Interpretations of the Evidences of Prophethood: A Comparative and Analytical Study of Seerat-un-Nabi ﷺ and Zia-un-Nabi ﷺ

دلائلِ نبوت کی تعبیرات: سیرت النبی ﷺ اور ضیاء النبی ﷺ کا تقابلی و تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Abstract

The evidences of Prophethood occupy an important place in the literature of Seerah because they provide a framework for understanding the truth of Prophethood through the Qur’an, Hadith, miracles, the character of the Prophet ﷺ, and the historical impact of his mission. This research comparatively examines the presentation of these evidences in Seerat-un-Nabi ﷺ and Zia-un-Nabi ﷺ. Particular attention is given to the relationship between transmitted reports and rational analysis, the treatment of prophetic miracles, and the ways in which the authors respond to questions arising from historical and modern intellectual contexts. The study also takes into account an important authorship distinction: the first two volumes of Seerat-un-Nabi ﷺ were written by Allama Shibli Nomani, while the remaining volumes were completed by Syed Sulaiman Nadvi after Shibli’s death. The third volume, which deals extensively with the evidences and miracles of Prophethood, is therefore particularly associated with Nadvi’s contribution. Zia-un-Nabi ﷺ, written by Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari, represents a later style of Seerah writing in which traditional sources, historical discussion, rational explanation, literary expression and devotional sensitivity are brought together. The study concludes that both works share the fundamental objective of explaining the truth and significance of Prophethood, while differing in their emphasis, literary expression and methods of presenting evidence.