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Sira

World Religion
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The traditional biography of the Prophet Muhammad, detailing his life, character, and mission, serving as a key source for Islamic history and ethics.

Detailed Definition
Sira (often used interchangeably with Sirah) provides context for Quranic revelation and models of conduct. Classical works like Ibn Ishaq’s are foundational. In poetry, the Sira inspires devotional and narrative verse—recounting the Prophet’s mercy, courage, and wisdom. Poets draw on episodes like the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah or the Farewell Sermon to illustrate ideals of justice, compassion, and leadership rooted in divine guidance.
Example
Example in poetry:
A historical poem: “The Sīra is Ibn Ishaq’s tapestry—woven with battle, mercy, and moonlit revelations”; In a modern verse, “Reading the Sīra, I meet Muhammad not as icon, but as man who wept for orphans”; A minimalist reflection: “Sīra: biography as bridge”; A student’s note: “Sīra humanizes the Prophet—makes his sunnah feel attainable.”
Additional Notes
Sira (or As-Sira) refers to the biography of the Prophet Muhammad. The most famous and authoritative work is "Sirat Rasul Allah" by Ibn Ishaq (as preserved by Ibn Hisham). The Sira details the Prophet's life, character, battles, and interactions, providing crucial context for the Quran and the Sunnah. For scholars and poets, the Sira is a rich historical and narrative source, humanizing the Prophet and illustrating the birth of the Islamic community in Mecca and Medina.
Also Known As
As-Sira The Life Biography
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