Al-Qalam 
By Imam A. Rashied Omar
As we bid farewell to the blessed month of Rabiʿ al-Awwal, the month in which Muslims across the globe commemorate the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), it is fitting to reflect on the ways we celebrate his life. Our communities have long upheld beautiful traditions during this month: gatherings of remembrance (dhikr), the recitation of devotional poetry (qasaʾid), and the singing of melodious mawlud verses that nurture love for the Prophet (pbuh). These practices are treasures handed down to us by our elders, and they continue to nourish our hearts and souls.
Yet, as with all cultural traditions, there is always space for renewal and enrichment. For several years, I have advocated for a simple addition to our Mawlid al-Nabi celebrations: that each year, alongside our devotional gatherings, we commit to reading a book on the Sirah, biography and life-journey of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This is not to replace our cherished traditions but to complement them with deeper knowledge. By engaging the Sirah annually, we ensure that our love for the Prophet (pbuh) is joined with an ever-growing understanding of his mission, character, and teachings.
Reading the Sirah: A Living Tradition
To illustrate the value of this practice, I wish to reflect on one of the most significant modern works on the Prophet’s life in English: Muhammad: Man and Prophet by Adil Salahi. Published in 2008, this extensive biography of more than 800 pages offers not just a detailed narrative of the Prophet’s life but also a thoughtful analysis. It shows how the Prophet’s example can continue to guide Muslims in today’s world. Two contributions in Salahi’s work stand out.
The first concerns the oft-recited account of the judgment on the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayzah following the Battle of Khandaq. Classical Sirah sources, most notably Ibn Ishaq (d. 767), report that Saʿd ibn Muʿadh, acting as arbitrator, decreed that Qurayzah men be executed and their women and children enslaved for treason. Later scholars sought to justify this verdict by noting that collective punishment for treason was common in wartime, even in modern history. Adil Salahi, however, reviews this account carefully and finds it inconsistent with Islamic principles of justice. Drawing on the research of Professor W. N. Arafat, published in the Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies in 1976, he notes that the narrative of mass execution appears only in Ibn Ishaq’s version and not in other early Sirah works. Arafat, furthermore, carefully examined isnad (chains of transmission) and textual evidence, concluding that the account was likely exaggerated or fabricated, and that early Muslim jurists did not rely on it as a legal precedent.
The prominent Muslim jurist, Imam al-Awzaʿi (d. 789), explicitly condemned punishing the many for the sins of the few. This interpretation restores the Prophet’s image as the embodiment of justice and mercy, while also protecting Muslims from internalizing harmful attitudes, such as anti-Semitism, that have no place in Islam. This lesson is especially relevant in our time, as we bear witness to the unfolding genocide in Gaza, reminding us that standing for justice must never descend into hatred of entire peoples.
The second major contribution of Salahi’s book concerns the age of Sayyidah ʿA’ishah at the time of her marriage to the Prophet (pbuh). The commonly circulated claim is that she was nine years old. After carefully re-examining the evidence, Salahi concludes that she was likely closer to twenty. He is not alone in this view; other Muslim scholars have advanced similar arguments. This re-evaluation is significant, for it underscores the need to revisit inherited reports in the light of Qur’anic principles, sound hadith, and historical context. It reminds us that the Muslim intellectual tradition is dynamic, not static, and that fidelity to the Prophet’s example includes exercising critical reason alongside reverence.
Many of us also cherish the memory of being lulled to sleep as children by the sweet melodies of Mawlid al-Nabi. That tradition of love should continue. Yet alongside it, let us nurture another tradition: gifting our children books on the life of the Prophet (pbuh). In this way, we pass on not only devotion but also the knowledge that shapes character and faith.
As we close this year’s Rabi al-Awwal, let us embrace this simple but transformative practice: making the reading of the Sirah part of our Mawlid al-Nabi celebrations. The best tribute we can offer the Prophet (pbuh) is not only to sing his praises but to live by his example with knowledge, love, and understanding. “Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. Believers, send blessings and salutations upon him with all respect.” (Qur’an 33:56). May our Mawlid al-Nabi celebrations always be filled with devotion, reflection, and the resolve to embody the Prophetic way in our lives.
