An illustrious volume of Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (SAWAW)
By Syed Afsar Sajid
Title: ‘Sahib-e-Quran (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Alihi Wasallam)’
Author: Muhammad Bashir Herl
Pages: 619
Muhammad Bashir Herl is a veteran businessman, intellectual, writer, and journeyer. His latest publication is a voluminous Seerah of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), which also contains a graphic description of the gradual Revelation of the Holy Quran to him in eight consecutive stages (seven Makki and one Madani) over a period of approximately 23 years (13 in Makkah and 10 in Madinah), between 609 CE and 632 CE.
The book comprises six chapters besides indices on the chronology of the divine Revelation (‘Wahi’) in order of ‘Nuzul’, ‘Abjad’ and ‘Mushaf’. Written in a fluent but perspicacious style, it encapsulates the valued teachings of Islam as enunciated and preached by the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Leading scholars, namely Dr. Ejaz Farooq Akram, Dr. Muhammad Asif Awan, and Maulana Mufti Saeed Ahmad, have contributed prefatory notes to the prized publication.
The first chapter deals with the creation of the universe and (Hazrat) Adam and the known history. The topics discussed in this chapter include different concepts of creation, ancient civilizations and religions, a broad view of the universe, the planet earth and the existence of life on it, explanatory notes on some major Prophets from Hazrat Adam to Holy Christ, the evolution of life in the known world, the discovery of the continent of America, the advent of the steam engine, an introduction to the Arabian peninsula, and a description of some major idols worshipped by the Arabs prior to the emergence of Islam.
The second chapter focuses on the Seerah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), his ancestors, his youth and business ventures, his matrimony, his venerable spouses and progeny, his family tree, ‘Hajr-e-Aswad,’ and passing references to (the tribe of) Quraysh and (the clan of) Hashim.
The third chapter relates the events of the ‘Be’sat’ of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), the rise of Islam, the non-Arab nations, the simple life of the Arabs, and the Revelation, or divine inspiration, besides a detailed delineation of the socio-political scenario of the seven periods of Revelation of the Holy Quran in Makkah.
The fourth chapter depicts the important events relating to the post-Hijrah life of the Prophet (peace be upon him), which coincides with the eighth era of the Revelation of the Quran in Madinah (from 1st to 10th Hijrah).
The next chapter (5th) recounts the events of the passing of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), which include his last address (‘Khutba’) at Masjid-e-Nabwi, the issue of his succession, and his burial.
The sixth chapter summarises the salient features of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) Seerah such as his simple but austere life, his reverent behaviour, humility and forbearance, his social etiquettes and daily engagements, his elegant profile and conduct as a trustee (‘Ameen’), his compassionate treatment of children, his enormous contribution to the spread of Islam, his military expeditions (27 ‘Ghazawat’ (battles) in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself participated and 60 ‘Sariya’ (military operations) where he was not present but they were fought by his devout companions), and the humanising reformative strategies and measures that he introduced in the scheme(s) of wars waged against the enemies of Islam.
The supplement contains indices to the Holy Quran in three different sequences i.e. chronological, alphabetical, and thematic. The author has also added a brief self-profile with a list of his other publications to this section.
All said, the book is a valuable compendium of the Seerah of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) with a detailed but graphic survey of all of the major and minor events bearing on his pious life and noble character—couched in a lucid but comprehensive narrative. It is not only an elaborate biography of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) but also a refined history of the Revelation of the Quran.
