Read my previous article on ‘What is Seerah?’ here

In this article, I have compiled a list of important reasons why every Muslim should study the Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ.

Declaration of Faith

The importance of the Seerah can be discerned from the Shahadah (the Declaration of Faith), for one cannot enter into the fold of Islam except through testifying that ‘Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah.’ Yet how can one truly attest to this without knowing who Muhammad ﷺ is?

Understand the Qur’an

One cannot fully understand the complexities of the Qur’an without studying the Prophet’s biography because revelation had context and the context of the Qur’an was his life. The Qur’an has many direct references to events that transpired throughout his life such as the key battles of Badr and Hunayn and it also refers to events indirectly e.g. when the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه sought refuge in the Cave of al-Thawr. As such, the Qur’an cannot be fully understood without knowing the events that occurred throughout his life, the circumstances in which revelation descended and the one to whom it was revealed. Ultimately, studying Seerah allows one to gain a deep appreciation and understanding of the Qur’an.

Love for the Prophet ﷺ and Allah

One cannot claim to love an unknown person so how can one claim to love the Prophet ﷺ without knowing him and his life? The Prophet ﷺ himself said:
“None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 15)

Therefore, it is imperative for Muslims to familiarise themselves with the Prophet ﷺ’s life, physical description and personal traits. By following in the footsteps of the Prophet ﷺ you will not only be proving your love for the Messenger but you will also attain the love of Allah, as mentioned in the Qur’an:
Say (O Muhammad): “If you really love Allah, then follow me, (so) Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
(Qur’an 3:31)

Defending the Honour of the Prophet ﷺ

Muslims are faced with attacks almost every day. Those who hate Islam and Muslims are not shy to falsely accuse our beloved Prophet ﷺ of heinous acts. Yet if we want to defend our Prophet ﷺ, then how can we do so? The Seerah gives us the knowledge with which we can defend the honour of our Prophet ﷺ.

Personal Benefits of Studying Seerah

Makes sending salawat (salutations) upon the Prophet ﷺ far more meaningful
Follow in the footsteps of an exemplary role model
Able to implement his Sunnah
Able to teach others about the Prophet ﷺ’s illustrious life
Iman (faith) is strengthened when we learn about the sacrifices and struggles the sahaba made