An Introduction to methodology of Kulaini in citing the Prophet Muhammad's biography Relying on " Mawlid al-Nabi" section of Kitab al-Kafi

One of the oldest and most important of Shiite hadith sources which studies Prophet’s life is Al-Kafi by Kulaini. Kulaini in section “Mawlid al-Nabi” have chosen 40 traditions from the large number of remained traditions. In this study, we are trying to find the method and rhyme of Kulaini in selecting this hadiths; and also to find the influence of Kulaini’s contemporary views on his work. By Textual and Documentary Investigation of “Mawlid al-Nabi” we conclude that the purpose and the main concern of Kulaini was not just historical survey, but to demonstrate the Prophet’s characteristics and capabilities and to present divine Proofs (Hojjat). Kulaini chose the midmost way between two widely held views about dignity of innocents. One view Emphasis on ultra-human characteristics and other one insistence on human characteristics. He paid special attention to unusual aspects of the Prophet and gathered more traditions to strengthen this aspect.