Critical Principles in Prophetic Biography: A Study of Sayyid Jafar Murtaza Amili’s Methodology in Seerah Writing

ڈاکٹر حافظ محمد سجاد
ایسوسی ایٹ پروفیسر، شعبہ مطالعات بین المذاہب ہم آہنگی،کلیہ عربی و علوم اسلامیہ، علامہ اقبال اوپن یونیورسٹی، اسلام آباد
محمد شریف
پی ایچ ڈی سکالر، شعبہ سیرت سٹیڈیز، کلیہ عربی و علوم اسلامیہ، علامہ اقبال اوپن یونیورسٹی، اسلام آباد

Abstract
Research on historical or biographical subjects requires not only thorough investigation but also balanced critique. True critique involves highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of a work with fairness, making it an essential aspect of high-quality research. This paper focuses on the discipline of biographical writing, with particular emphasis on the Seerah (biography) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It underscores the importance of critically evaluating narrations (akhbār) found in primary Seerah sources, advocating for a just and principled approach. Central to this study is the work of renowned modern biographer Sayyid Jaʿfar Murtadā ʿĀmili, whose book Al-Ṣaḥīḥ Min Sīrat al-Nabī al-Aʿẓam serves as a model of insightful critique. The paper explores his methodology through the lens of established principles of critique—specifically, external critique (نقد خارجی), internal critique (نقد داخلی), affirmative critique (نقد ایجابی), and negative critique (نقد سلبی). By examining his analysis of various Seerah narrations, the study illustrates how these principles are applied in practice. Sayyid Jaʿfar’s approach offers valuable insights for researchers aiming to balance historical authenticity with analytical rigor in biographical studies.
Keywords: Seerah, History, Principles of Critique, Critique Methodology, Sayyid Ja’far Murtadā ‘Āmili, Research, Al-Ṣaḥīḥ Min Sīrat al-Nabī al-A’ẓam
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