Linguistically, seerah means a path one takes from one place to another. The dictionary meaning includes conduct, comportment, demeanor, behavior, attitude, way of life, position, reaction, way of action and biography.

Seerah can be the biography of any person, however it is now more associated with Prophet Muhammed (SAW). There is no problem in saying “Seerah of Abu Bakr” or “Seerah of Umar”. Basically it talks the life of a person.

What is the importance of studying Seerah?

The life of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) is the history of Islam.

There are many situations on the life of the Prophet Muhammed (SAW) that would help in our da’wah. Its just not a biography; it’s the history of Islam.

Muhammed bin Waqas (R), a sahabah who is promised with the glad tidings of Paradise, one said, “Our father would teach the seerad of Rasoolullah (SAW) and he would tell us these are the traditions of your father, so study them.”

Ali bin Hussain bin Ali bin Abi Talib, the grandson of Ali bin Abi Talib, would say, “We were taught the seerah like we were taught Quran” The Sahabah would study like they would study Holy Qur’an.

We learn about Musa (Moses) (A), Isa (Jesus) (A), and all other Prophets of Allah from the Quran. However, holy Qur’an does not give complete picture of the life of Rasoolullah (SAW). For that we have to depend on Seerah.

Develop the proper love of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) in our hearts

Loving Prophet Muhammed (SAW) is ibadah. “One of you does not attain true faith till you love me more than your parents, children and the whole world”, taught Prophet Muhammed (SAW).

Omar bin Khathab (R), one came to the Prophet and said, “Oh Rasoolullah, I love you more than everything except myself.” Omar (R), is very frank to Rasoolullah and he does not hide anything from him. Rasoolullah replied, “until you love me”. Omar (R), came back and said, “now I love you more than myself”. Rasoolullah said, “Now you have attained complete faith”.

The Ummah of Rasoolullah (SAW) loves him a lot, however it is not deep unless one learn the person. The Sahabah loved him more the more they know him.

Amr bin Anas was one of the staunchest enemies of Rasoolullah (SAW). He was the top plotters against Islam. However, he later became a Muslim and when he was passing away, he started weeping in his death bed. His son Abdullah bin Umar told him, “didn’t Rasoolullah give you the Glad Tidings?”

Amr bin Anas turned around and replied, “I have been through three stages in life. At first stage, the most despised man was Rassoolullah (SAW) and my desire was to get hold of him and kill him. If I die at that time, I would definitely be in hell fire. Then Allah put the love of Islam in my heart. I went to Muhammed and said, “Oh Muhammed, I want to be a Muslim. Extend your hand so that I can pledge allegiance to you” Muhammed (SAW) extended his hand, but I pulled mine away. Rasoolullah (SAW) asked, “What’s wrong?” “I have a condition”, I replied. “What is your condition?” “My condition is that you pardon me” “Oh Amr, don’t you know that Islam erases everything before it, Hijrah erases everything before it, Hajj erases everything before it” So I became a Muslim. At that stage Muhammed (SAW) who was my worst enemy became the most beloved person in the world. I loved and respected him so much that I could not even get a full glimpse of his face. Whenever I would see him, I would stare downwards. If you ask him to describe him to you, I couldn’t. If I died in that stage I would hope to be in Jannah.”

Suhail bin Amr was an international negotiator. He has been to courts of the Persion Emperor, Roman Emperor, Emperor of Abyssinia – a well connected man. He once returned from Madina with first hand experience of how the Sahabah (R) treated Muhammed (SAW).  Suhail says, “I visited the Roman Emperor, I visited the Persion Emperor, I visited the Najashi of Abyssinia; but I have never in my life seen a leader that is so loved and respected by his followers like that of Muhammed. I have seen nothing like it in the world. I saw amazing things. Muhammed would have just made wudhu and the Sahabah would rush to grab the water dripping from his body. So do whatever you want, these are people who would never give up their religion.”

We know the name of Prophet Muhammed is the most common in the world and the most frequently named. Around the clock, a Muazzin calls out his name in the azaan. His name fulfills the meaning – the praised one.

Allah says, “Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqun (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah)”. (At-Taubah, Chapter #9, Verse #24)

To follow the way of Muhammed (SAW)

Ibn Hazm says, “ whoever seeks the preeminence of the hereafter, the wisdom of his life, the just purpose and embodiment of morality and character, let him follow Muhammed (SAW), the prophet of Allah (SWT)”

Understanding Qur’an

There are some ayaahs in the Holy Qur’an that is independent of the revelation, like for example the ayath of akhira. However, there are others that would deal with events happenings in the life of Prophet Muhammed (SAW). Some ayaahs revealed prior to an event, some concurrent to an events while others revealed after the event.

Seerah would give explanation of these ayaahs. In Surah Ahsab, many ayaahs are dealing with the battle of Ahsab. In Surak Al Imran, a major part relates to dialogues between Christians and Muslims based on the delegation that came from Najran to visit Rasoolullah (SAW). The later part of the same chapter deals with battle of Uhud. Details of these ayaahs are available in the Seerah.

Seerah illustrates the methodological steps for an Islamic movement

Rasoolullah (SAW) went through many stages, starting with secret da’wah which later on became public. These stages are important for an Islamic movement to learn and study.

Mileel Ghardan says, “And we believe that this methodological progression of the Prophet’s life is divinely directed, for Allah has guided His Prophets, and all of his steps were not a result of a reaction to emerging circumstances”

Rasheed Ridha says, “Were it not for the education and training, verbal direction would not suffice. For the Seerah taught them how to be guided by the Qur’an and trained them to be just and moderate in all maters”. Holy Qur’an is the verbal teaching and the training is the Seerah. Only Muslims have their Seerah; followers of other Messengers of Allah have lost their Seerah.

There is an ayah in Qur’an that says you can continue eating and drinking in Ramadan until the white string is distinguished from the black string. One of the Sahabas took this literally. He had a string under his pillow and would continue eating. Once in a while he would uncover the string to see if he could distinguish the string or not. He approached to Rasoolullah with what he did. Rasoolullah laughed and said, “It doesn’t mean that you take a string in your room and take a look at it. It means the white string which is the first emergence of light in the horizon”

Studying Seerah is Ibadah

We are not learning Seerah just to entertain ourselves. It’s an ibadah by itself and there is reward for doing it. We are rewarded for being part of any effort in understanding it. Learning the Seerah of Rasoolullah is a dhikr by itself and we are worshipping Allah (SWT) by doing it. Any gathering that discusses the Seerah is expected to be surrounded by Angels in which Allah (SWT) will shower His Mercy and tranquility.

Allah says, “Say (O Muhammad (SAW) to mankind): "If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."”
(Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #31)

Developing a Muslim identity

Muslims around the world is suffering from a serious identity crisis. You would see a brother or a sister practicing Islam, but without preserving the Muslim identity. The person would have more in common with movie stars, rock stars, pop stars or soccer players than they would have with the companion of Rasoolullah (SAW). Our youth know more of the pop stars than the Sahabah; sometimes more than of the Messengers. Not many of our youth would the name of Sahabah or Anbiya.

The way we can counter this crisis is to have a strong study of Islamic history which is made up of Prophets of Allah (SWT), Life of Muhammed (SAW), Life of Sahabah (R), and learning the Muslim history after that. History is our umbilical cord.

Another way to counter such crisis is to be part of the worldwide Muslim Ummah. Our local identity should not override our Muslim identity. So my identity with a country should not over ride my Islamic identity. They need to coexist and supplement each other. We need to learn what is happening to Muslim all over the world and be concerned about it.

The life of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) is a testimony of his Prophethood

The greatest miracle of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) is the Holy Qur’an. There is no doubt about it. One of the other miracles is his life; just studying it by itself is an evidence of his Prophethood - Here you have a man who led a normal life for forty years. His morality and character is well known. He never showed his aspiration to power or influence. Then suddenly after the age of forty, he brings the greatest change the world has ever seen.

Rasoolullah (SAW) was an illiterate who cannot read or write; and then he brings the greatest book that is ever produced. There is no way to study Seerah than to admit he is a nabi from Allah (SWT). It is impossible for a person to achieve what the Prophet achieved without the help of Allah (SWT).

He becomes a political leader, military leader, religious leader, head of large household, lawmaker, teacher, Imam, etc. All done in the next 23 years. That’s a miracle. Studying the Seerah is like studying the life of the greatest of human being.

Muhammed (SAW) is the greatest man that lived on earth

He would come out against any benchmark for greatness. Michael H. Hart in his book - The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History – put Muhammed (SAW) at the top of the list. In the introduction of the book, he feels compelled to respond to what the readers of the book would think. Take any single aspect of his life, Prophet Muhammed (SAW) would still be the greatest.

So, insha Allah, lets study the life of Al Musthafa, the chosen.

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