An Analytical Study of Urdu Translations of Arabic Sīrah Literature on the Ghazawāt of the Prophet (1980–1990)

Abstract

This study critically examines the Urdu translations of selected Arabic Sīrah works focusing on the Ghazawāt (military expeditions) of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, produced between 1980 and 1990. The research explores how these translations have preserved, interpreted, or modified the original Arabic narratives, particularly in terms of historical accuracy, linguistic fidelity, religious sensitivity, and contextual clarity. By analyzing both classical and modern Arabic Sīrah texts and their corresponding Urdu versions, the study identifies key trends in translation practices, including shifts in tone, emphasis on spiritual dimensions, and the adaptation of military and political terminology. The research also highlights the ideological and pedagogical influences that shaped these translations during the socio-political landscape of the 1980s, a period marked by renewed interest in Islamic history and identity in South Asia. Through comparative textual analysis, this paper evaluates the extent to which the Urdu renditions contribute to or deviate from the original messages and purposes of the Arabic sources. The findings underscore the importance of faithful yet culturally sensitive translation in preserving the integrity of prophetic history, and offer recommendations for improving future translation efforts in the field of Islamic historiography.