An Analytical Study of the Narrative Approach to the Biography of the Prophet (PBUH): Features, Foundations, and Critical Assessment (Case Study: Tārīkh al-Nabī Ahmad and Ḥayāt al-Nabī wa Sīratuh)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Iran University of Art, Tehran, Iran.

10.22081/ihc.2025.72241.1085

Abstract

The narrative approach is one of the traditional methods of writing the biography (sira) of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that has long attracted scholarly attention. However, the concept, features, foundations, methodology, source analysis, and critical assessment of this approach have not yet been studied in depth. This research addresses these issues by asking: What is the narrative approach to the Prophet’s biography, what are its characteristics, and what potential weaknesses or shortcomings exist in this approach? To answer these questions, two narrative-based works—Tārīkh al-Nabī Ahmad by Sayyid Hassan Lavasani and Ḥayāt al-Nabī wa Sīratuh by Mohammad Qavam Vashnavi—were examined. The study shows that the narrative approach to writing the Prophet’s biography relies heavily on transmitted reports (ḥadiths) and follows a narrative discourse and style. This approach aims to present a depiction of history and the Prophet’s biography aligned with Shiʿi beliefs. It also emphasizes the role of Imam ʿAli (peace be upon him) in early Islamic history and highlights the shortcomings and errors of some companions. Nevertheless, the narrative approach has certain limitations and weaknesses, including a lack of contextualization of events, the blending of supra-historical (metahistorical) discussions with history, excessive focus on extraordinary phenomena, and insufficient critical analysis of the sources.
 
 

Keywords

Al-Tarikh Va Al-Hazarah Al-Islamiyah Royat al-Mu'asirah
Volume 6, Issue 1
March 2026
Pages 249-277

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 October 2024
  • Revise Date: 24 January 2025
  • Accept Date: 19 March 2025

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