Exploring the Legitimate Authority of Prophetic Sīrah (Biography) in Deriving Deductions and Rulings

Abstract

This paper investigates the legitimate authority of the Prophetic Sīrah (biography) as a source of legal and ethical deductions within Islamic jurisprudence. While classical scholarship unanimously considers the Sīrah an essential component of the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition), its independent capacity to serve as a foundational basis for deriving rulings has been a subject of nuanced analysis. By distinguishing Sīrah from Sunnah, this study critically examines the extent to which the Sīrah can function as a source of normative guidance. Employing a qualitative methodology grounded in library research, the paper utilizes descriptive, analytical, and comparative approaches to scrutinize classical and contemporary scholarship. The findings demonstrate that Prophetic Sīrah, beyond its narrative value, possesses significant legislative weight in contextualizing and applying Islamic principles to the evolving realities of Muslim life. In the context of modern complexities, the Sīrah not only reinforces Muslim identity but also provides actionable frameworks for ethical and legal reasoning. This research contributes to the broader discourse on Islamic legal theory by reaffirming the integrative role of Sīrah alongside the Sunnah in shaping jurisprudential thought and moral conduct.