The Election of the Caliphate and the Theological Style of Sīrah Writing: A Critical Review of Sayyid Ja‘far Murtadha al-‘Amili’s “Al-Sahih min Sirat al-Nabi al-A‘zam”

انتخابِ خلافت اور سیرت نگاری کا کلامی اسلوب سید جعفر مرتضی عاملی کی ’’الصحیح من سیرت النبی الاعظم ﷺ‘‘ کا انتقادی جائزہ

Abstract

This article presents a critical study of the theological and historiographical methodology employed by Sayyid Ja‘far Murtadha al-‘Amili in his renowned work Al-Sahih min Sirat al-Nabi al-A‘zam ﷺ, with particular focus on the issue of the election of the Caliphate (Intikhab-e-Khilafat) and its treatment within prophetic biography (Sīrah writing). The study explores how the author integrates theological discourse (Kalām) into historical narration and examines the extent to which doctrinal commitments influence his analysis of early Islamic political events. The article critically evaluates al-‘Amili’s interpretive approach toward the events surrounding the succession to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, especially his discussion of the incidents of Saqifah, Ghadir Khumm, and the role of the Companions. It further investigates his reliance on historical reports, principles of source criticism, and argumentative style in comparison with classical Sunni and Shi‘a historiographical tradition. By analyzing selected passages from Al-Sahih min Sirat al-Nabi al-A‘zam ﷺ, the study highlights the author’s tendency to employ a polemical and theological framework while reconstructing historical narratives. The research also discusses the broader impact of sectarian perspectives on Sīrah literature and assesses whether theological presuppositions strengthen or compromise historical objectivity. Using analytical and comparative methods, the article aims to contribute to contemporary academic discussions on Islamic historiography, Sīrah studies, and the relationship between theology and history in Muslim intellectual tradition.