A Review of Rationalist Trends in Sīrah Writing in the Indian Subcontinent

برصغیر کی سیرت نگاری میں عقلی رجحانات کا جائزہ

Abstract

Sīrah writing constitutes a fundamental and significant dimension of the intellectual history of Islam. It is not merely a narration of historical events; rather, it seeks to develop a sound Sharʿī and intellectual understanding of the blessed life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, derive guidance from his exemplary conduct, and present its enduring message in accordance with the needs of every age. As a dynamic intellectual discipline, Sīrah writing has continually responded to emerging intellectual, social, and cultural questions while remaining rooted in the Qurʾān and Sunnah. In the contemporary era, diverse intellectual trends have influenced the study and interpretation of Sīrah, particularly rationalist approaches that seek to reinterpret Prophetic narratives through reason and historical criticism. In the Indian subcontinent, such approaches have contributed significantly to the development of modern Sīrah literature. The present study, “Rationalist Trends in Sīrah Writing in the Indian Subcontinent: A Critical and Analytical Study,” examines the emergence, methodological characteristics, and major features of these trends and critically evaluates them in the light of established principles of Islamic scholarship.