Navigating Modern Approaches to the Sīrah Genre Through Analysis of Gülen’s Magnum Opus Sonsuz Nur
摘要
Following the theoretical exploration of modern approaches to sīrah and the intellectual debates surrounding the personality and life of Prophet Muhammad—deeply embedded in theological discourse—this chapter shifts focus to Gülen’s magnum opus, Sonsuz Nur, on sīrah. This chapter rigorously analyses the work from various perspectives, including its place within the Islamic khitābah (oratory and rhetoric) tradition, its distinctive systematic approach, and a comparative study alongside pioneering modern scholars such as Mawlana Shiblī and Muhammad Hamīdullah. The chapter potently captures and navigates contemporary methodologies, tendencies and understandings of sīrah, offering a comparative analysis of methodology and style. Additionally, it highlights the close relationship between sīrah and the khitābah tradition, highlighting its instrumental role in promoting ethical values and advocating Islamic teachings as a genre—an important contribution to the academic discourse on sīrah studies.