سیرتِ نبویﷺ پر منٹگمری واٹ کے افکار و آراء کا تحقیقی و تنقیدی جائزہ

A Critical Study of Montgomery Watt’s Views on the Seerah of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Abstract

This research article critically examines the views of Montgomery Watt on the Seerah (biography) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), focusing on his works Muhammad at Mecca (1953) and Muhammad at Medina (1956). The study explores Watt's methodological approach, which, while attempting to present a balanced perspective, often relies on secular and materialistic frameworks, thereby marginalizing the spiritual and divine dimensions of prophethood. The article probes Watt's interpretations of key events in the Prophet's life, such as the first revelation, the Hijrah (migration), and interactions with Quraysh, highlighting inconsistencies and biases in his analysis. It investigates how Watt's skepticism toward certain historical narratives contrasts with established Islamic sources, including the Quran and Hadith. The research also explains the broader context of Orientalist scholarship, emphasizing how Watt's work, despite its relative objectivity, remains influenced by Western academic traditions and fails to fully grasp the transcendental aspects of the Prophet's mission. By scrutinizing Watt's arguments, the study underscores the necessity of approaching the Seerah from an Islamic epistemological framework to preserve its authenticity and universality.