Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar) is a biography (seerah) of the Prophet Muhammad, written in Arabic by the Indian Islamic scholar Saifur Rahman Mubarakpuri. 

Key Facts

• Title Origin: The name translates to "The Sealed Nectar," which comes from a phrase in Verse 25 of Surah Al-Mutaffifin in the Quran, "They will be given to drink of a pure wine, sealed". 

• Recognition: The book won first prize in 1979 in a global competition hosted by the Muslim World League (Rabitat al-Alam al-Islami) in Mecca for the best biography of the Prophet Muhammad.

• Content: It provides a comprehensive, chronological account of the life of the Prophet Muhammad, detailing Arabia's pre-Islamic background, the early years of Islam, key military campaigns, and the establishment of the early Muslim community.

• Style: It is widely praised for relying on authentic historical sources while maintaining an accessible, narrative structure, making it a standard introductory text for students of Islamic history.

Below is a list of the primary sources, classical references, and foundational Islamic texts cited throughout the work.

Key Sources & Classical References Cited

Mubarakpuri utilizes a methodology that prioritizes authentic Hadith literature and classical historical chronicles, cross-referencing narrations to establish chronological accuracy.

1. Primary Scriptural Sources

• The Holy Quran: Serves as the ultimate primary authority for historical contexts, revelations, and major events (such as the Battles of Badr, Uhud, and the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah).

• Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim: The two most authoritative compilations of Hadith (Sahihayn), cited extensively for direct quotes, personal accounts of the Companions (Sahabah), and detailed event timelines.

• Other Sunan Works: Hadith collections including Sunan Abu Dawood, Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Sunan an-Nasa'i, Sunan Ibn Majah, and the Musnad of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal.

2. Classical Seerah (Prophetic Biography) Masterworks

• Al-Seerah al-Nabawiyyah by Ibn Hisham: The edited version of Ibn Ishaq's original work (Sirat Rasul Allah), recognized as the earliest surviving comprehensive biography of the Prophet.

• Zad al-Ma'ad by Ibn al-Qayyim: Used heavily for its analytical insights into the legal, spiritual, and strategic rulings derived from the Prophet's life.

• Al-Sira al-Nabawiyyah by Ibn Kathir: Utilized for its rigor in Hadith analysis and integration with Quranic commentary (Tafsir).

3. Classical Islamic History & Biographical Dictionaries

• Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk (History of the Prophets and Kings) by al-Tabari: Cited for foundational background on pre-Islamic Arabia, lineage, and regional politics.

• Tabaqat al-Kubra by Ibn Sa'd: Referenced for details regarding the personal lives, traits, and biographical entries of individual Companions and family members (Ahl al-Bayt).

• Dala'il al-Nubuwwah by al-Bayhaqi: Cited for narrations detailing signs of prophethood and historical miracles.