherwise, an authentic illustration of the Sīrat and biography of the Holy Prophetsa can never be prepared. After the establishment of this principle foundation, I now turn towards my actual topic.
وَمَا تَوْفِیْقُنَا اِلَّا بِاللّٰهِ وَنَرْجُوْ مِنْهُ خَیْراً 2
1 In various fields of science and art, to ascertain the details of various written works and the affairs of their Islāmic writers, there are two very beneficial and valuable books: firstly, Kitābul-Fahrist written by Ibni Muzīm; secondly, Kashfuẓ-Ẓunnūn ‘an Usāmil-Kutub wal-Funūn written by ‘Allāmah Mullah Kātib Chalpi. These books provide the details of many Islāmic written works and their authors irrespective of the field in which they have been authored or whether they have been preserved or not. Another authentic book is Wafiyyātul-A‘ayān written by Qāḍī Aḥmad bin Muḥammad bin Ibrāhim Ibni Khalkān, which contains brief details of all the renowned scholars of Islām in chronological sequence. (Author)
2 We have no power save that which God has endowed us with and we seek all good from Him alone. (Publishers)