as-Salihi ash-Shami

Muhammad ibn Yusuf ibn Ali as-Salihi ash-Shami (864-942 AH / 1460-1535 CE) was a Damascene Shafi'i scholar best known for his monumental work on the Prophetic biography. Born in Damascus, he studied Islamic sciences there under major scholars and devoted his scholarly career primarily to the study of the Seerah (biography of the Prophet ﷺ).

His monumental Subul al-Huda war-Rashad fi Sirat Khayr al-Ibad (The Paths of Guidance and Righteousness in the Biography of the Best of Servants) is one of the most comprehensive Seerah works ever compiled. Running to twelve large volumes in modern editions, it draws on all the available hadith literature and earlier Seerah works to present the most exhaustive possible account of the life of the Prophet ﷺ. It covers his birth, lineage, physical description, character, the events of his mission, and every aspect of his life in extraordinary detail.

The work is particularly notable for its extensive citation of hadith sources and its careful attention to authenticity. It also incorporates detailed thematic sections on the Prophet's character (shama'il) and the virtues of his Companions. Among its distinctive features is its systematic coverage of the locations and contexts of events in the Prophet's life ﷺ.

Subul al-Huda war-Rashad is regarded as one of the most authoritative and comprehensive references in Seerah literature. As-Salihi also authored other works on hadith and Islamic sciences. He passed away in Damascus in 942 AH, leaving behind a biographical legacy that has served generations of scholars studying the life of the Prophet ﷺ.