The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 41
I - Early Sources of Sīrat & Islāmic History 41 4 Sīrat Ibni Hishām ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām (Died in 213 A. H. ) He is a historian of great eminence and has been deemed worthy of reliance. His Sīrat , which is predominantly based on Sīrat Ibni Isḥāq, is exceptionally comprehensive and complete. Among the books of Sīrat , his work is accepted and renowned above all others. 5 Kitābus-Sīrat wa Kitābul-Maghāzī Muḥammad bin ‘Umar Al-Wāqidī (130 A. H. – 207 A. H. ) This person was a historian who possessed a wide span of information. Since he was not one to differentiate between truth and falsehood, and authentic and weak, to most research scholars, his written works are not reliable and authentic. A separate note relevant to his shall be presented ahead. 6 Ṭabaqāt-e-Kabīr Muḥammad bin Sa‘d (168 A. H. – 230 A. H. ) Ibni Sa‘d was among the distinctive disciples of Wāqidī and also served as his secretary. However, despite this relationship, he himself has been deemed trustworthy and reliable. His book is based on 12 volumes which comprise a remarkably comprehensive treasure of knowledge. The first two volumes are about the life of the Holy Prophet sa and the rest deal with his companions. If the narrations of Wāqidī are put aside, this book is excellent and authentic. 7 Tārīkhul-Umam wal-Mulūk Abū Ja‘far Muḥammad Ibni Jarīr Aṭ-Ṭabarī (224 A. H. – 310 A. H. ) This is not a work of Sīrat , rather a book of history. Since the biography of the Holy Prophet sa is also included, this work is categorized among the books of Sīrat as well. Ṭabarī was among the prominent and distinguished scholars of Islām and his work, spread over 12 volumes, has been deemed a remarkably comprehensive book of history. In addition to collecting the narrations of Ibni Isḥāq, Wāqidī