Mashahid as a Spatial Analysis Term in Sira Literature: The Journey of a Pre-Modern Concept

Abstract

Sira writing, an essential subfield of Islamic historiography, focuses on the detailed narration of the life of the Prophet Muhammad. Within this literature, the terms sira and maghazi are among the most commonly employed. In addition, the concept of mashahid, which frequently appears in early sira sources but has been largely forgotten over time, refers to the specific locations where the Prophet was present during battles and other significant events. This study investigates the conceptual relationship between mashahid, sira, and maghazi, and traces the historical trajectory of the term from its early usage to its marginalization in later periods. The origins and development of the term mashahid are analyzed within the contexts of both the Eastern Islamic world and the Maghrib-al-Andalus region. The term was notably used in early sources such as the works of Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri, where it appears under the expression Mashahid al-Nabi. In the Maghrib and al-Andalus, mashahid was adopted extensively by early Andalusian scholars. Notably, biographical scholars like Ibn al-Faradi and al-Khushani preferred mashahid over sira or maghazi in their accounts. In the modern era, although Maher Jarrar has drawn attention to the concept, mashahid has still not been sufficiently addressed in contemporary scholarship. In conclusion, despite its early significance, the concept of mashahid requires renewed academic attention. Sole reliance on sira and maghazi fails to capture the full scope of the Prophet's life. Reintegrating mashahid into sira studies would enrich the spatial and historical analysis. At the same time, this research also contributes a new theoretical framework, terminology, and historical perspective for future scholarship in sira and spatial historiography.