Strategic and Tactical Principles in Sun Tzu’s Art of War and the Military Strategies of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him): A Comparative Study

Abstract

Sirah is the source of guidance for all of the humanity, in all walks of the life, be it spiritual, or material. Like in other domains, He has set an eloquent example of a military commandership by not only giving high value moral and ethical war principals, but by victoriously leading His troops in a number of battlefields against enemy armies of different size and capabilities.  Sun Tzu was a Chinese general who not only lead his army in battles, but left behind him his strategic and tactical wisdom in the form of a book named "The Art of War” that is still considered valid and valuable in modern day warfare. The purpose and scope of this article is to conduct a comparative study to see the strategic and tactical methods. This study is carried out in accordance with the chapters of the Sun Tzu's book 'Art of War'. Only selected points, in each chapter have been analyzed in this regard. A critical analytical approach has been adopted in this study, using published authentic primary and secondary data and literature, reliable web sites, including consultations with the relevant scholars of the subject also. The article ends concluding that the prophet-hood of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) not only befits with, and stands parallel to the strategic and tactical acumen of Sun Tzu, but also exceeds in many ways as a war genius. While it has been recommended for further research.