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

Dalā'il al-Nubuwwa literature that is centered on narratives from the Prophet Muḥammad'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 Dalā'il al-Nubuwwa literature emerged among the circles of early ḥadīth scholars of the late 2nd/8th century. By analyzing extant texts of Dalā'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.