Representation of Muhammad in The Message 1976 and Sirah Nabawiyah

Abstract

The representation of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in visual media is a significant issue because it relates to the construction of meaning, culture, and ideology. However, previous research has focused more on theoretical depictions of the Prophet without considering their context, and there has been little research comparing the representation of the Prophet Muhammad in visual media and religious texts. This study aims to analyze the representation of the Prophet Muhammad in the film The Message and the Sirah Nabawiyah using Stuart Hall’s theory of representation and Edward Said’s theory of Orientalism, employing a descriptive qualitative method and a comparative approach through the analysis of dialogue, narrative, and cinematic techniques. The results show that the film constructs the Prophet’s representation through intermediary characters, a narrator, and Western dramatic structures, whereas Sirah Nabawiyah focuses more on historical and religious aspects. This study concludes that the representation of the Prophet Muhammad is influenced by various factors, including the author’s cultural background.