Sīrah Literature before the Birth of Holy Prophet (ﷺ) in “Ansāb al- Ashrāf”: Analytical Study

"انساب الاشراف للبلاذری "میں قبل از ولادت ِنبوی ﷺ مباحث سیرت: تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Abstract

This study explores the Sīrah (biographical) literature in Ansāb al-Ashrāf, focusing on the events and genealogical narratives preceding the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Authored by the 9^th century historian Aḥmad bin Yaḥyā al-Balādhurī, Ansāb al-Ashrāf is among the earliest Islamic historical works to systematically address the lineage and notable incidents involving the ancestors of the Prophet ﷺ, specifically within the socio-political context of pre-Islamic Arabia. The research investigates how al-Balādhurī portrays the Prophet’s noble lineage, tracing back through significant figures like ʻAbd al-Muṭṭalib, Hāshim, and Qusayy, to emphasize the unique status of the Prophet’s family in Quraysh and broader Arab society. Through an analytical approach, the study examines specific narratives, such as the rediscovery of Zamzam by ʻAbd al-Muṭṭalib and the event of Aṣḥāb al-Fīl (the People of the Elephant), to understand how these stories serve to foreshadow the advent of prophethood. Additionally, this research assesses al-Balādhurī’s methods and sources, comparing them with other early biographical works to highlight differences in genealogical presentation and historical perspective. By analyzing these pre-birth narratives, the study aims to contribute to the understanding of early Islamic historiography and its role in shaping perceptions of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ ancestry and the broader religious significance of his family lineage in Islamic history.