The orientalists have been studying the seerah of the prophet with a view to casting doubt and raising suspicions and discrediting the life and personality of the Prophet (saw). Their approach has evolved over the period of time. At times they have been vicious in their attacks as was the case in the 18th century which with time during the 19th and 20th century became seemingly sympathetic to his life. This study by Dr Muhammad Mohar Ali critically analyses the works of three famous orientalists, William Muir, D.S Margoliouth and W. Montgomery Watt. Dr Ali refutes the charges levelled by them against the life and character of the Prophet (saw) with an erudition which the treatment of such a subject requires.
Table of Contents
Section 1: The sources and the Background Chapter 1: the source of the Sirah Chapter 2: The Background Chapter 3: The Orientalists on some background Topics Chapter 4: On the Materialistic Interpretation of The rise of Islam
Section 2: Birth, Boyhood and Youth Chapter 5: Family Background, Birth and Childhood Chapter 6: The orientalists on the Prophet's family Chapter 7: Adolesence and Youth Chapter 8: Adolesence and Youth: The Orientalistss' Views Chapter 9: Watt's Theory about the Harb Al Fijar and Hilf al Fudul Chapter 10: The allegation of ambition and preparation Chapter 11: The theme of judaeo-Christian Influence Chapter 12: The Alleged contemporary Errors in the Qur'an
Section 3: On the eve of the Call of Prophethood Chapter 13: On the eve of the call: The Hanifs and the Affair of Uthman ibn Al-huwayrith Chapter 14: The orientalist and the Hanifs: The Jeffery-Bell theory Chapter 15: The orientalists and the Hanfis: Watts' views
Section 4: Receipt of Wahy and inception of the Mission Chapter 16: Divine communication (wahy) and inception of the mission Chapter 17: Wahy and the Orientalists: The views of Muir and Margoliouth Chapter 18: Wahy and the Orientalists: Bell's views Chapter 19: Wahy and the Orientalists: Watt's Treatment of the Al-Zuhri's report Chapter 20: Wahy and the Orientalists: The Theory of Intellectual Locution
Section 5: The early phase of the Mission Chapter 21: The Early phase of the mission Chapter 22: Margolioth's theory of 'Islam and a secret society" Chapter 23: The bell-Watt theory about the contents of early revelations Chapter 24: The early phase of the mission and Watt's socio-economic interpretation
Section 6: The Makkan Opposition Chapter 25: The makkahn Opposition: