Rawdat al-Anwar fi Sirat al-Nabi al-Mukhtar

Author's name: Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Rawdat al-Anwar fi Sirat al-Nabi al-Mukhtar (The Garden of Lights in the Biography of the Chosen Prophet) is a book on the Prophet's biography, authored by Imam Safi al-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri. The book is considered a concise account of the Prophet's life, neither excessive nor deficient. The author drew his material from the Holy Quran and its reliable commentaries, as well as from books of Sunnah and biography [1]. In the introduction to his book, Safi al-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri states: "Some brothers suggested to me that I compile a new book of moderate length, gathering what is established and recognized by the leading scholars of this field, while taking into account the level of beginners and general students, avoiding injustice and deviation. I sought God's guidance and success, and began the required work, drawing upon the Holy Quran and its authoritative commentaries, then from books of Sunnah and biography, benefiting from the internal evidence and testimonies found therein, as well as external testimonies. I preferred to use narrations and the words of the early scholars as much as possible, while being concise and selective. I hope that I have fulfilled the requirement to a near extent, and I pray to God Almighty that He may benefit the Muslims through it and make it purely for His sake."