The Sirat Rasul Allah, composed by Ibn Ishaq around 767 CE and surviving only through the later recension of Ibn Hisham, is the foundational biography of Muhammad and one of the earliest extended sources for his life. Its authority is that of the earliest substantial biographical tradition, compiled within roughly a century and a half of the events it describes, and it remains foundational to Islamic biographical scholarship. Ibn Hisham's own recension states plainly that he omitted material from Ibn Ishaq's original text, so what survives is already an edited version, and a claim resting on a specific episode benefits from being checked against other early sources where they exist.
Facts
Assessment
Reliability Tier3
The Sirat Rasul Allah, Ibn Ishaq's biography of Muhammad surviving only through Ibn Hisham's recension, is the earliest substantial biographical tradition of its subject, the Islamic tradition's own foundational account of the Prophet's life rather than independently verified history, hence the lower tier, though it remains foundational to Islamic biographical scholarship and Ibn Hisham's own recension states plainly what it omitted from Ibn Ishaq's original text. NotesThe foundational biography of Muhammad, composed about 767 and surviving only through Ibn Hisham's later edition, which states that material was omitted.
Citation
AuthorIbn Ishaq; edited by Ibn Hisham
Source Typeprimary-text
Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
This source names Muhammad directly: "isham, is the foundational biography of Muhammad and one of the earliest extended source"
Claims Backed By This Source (14 claims)
This source backs 14 claims across the atlas. As facts: 8 well-attested. As cited relationships: 1 holds. Plus 5 entities citing it as a general reference with no single fact or relationship attached.
Disposition By Topic
- Sources, 6 claims: 5 well-attested, 1 holds.
- Figures, 4 claims: 4 general references.
- Myths & Sacred Narratives, 4 claims: 3 well-attested, 1 general references.
Well-attested
8Myths & Sacred Narratives
General References
5Myths & Sacred Narratives
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