Evidences of Sīrah Discussions in Fatwā Literature (A Critical Study of Al-Aṭāyā Al-Nabawiyyah fī -Al-Fatāwā Al-Riḍawiyyah)

مباحث السِّيرة فی الأدب الفتوٰی (دراسۃ نقدیۃ لکتاب: العطایۃ النبویۃ في الفتاوٰی الرضویۃ)

Abstract

Fiqh is not a new discipline; scholarly engagement with it began during the era of Khayr al-Qurūn (Early years of Islam). However, with the passage of time, it has continued to evolve, exhibiting increasing sophistication, originality, and refinement. A few centuries ago, this discipline took the form of Fatāwā compilations. Among the various collections of Fatāwā authored across different regions, languages and eras of the Muslim world, Fatāwā Riḍawiyyah occupies a distinct and distinguished position among all. This monumental and phenomenal work stands out for the diversity of its subjects, the novelty of its evidentiary reasoning, the depth of its derivation, extrapolation of legal principles, implementations and its engagement with contemporary issues. Beyond its juristic mastery and superiority, it also embodies a profound and all-encompassing devotion to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Imam Ahmad Raza Khan’s fervent expressions of love for the Prophet ﷺ in this collection and compilation of Fatāwā, and it is this very spiritual ardor that naturally leads to the inclusion of discussions pertaining to Sīrah (the life of the Prophet), happen to be the topic of this article.