Sirat-un-Nabi


Sirat-un-Nabi is a seven-volume Urdu biography of the Prophet Muhammad written by Shibli Nomani and completed by his student Sulaiman Nadvi. Considered Nomani's final and most important work, it presents the Prophet's life from a philosophical and analytical perspective, which led to some criticism from traditional scholars. Nomani began the project in 1903 and formally established an office in Lucknow in 1912 to complete it, with Nadvi assisting by collecting material from Arabic sources. Nomani finished only two volumes before his death in 1914, after which Nadvi published those and wrote the remaining five volumes in his teacher's style.

First two volumes

The first two volumes of Sirat-un-Nabi were written by Shibli. The first volume, released in August 1918, contains 622 pages and focuses on the Prophet Muhammad's life from his birth up to twenty years before his prophethood. The second volume, published in 1920 with necessary revisions by Nadvi, consists of 439 pages and covers the final three years of the Prophet's life. It discusses major events such as the establishment of Islamic governance, the spread of Islam in Arabia, the completion of Islamic law, the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet's death, his personal characteristics, daily practices, moral conduct, and family life.

Last five volumes

After the death of Shibli, Sulaiman Nadvi completed the remaining five volumes of Sirat-un-Nabi, giving the work its final form.
The third volume deals with the miracles of the Prophet Muhammad and the evidences of his prophethood. It explains the difference between miracles and magic, using references from the Qur’an, authentic hadiths, and classical scholars. Nadvi concludes that the Qur’an is the Prophet's greatest and everlasting miracle.
The fourth volume discusses the nature and significance of prophethood, including its necessity, characteristics, revelation, and divine knowledge. It also examines core Islamic beliefs such as faith in God, angels, prophets, holy books, the afterlife, and divine decree.
The fifth volume focuses on Islamic worship, describing the purpose and types of worship, including prayer, fasting, zakat, pilgrimage, and jihad. It also highlights moral and spiritual virtues such as sincerity, piety, and patience.
The sixth volume covers Islamic ethics and moral conduct. It presents the Prophet Muhammad as the model of character and discusses good and bad morals, personal duties, and social behavior.
The seventh volume remained unfinished. It was intended to discuss Islamic law, governance, and social principles under the section Mu‘amalat. The published part includes an introduction and five chapters on Islamic political principles, governance during the Prophet's time, and the concept of divine authority.