The Book’s Structure and Contents

In its present form, the book contains the following sections:

1. The author’s introduction (1/ 5 - 52).
2. Chapters on the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his guidance concerning clothing, eating, drinking and relations with his wives; sleeping, waking, sitting, riding and walking; buying, selling and other dealings; relieving oneself; the natural disposition and related practices; and his speech, silence and sermons (1/ 53 - 207).
3. His guidance (peace and blessings be upon him) in acts of worship (1/ 208 - 683), followed by (2/ 5 - 550).
4. His guidance (peace and blessings be upon him) in jihad, military campaigns, detachments and missions, and his correspondence with kings and others (3/ 5 - 881).
5. His guidance (peace and blessings be upon him) in medicine (4/ 5 - 616).
6. His guidance (peace and blessings be upon him) in judicial decisions and rulings (5/ 5 - 592) and (6/ 5 - 531).

But did the book turn out as the author envisaged when he began it? This requires some examination and reflection. We therefore say:

The author concluded his introduction with these words:

“These are a few brief words whose knowledge is indispensable to anyone with even the slightest desire to know his Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), his life and his guidance. They arose from a weary mind, with all its troubles and shortcomings, drawing upon a meagre stock of wares for which the doors of the halls remain closed and over which no competitors vie. They were written down while travelling, rather than settled in one place, with my heart pulled in every direction and my energies scattered far and wide. No book is at hand, nor is there anyone with whom discussion might open the door to knowledge ...”