Mashāhid as a Spatial Analysis Term in Sīra Literature: The Journey of a Pre-Modern Concept

Authors : Yakup Akyürek
Pages : 20-35
Doi:10.17335/sakaifd.1631174
View : 259 | Download : 115
Publication Date : 2025-06-15
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Sīra writing, an essential subfield of Islamic historiography, focuses on the detailed narration of the life of the Prophet Muḥammad. Within this literature, the terms sīra and maghāzī are among the most commonly employed. In addition, the concept of mashāhid, which frequently appears in early sīra sources but has been largely forgotten over time, refers to the specific locations where the Prophet was present during battles and other significant events. This study investigates the conceptual relationship between mashāhid, sīra, and maghāzī, and traces the historical trajectory of the term from its early usage to its marginalization in later periods. The origins and development of the term mashāhid are analyzed within the contexts of both the Eastern Islamic world and the Maghrib-al-Andalus region. The term was notably used in early sources such as the works of Ibn Shihāb al-Zuhrī, where it appears under the expression “Mashāhid al-Nabī.” In the Maghrib and al-Andalus, mashāhid was adopted extensively by early Andalusian scholars. Notably, biographical scholars like Ibn al-Faraḍī and al-Khushanī preferred mashāhid over sīra or maghāzī in their accounts. In the modern era, although Maher Jarrar has drawn attention to the concept, mashāhid has still not been sufficiently addressed in contemporary scholarship. In conclusion, despite its early significance, the concept of mashāhid requires renewed academic attention. Sole reliance on sīra and maghāzī fails to capture the full scope of the Prophet’s life. Reintegrating mashāhid into sīra studies would enrich the spatial and historical analysis. At the same time, this research also contributes a new theoretical framework, terminology, and historical perspective for future scholarship in sīra and spatial historiography.
Keywords : İslam Tarihi, Siyer Yazıcılığı, Siyer ve Megâzî, Meşâhid, Doğu İslam Dünyası, Mağrib ve Endülüs

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