Siyar is the plural of the noun ''sira'', and literally means a “path”, or “way of walking”. In the singular, sira is used by chroniclers to account to one's life or biography, most specifically to the conduct of an individual. In Islamic traditions, it is a discipline of the

Islamic law Sharia, Sharī'ah, Shari'a, or Shariah () is a body of religious law that forms a part of the Islamic tradition based on scriptures of Islam, particularly the Qur'an and hadith. In Islamic terminology ''sharīʿah'' refers to immutable, intan ...

which covers issues of

law of war The law of war is a component of international law that regulates the conditions for initiating war (''jus ad bellum'') and the conduct of hostilities (''jus in bello''). Laws of war define sovereignty and nationhood, states and territories, ...

and international relations, describing Muslim states in relation with communities of believers and nonbelievers alike. The word ''siyar'' dates originally from the late Umayyad period when the term had the connotation of “position of the school or sect” or “opinion” on a creedal or political question. This genre was well known among the Islamic groups who rebelled against the Umayyads such as the Muhakkimah, Zaydis, Murji’ites and

Ibadi Ibadism (, ) is a school of Islam concentrated in Oman established from within the Kharijites. The followers of the Ibadi sect are known as the Ibadis or, as they call themselves, The People of Truth and Integrity (). Ibadism emerged around 6 ...

s. Most of the ''siyar'' convey the viewpoint of the

school A school is the educational institution (and, in the case of in-person learning, the Educational architecture, building) designed to provide learning environments for the teaching of students, usually under the direction of teachers. Most co ...

and consist of homilies, epistles, addressed to the fellowship of the believers. These epistles are read out aloud by the preacher, setting out what ought or ought not to be believed, as well as those deeds that ought or ought not to be done. The exhortations at the beginning of the ''siyar'' are relatively long and reflect the social context of their time. The ''siyar'' that have so far been reviewed and edited are from what is referred to as the “Basra period”; most of them were written in

Iraq Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...

, while some of the others were produced during the “regional period” – i.e. “abroad”.Michael Cock, Early Muslim Dogma, p. Cambridge University Press, 1981.

References

Islamic literature Literary genres Military justice Law of war International law Military history of Islam Violence against Muslims {{Islam-stub