An Obligation: Why Study Seerah?

WHY STUDY SEERAH?
At a glance – benefits of studying the biography of the Prophet (S)
1. It is an obligation
2. Increase our love for the Prophet (S)
3. Seerah helps us understand the Quran
4. A source of optimism
5. The Seerah itself is a miracle
6. A precise methodology for the revival of the Ummah
7. Source of knowledge about the companions
1. An obligation
Allah has commanded us to know the Prophet Muhammad. This is an obligation that Allah has put
upon us. There are over 50 verses in the Qur’an that tells us to take the Prophet as an example.
For example,
Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to follow for him who
hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.Qur’an [33:21]
From the Seerah, we can gain religious knowledge, we can learn about manners and morals. Also,
from the Seerah, we get to know how he was as a leader. How he was as a father and as a
husband. No matter in which angle we look at, we will find an example in him to follow.
2. Love of Prophet Muhammad

Studying Seerah is the number one way to increase our love for the Prophet . There are no other
ways as effective and as powerful to increase our love for the Prophet than by studying his life
and times. This is a sad fact that unfortunately we have neglected this study.
If you truly love him, you will study him. Because, a sign of loving someone is to want to know
more about that person. Studying the Seerah is a sign of love and through studying the Seerah we
increase our love. It is a circle – the more we study the more we love, the more we love, the more
we study.
3. Helps us understand the Qur’an

Understanding the Seerah also helps us understand the Qur’an. The Qur’an is a very profound book
and it cannot be understood without context. Without context, we cannot appreciate the Qur’an.
For example, let us look at the following verse from the Qur’an,
Your lord has not abandoned you nor has he shown you any harshness.Qur’an [93:3]
We will not understand this verse until we study the Seerah – when it was revealed and why it was
revealed.
4. A source of optimism
The Seerah raises our hopes, lifts our spirits and blesses us with optimism. By studying the Seerah
we can understand that the people before us suffered even more. In fact, in the Qur’an, Allah tells
the Prophet ,
We are going to recite to you the stories of the previous prophets in order that your heart attain
affirmation. Qur’an [11:120]
So, our Prophet heard the stories of the earlier prophets and it gave him optimism, increased his
Iman. How about us then? Don’t we need to increase our Iman even more?
5. A miracle
The Seerah itself is a miracle of the Prophet . His whole life is an indication that he is the Prophet
of Allah – coming from where he came, with the lack of education that he had and yet coming forth
with the message, the eloquent scripture. The Prophet came from the midst of a barbaric nation
and within twenty years or so after the first revelation, he revolutionized the entire nation.
The famous scholar Ibn Hazm says,
If the Prophet had not been given any miracle, other than his life and his times, it would have been
sufficient to prove that he is a prophet from Allah.
His Seerah is the best indication that he is the prophet of Allah.
6. A precise methodology for the revival of the Ummah

The Seerah lays out a precise methodology for the revival of the Ummah. If we want to bring about
honor and glory to his Ummah, we have to look at what he did. He began from zero and within his
lifetime achieved so much. We see the state of the Ummah today and our hearts bleed. We wonder
why this is happening to us. The answer is in studying the Seerah and learning from it.
The Seerah brings about the knowledge with which we can defend the honor of our Prophet . His
honor has always been under attack, from day one – he was called a magician, a madman and
what not. The propaganda that began that time still continues. In our times the Prophet is called a
bloodthirsty terrorist, a womanizer etc etc. How are we going to defend him if we do not know
whether these things are true or not? And if certain elements are true, then how do we understand
them?
By studying Seerah, we can also learn about the lives of the companions. They are called the best
of generations, as mentioned in the Qur’an,
Allah being pleased with them and they with Him.Qur’an [98:8]
By studying the Seerah, we study the stories of Abu Bakr and Umar and Ali, the stories of Anas and
Jabir, Talha and Jubair – they were all legendary people. They inspire us by their sacrifices,
struggles, patience and perseverance. Each and every one of them is a role model for us.

An Obligation: Why Study Seerah?

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WHY STUDY SEERAH?

At a glance – benefits of studying the biography of the Prophet (S)

2. Love of Prophet Muhammad

3. Helps us understand the Qur’an

His Seerah is the best indication that he is the prophet of Allah.

6. A precise methodology for the revival of the Ummah

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