Is the Sealed Nectar a Recommended Book?

Answered by Shaykh Shuaib Ally

Question: My question is regarding the book written by Safi ur-Rahman Mubarakpuri, Al-Rahiq al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar). It is a biography of our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). I think this writer is not from Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah. Can you give me your opinion on this book?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

The Sealed Nectar, or al-Rahiq al-Makhtum, is an excellent book on the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him), based on authentic sources. It covers the period before the Prophet’s life (peace be upon him) to set the stage for his blessed life, and then considers the stages of his life in Makkah and Madinah.

It has been translated from Arabic into many languages, and remains one of the more widely read biographies available in English. You should read and benefit from it.

The author is most certainly a Muslim.

Shuaib Ally