The Illuminating Light

The Illuminating Light, as written by Imam Abdul Qadir ibn Badran Ad-Dumi (d.1346), is a summary of the 4-volume masterpiece As-Sirat un-Nabawiyyah by Imam Abdul Malik ibn Hisham (d.218) as well as other well-known texts to do with the life of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Although only four short units, the text covers from the birth of the Last Prophet, signs and prophecies fulfilled at his birth, witnesses of his life as well as miracles and testimonies of those who knew him best. Readers will be delighted with the vast body of biographies, a detailed introduction to the history of sirah, those who collected it and its different kinds. Among the last of Imam Ibn Badran's works, this text is a brilliant yet concise look into the life of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, those around him who sacrificed their lives to follow him and carried his message far and wide after his death. The reader is invited to examine the Last Prophet's physical characteristics, manners, morals, social interaction with others, prophecies, miracles, lineage, advice and much, much more. This work in the hands of the reader stands as the best introduction to sirah that one could lay hands upon.