Conceptualization of Sīra in Shia Hadiths Based on the Family Resemblance Model

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Mahdi Mardani Golestani ¹
• Mostafa Qanaatgar ²

¹ Assistant Professor at the Razavi Islamic Studies Research Center, Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi.

² Professor and researcher at the seminary of Khorasan

10.22067/jquran.2025.93023.1826

Abstract

Abstract: The conceptualization of religious terms is a significant research issue, as the accuracy and validity of research findings depend on their correctness and authenticity. " Sīra" is one of the terms that has been used extensively in Shia Hadith. This term suffers from ambiguity and obscurity in various aspects such as its nature, scope, structure, function, and synonymy. The present study has attempted to introduce some features that reveal the various dimensions of the concept of Sirah by utilizing the "family resemblance" model and applying it to the use of the word Sīra in Shia narrative texts. The result of this research shows that four characteristics—being an action, being social, being methodical, and being continuous—are the main attributes of Sirah in the Hadith, which are used to distinguish the conceptual Sirah from other similar words and also to identify its instances and concrete examples. Considering the mentioned conceptual features, the prototype of Sirah can be expressed as follows: " Sīra is the social action of an infallible (Ma'sum) that has the two characteristics of continuity and methodism." Contrary to the logical definition, these attributes are not exclusive, and perhaps examples can be found among the narrative instances of Sirah that lack some of the mentioned attributes. However, both in terms of frequency and abundance, and in terms of implication and semiotics, these four attributes play the greatest role in the formation of the concept of Sīra.

Keywords

• Conceptualization of Sīra in Shia
• Hadiths Based on the Family
• Resemblance Model

Main Subjects

• Quran and Hadith Studies

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