The Growing Importance of Studying the Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ in the Contemporary Era and Certain Individual and Collective Obligations
(In the Context of Blasphemy Against the Messenger ﷺ in India)
The blessed Seerah (biography) of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is a role model and an exemplar for all of humanity in general, and for Muslims in particular, as Allah the Almighty states:
{لَقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِىۡ رَسُوۡلِ اللّٰهِ اُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ} – (١)
Translation: "Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example."
As Muslims, it is obligatory and essential for us to know the blessed Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ, because all the rulings of Islamic Shariah are connected to the Prophet ﷺ. Even in the declaration of faith (Kalimah Shahadah), the importance of Prophethood (Risalah) is mentioned right after Monotheism (Tawheed), without the acknowledgment and affirmation of which no one can be considered a Muslim. Therefore, it is necessary for us to affirm this Prophethood, fulfill its rights, and meet its requirements. This means obeying the Prophet ﷺ in whatever he has commanded, affirming whatever news he has given, and abstaining from whatever he has forbidden or warned against, as stated in the Quran:
{وَمَاۤ اٰتٰٮكُمُ الرَّسُوۡلُ فَخُذُوْهُ وَمَا نَهٰٮكُمۡ عَنۡهُ فَانْتَهُوۡا} – (٢)
Translation: “And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you from, abstain (from it).”
Moreover, Allah should be worshipped only according to the method prescribed by him ﷺ. He must be loved, and his love must be prioritized over the love of all people, second only to the love of Allah. As stated in a Hadith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“None of you becomes a true believer until I am more beloved to him than his children, his father, and all of mankind.” – (٣)
This means loving him more than all people, and even more than one’s own self, and following and obeying him ﷺ in all matters. In the truest sense, a lover is one who obeys their beloved.
As the poet says:
لَو كانَ حبُّكَ صادقًا لأطعتهُ
إنَّ المُحبَّ لمنْ يحبُّ مُطيعُ
(If your love were true, you would have obeyed him; indeed, the lover is obedient to the one he loves.)
Therefore, true love guides towards obedience to the Messenger in belief, word, and deed. And obedience to the Messenger is, in reality, obedience to Allah, as Allah the Almighty has stated:
{مَّن یُطِعِ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَقَدۡ أَطَاعَ ٱللَّهَۖ} – (٤)
Translation: "He who obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah."
Consequently, the noble Prophet ﷺ whom we have been commanded to follow and obey, and who has been declared an exemplar for us—we cannot truly obey him nor adopt his example until we study his pure Seerah. The Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ consists of four stages (or aspects), which every Muslim must study:
- The Personal Seerah: First is the personal pure Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ, which includes the study of his entire life from birth to death as a biography and a source of lessons.
- The Shama’il (Attributes): Second is the Shama’il of the Prophet ﷺ, which involves the study of the physical and moral traits of the Prophet ﷺ.
- The Khasa’is (Exclusive Virtues): Third is the Khasa’is of the Prophet ﷺ, which entails studying those matters that are specific and exclusive to the blessed person of the Prophet ﷺ.
- The Dala’il (Miracles and Proofs): Fourth is the proofs and miracles of the Prophet ﷺ, which comprises the study of the verbal and practical miracles associated with him ﷺ. Reading and hearing these increases a Muslim’s faith and inclines a non-Muslim toward accepting Islam with a sincere heart.
All four aspects of the Prophet’s ﷺ Seerah are exemplary and blessed for us. By adopting his ways, we can achieve success in this world and the Hereafter.
Our honorable teacher and healer of hearts, Dr. Abdul Razzaq Al-Badr (May Allah protect him), says:
“There are countless benefits in studying the blessed Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ, and the importance of its study becomes evident through the following points:
- (1) Allah the Almighty has made the Prophet ﷺ a role model and leader for the entire Ummah, whether in matters of belief, worship, or morality. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says:
- {لَقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِىۡ رَسُوۡلِ اللّٰهِ اُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَنۡ كَانَ يَرۡجُوا اللّٰهَ وَالۡيَوۡمَ الۡاٰخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللّٰهَ كَثِيۡرًا} – (٥)
- Translation: “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often.”
- (2) The Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ and his methodology serve as a benchmark by which deeds are evaluated. The deeds that align with his method and Seerah will be accepted, and those that contradict his method and Seerah will be rejected.
- (3) Studying the Prophetic Seerah helps in understanding the Quran correctly, because his ﷺ life is the practical exegesis of the Quran. For instance, when Hazrat Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) was asked about his ﷺ character, she replied:
- “The character of the Prophet ﷺ was the Quran.” – (٦)
- (4) For a Muslim, the love for the Prophet ﷺ must hold the utmost importance. Studying the Prophetic Seerah increases love for him ﷺ.
- (5) The study of the Prophetic Seerah brings increase and firmness to one’s faith:
- {اَمۡ لَمۡ يَعۡرِفُوۡا رَسُوۡلَهُمۡ فَهُمۡ لَهٗ مُنۡكِرُوۡنَ} – (٧)
- Translation: “Or did they not know their Messenger, so they are denying him?”
- (6) The study of the Seerah is helpful in comprehending the religion comprehensively, which includes belief, worship, and morals. The entire life of the Prophet ﷺ was spent working for the religion, inviting toward it, sacrificing for it, and striving to spread the word of truth. He ﷺ began his call (Da’wah) with the message of faith and Monotheism (Tawheed), focusing solely on it for many years, after which the obligations and rulings were revealed gradually.
- (7) The Seerah teaches the correct method of calling towards Allah. Those who truly invite towards Allah are the ones who genuinely understand the life of the Prophet ﷺ, his methods, and his Seerah, as Allah says in the Quran:
- {قُلۡ هٰذِهٖ سَبِيۡلِىۡۤ اَدۡعُوۡۤا اِلَى اللّٰهِ ۚ عَلٰى بَصِيۡرَةٍ اَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِىۡؕ} – (٨)
- Translation: “Say, ‘This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me.'”
- (8) The Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ is in itself a sign of his Prophethood and truthfulness. His way of living, his Da’wah, his interactions with people, his guidance, and his character all bear witness to his truthfulness. His Seerah is replete with examples of goodness, bestowal, excellent character, manners, and generosity.
- (9) Studying the Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ is a great and blessed gateway among the doors to felicity and success; in fact, true felicity depends on knowing the path of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Ibn al-Qayyim (May Allah have mercy on him) says:
- “From this, you realize how much the servants of Allah are in need of knowing the Messenger, affirming what he brought, and obeying his commands. For there is no path to success and salvation in this world or the Hereafter except through the messengers, and a servant’s felicity in both realms depends entirely on following the Prophet ﷺ.” – (٩)
- (Here concludes the statement of the Sheikh, May Allah protect him… (١٠))
Ibn Hazm (May Allah have mercy on him) said:
“Undoubtedly, whoever reflects upon the Seerah of Muhammad ﷺ will find that his Seerah testifies to his truthfulness and proves that he is indeed the Messenger of Allah. Even if he had no other miracle besides his Seerah, it would have been sufficient.” – (١١)
The Fate of Blasphemers in History
The purpose of guiding towards the blessed Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ and its study is that, just as recently a blasphemer insulted the honor of the Prophet ﷺ—and according to sources, he was also arrested—it is extremely necessary to clarify what responsibility falls upon a Muslim and the educators of the young generation of the Ummah in these circumstances. This is not the first incident of insolence, insult, and mockery against the Prophets and Messengers; rather, it has been happening since earlier times, the details of which can be read in the Noble Quran. What was not said against the Prophet ﷺ? Indeed, even before him, such things were said to other Prophets.
The insult and blasphemy against the Prophet ﷺ have been occurring century after century since the Prophetic era itself, but Allah the Lord of the Worlds has exacted revenge on every person who insulted or blasphemed against the Prophet ﷺ.
- Among the polytheists of Makkah, Abu Jahl, Abu Lahab, Nadr bin Harith, Uqbah bin Abi Mu’ayt, Abdullah bin Khatal, Huwayrith bin Nuqayd, Miqyas bin Subabah, and others are those who were sent to Hellfire as a consequence of insulting the Messenger ﷺ.
- Among the Jews, when Ka’b bin Al-Ashraf, Abu Rafi’, Abu ‘Afak, and others insulted the Prophet ﷺ, they too became deserving of divine punishment at the hands of the noble Companions (May Allah be pleased with them all).
- When Khosrow Parvez committed insolence against the Prophet ﷺ, Allah the Almighty brought him to his end through his own son.
- Then, when the sequence of blasphemy emerged during the Umayyad era from a Christian priest, the Umayyad governor crushed the head of that Fitnah (tribulation).
- When this tribulation arose in Andalusia during the Abbasid era, it was decisively crushed there as well.
- Later, during the reign of Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi (May Allah have mercy on him), when a Christian commander dared to commit blasphemy, he too was dispatched to Hell.
- Similarly, in India, when the wretched Rajpal wrote the infamous book Rangeela Rasool, the conqueror of Qadian, Maulana Sanaullah Amritsari (May Allah have mercy on him), responded to it with Muqaddas Rasool (The Holy Messenger), and a few days later, that wretched blasphemer met his demise.
- In the same era in India, a person named Nathuram wrote a book titled Tarikh-e-Islam (History of Islam) in which he leveled heinous accusations against the Prophet ﷺ and started publicly insulting him ﷺ, so he too was brought to his true end.
This malicious sequence prolonged so much in the 21st century that now news of blasphemy against the Messenger is heard frequently. In 2002 in Germany, then from 2005 to 2008 in Denmark, similarly in the USA in 2007, and then in 2020 the French President made these attempts. Also in 2007, when Lars Vilks of Sweden committed blasphemy, two police officers were officially assigned to protect him from that very moment, yet three years ago in 2021, this blasphemer met a horrific death in a road accident.
Then, in recent years in India, people like Rohit Sardana, Nupur Sharma, and Narasimha Rao ignited this mischief, and following their path, Nazia Elahi Khan, immersed in atheism, has recently used abusive language against the Prophet ﷺ and attempted to attack the faith of Muslims.
In short, history is a witness that those who commit blasphemy against the Messenger become a symbol of warning in this very world, because Allah the Almighty has promised the Prophet ﷺ:
{إِنَّا كَفَیۡنَـٰكَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَهۡزِءِینَ} – (١٢)
Translation: "Indeed, We are sufficient for you against the mockers."
And He has warned the blasphemers through His statement:
{إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ ٱلۡأَبۡتَرُ} – (١٣)
Translation: "Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off (without posterity and traces)."
In contrast to these insolences, Allah the Almighty has also promised to elevate the majesty of the Prophet’s ﷺ prophethood:
{وَرَفَعۡنَا لَكَ ذِكۡرَكَ} – (١٤)
Translation: "And We raised high for you your repute."
Moreover, Allah has promised His help and support for him ﷺ:
﴿إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ اللَّهُ} – (١٥)
Translation: "If you do not aid him [the Prophet ﷺ] - Allah has already aided him."
Our Responsibilities as Muslims
But the fundamental question is: What can we, as Muslims and followers of the Prophet ﷺ, do for our Prophet ﷺ?
The straightforward answer to this is that we must act upon the pure Quran and Sunnah (according to the understanding of the righteous predecessors). The primary reason why blasphemy against the Messenger has become common despite the presence of Muslims is that Muslims are being perceived as weak. The true strength of Muslims is the power of faith (Iman), by the mere manifestations of which falsehood begins to perish. For Allah the Almighty has clearly stated:
{وَلَا تَهِنُوا۟ وَلَا تَحۡزَنُوا۟ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَوۡنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِینَ} – (١٦)
Translation: "Do not lose heart and do not grieve, and you will be the superior ones if you are [true] believers."
Important Actions for Muslims in These Circumstances:
- Self-Reformation: All of us must begin with ourselves; we must strictly follow and obey the Prophet ﷺ whose declaration of prophethood (Kalimah) we have recited, and we must completely stay away from Shirk (polytheism), Bid’ah (innovations in religion), blind imitation, and disobedience.
- Reviving the Sunnah at Home: In every home, along with punctuality in daily prayers and the recitation of the Holy Quran, there should be a regular study of the Prophet’s ﷺ Seerah. Practically, efforts should be made to revive daily Sunnahs, such as the observance of Nawafil (voluntary prayers) and Tahajjud, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, fasting on the White Days (Ayyam al-Beed), and practicing the Sunnahs of daily household chores, etc.
- Mosque Sermons: Lectures and discourses on the Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ should be organized in every mosque, in which his greatness, virtues, and rights are explained. The distinction between Sunnah and Bid’ah should be clarified so that every Muslim can differentiate between the two. Moreover, the character of the Prophet ﷺ should be detailed, specifically how he ﷺ interacted with others.
- Media Broadcasting: The virtues and merits of the Prophet ﷺ (especially his interactions with non-Muslims) should be translated into Indian and international languages, and broadcasted as widely as possible on print and electronic media. At the conclusion of these broadcasts, reliable quotes from non-Muslim intellectuals who have praised the Prophet ﷺ should also be cited.
- Addressing Doubts in Seminaries: The Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ is taught in Islamic seminaries (Madaris) and universities, but perhaps the study of the Shubuhaat (doubts/allegations) raised against the Prophet ﷺ is rarely conducted. Therefore, the academic and rational responses to all the objections and doubts raised by Jews, Christians, polytheists, orientalists, and atheists regarding the Prophet’s ﷺ Seerah should be taught to these students so they can respond excellently to non-Muslims in society when objections arise.
- Translating Defensive Literature: All Arabic materials written or spoken in defense of the Prophet ﷺ should be translated into Indian languages and distributed among Muslims, ensuring that every Muslim becomes academically mature enough to fulfill the right of defending the Prophet.
- Strategic Legal Action: In the event of blasphemy against the Messenger happening anywhere in the country, instead of creating a commotion or public disorder, Muslims should be guided towards taking legal action against the blasphemer, as the country’s situation regarding benefits and harms dictates this strategy. Utilizing the media properly, targeted campaigns and hashtags should be run so that pressure is exerted—not only by moderate elites of the country but also internationally—to hold the blasphemer legally accountable.
- Avoiding Retaliatory Insults: Generally at all times, and specifically during the tribulation of blasphemy, Muslims must be advised not to abuse or mock the religious symbols of non-Muslims, whether on social media or in public. Doing so can cause further Fitnah (strife), prompting them to retaliate by abusing the sacred symbols of Islam. Furthermore, Allah the Almighty has strictly forbidden this in the Quran.
- Political Advocacy: Muslim political leaders should continuously raise this issue in the parliament so that the government formulates a specific law against insulting the Prophet ﷺ, forcing all blasphemers to remain within the limits of respect.
- Patience and Supplication: Finally, the advice is that we all should continue the work of Da’wah (inviting to Islam) and reformation among the people while practicing righteous deeds along with beneficial knowledge. We must remain patient regarding all the hardships and sufferings that come our way, and supplicate extensively:
{عَلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوَكَّلۡنَا رَبَّنَا لَا تَجۡعَلۡنَا فِتۡنَةࣰ لِّلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِینَ (٨٥) وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحۡمَتِكَ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِینَ} – (١٧)
Translation: "Upon Allah we have relied. Our Lord, make us not [objects of] trial for the wrongdoing people. And save us by Your mercy from the disbelieving people."
Because the survival of the Ummah lies in these matters; this is the true methodology, and this is the true obedience to the noble Prophet ﷺ. (And our duty is only to convey the message clearly).
Umm Muhammad Khushnuma Muslehuddin
Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah Al-Mukarramah
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(١) Al-Ahzab: 21
(٢) Al-Hashr: 7
(٣) Sunan Ibn Majah: 67, Sahih
(٤) An-Nisa: 80
(٥) Al-Ahzab: 21
(٦) Sahih Al-Jami: 4811, Sahih
(٧) Al-Mu’minun: 69
(٨) Yusuf: 108
(٩) Zad Al-Ma’ad fi Huda Khayr Al-‘Ibad (1/69)
(١٠) Sharh Kitab Al-Fusul fi Sirat Ar-Rasul (p. 2)
(١١) Al-Fasl fi Al-Milal wa Al-Ahwa’ wa An-Nihal (2/90)
(١٢) Al-Hijr: 95
(١٣) Al-Kawthar: 3
(١٤) Ash-Sharh: 4
(١٥) At-Tawbah: 40
(١٦) Ali ‘Imran: 139
(١٧) Yunus: 85 – 86
