Proving Prophecy, Dalāʾil Al-Nubūwa Literature as Part of the Scholarly Discourse on Prophecy in Islam

Dala’il al-Nubuwwa literature that is centered on narratives from the Prophet Muhammad’s life has most commonly been viewed, or even dismissed, as the product of popular veneration. Building extensive research on biographical and bibliographical sources, this book demonstrates that Dala’il al-Nubuwwa literature emerged among the circles of early hadith scholars of the late 2nd/8th century. By analyzing extant texts of Dala’il al-Nubuwwa regarding their sources, structures, methodological approaches, and selection of contents, it showcases that these works were part of epistemological discourses on prophecy that transcended religious boundaries as well as the dividing lines between various Muslim scholarly disciplines.