Alnaqd waltahlil lilriwayat altaarikhiat fi kutub almustashriqin lilsiyrat alnabawiat kharayit aleasr alraashidii

Abstract

Abstract:                                                                                        

This research, entitled “Criticism and Analysis of Historical Narratives in Orientalist Writings on the Prophetic Biography and the History of the Rashidun Era,” is considered one of the important topics in Orientalist studies. Orientalist scholarship has not been limited to academic research alone; rather, it has extended to historical narratives that have played a significant role in shaping the image of the East in Western consciousness. In these historical narratives, Orientalists have often portrayed the East as a mysterious world full of contradictions, combining elements of magic and backwardness. This image has appeared in the works of several Western writers who addressed topics related to the Arab and Islamic world. With the development of critical studies in the twentieth century, Orientalism began to be viewed as a discourse carrying ideological dimensions, linked to cultural and political dominance, rather than as a purely objective field of study. In contrast, modern trends have emerged seeking to present the East in a more balanced and realistic manner, whether through critical Western writers or Arab authors writing in global languages. This has contributed to dismantling the stereotypical images established by Orientalist narratives. The history of Orientalism in historical narratives reflects the intersection of literature with politics and culture, as these works were not merely artistic productions but tools that contributed to shaping global perceptions of the East. This calls for a conscious and critical reading of such works. This study examines the positions of some Orientalist writers regarding the Prophetic biography and the history of the Rashidun era, highlighting the most important topics they addressed, and responding to and refuting those narratives. Due to the importance of this topic, the study also provides an explanation of the concept of Orientalism, including its definition in both linguistic and terminological contexts, its origins and development, its motives and themes, as well as the (stance) of Orientalists toward the Prophetic biography and the Rashidun period.