The approach of Al- Hafiz Mughalatay bin Qulaij Al-Bakjari (died 762HJ/1360AD) and his resources in his book, "al iisharat iilaa sirat almustafaa watarikh min baedih min alkhulafa" biography of the prophet section.

Abstract

The research presents a brief overview of the evolution and diversity of prophetic biography writing methodologies, including the extensive books, commentaries, and abbreviations, throughout the Arab-Islamic ages. The research then focuses on a compilation that appeared in the eighth Hijri century, the Mamluk era. The book is one of the shortest abbreviations of prophetic biography: al-Ishārah ilá Sīrat al-Muṣṭafá wa-Tārīkh man baʿdah min al-Khulafā, by Mughalṭāy ibn Qalīj ibn Abdullah Al-Bakjeri. The study introduces an overview of the author’s life, from birth to death, his most renowned compilations, and the main resources from which he drew his scientific material. The study also highlights the methodology the author adopted in quoting from the sources on which he relied in the prophetic biography section of his book.  To achieve this, the article refers to the author’s statements and his approach to presenting his scientific material. In addition, it demonstrates the significance of this book and how prophetic biography scholars benefitted from it. The study then closes by highlighting its main conclusions.