Why Study the Seerah?Understanding Its General & Specific Benefits
The General Benefit of Studying the Seerah
The general benefit of studying the biography of the Prophet (Seerah) is to present the life story of the Prophet of Islam to the world. This is so that just-minded individuals, through its study, may gauge what status this Messenger of God holds in terms of noble character, commendable attributes, intellectual and practical perfections, and in reforming the world; and what exemplary model (Uswah Hasanah) he left behind for his community after him.
The Specific Benefit of Studying the Seerah
The Noble Quran states:
لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أَسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ
(Surah Al-Mumtahanah, Verse 6)
Translation: "There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent model."
In another place, it states:
قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ
(Surah Al-Imran, Verse 31)
Translation: "Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you.'"
Therefore, it is an obligation for every Muslim to study the biography of this Prophet of God.
This is because love for him is part of our faith, and remembrance of him is our life.
His Seerah is the means for our success in both worlds and our salvation in the Hereafter, and his blessed life is the guiding proof for our intellectual and practical lives.
