Arabic original of the below article
Abdullah bin Sa'd
Before we get into what the
author of the response to our article (see here) said in detail, there are some things that should be clarified:
1. All sources used in this
article are Islamic, the ones on our side of the story and the ones on the side
of the author's story. Sometimes the both of us even use the same source. Yet in
spite of that, we see that there are great differences in the opinions reached.
I think that this is attributed to the differences and conflicting stories in
the Islamic sources themselves. This gives the opportunity to both us and the
author of the response to quote whatever backs up the point each is trying to
prove, but this method doesn't give us the facts we really want to
arrive at.
2. It is clear that the author
of the response did the exact same thing he criticizes us of doing; for he
himself quotes certain sources while ignoring others.
3. It is well known in the
Science of the Quran ('Ulum Al-Quran) that it is possible
for verses to be sent down (revealed) more than once (for different
occasions), and it's even possible for the reason of the revelation
(Sabab Al-Nuzool) of the same verse to be repeated. (See "Al-Itqan fi 'Ulum Al-Quran" by Al-Suyooti - the chapter "fasl" of the knowing of the reason of revelation "ma'rifat sabab al-nuzool", and the chapter "fasl" of what was revealed more than once "ma takarrara
nuzuluhu")
Now, let's investigate the
given response.
The author objects to us
saying that the reason for revealing (sabab al-nuzool) of verse
89 of Surat Al-An'aam was Abdullah bin Sarh, yet he doesn't give us a satisfactory answer to
what's written in "Asbab Annuzool" by Al-Wahidi, and in Tafseer
Al-Tabari of the same verse. What they said is the following:
Al-Wahidi: his
saying [Allah's saying in the Quran], "Who can be more wicked than one who inventeth a lie
against Allah" to the end of this verse. This verse was
revealed about Musaylamah Al-Kathaab (the Liar) Al-Hanafi, he recited poetry,
prophesied and claimed prophethood...
While his
saying [Allah's saying in the Quran] "I can reveal the like of what Allah
hath revealed" was revealed about Abdullah bin Sa'd bin Abi Sarh. He
confessed Islam. The Messenger of Allah invited him once so that he could write
him something, so when the verse which is in Surat Al-Mou'mineen "Man We did create from a quintessence
(of clay)" was recited, he [Mohammad] dictated it to him
[Abdullah]. When Mohammad finished by saying "We developed out of it another
creature", Abdullah was amazed by this detail in the creation
of man and said, "So blessed be Allah, the Best to create!", so the
Messenger of Allah said, "That's how it was revealed to me". So
Abdullah doubted then and said [to himself], "If Mohammad were truthful,
then I was revealed what he was revealed. And if he were a liar, then I said
what he said." (See "Asbaab Al-Nuzool" by Al-Wahidi
Al-Naysaboori - Page 126 - Beirut's Cultural Libary Edition "Tub'at
Al-Maktabah Al-thakafiyyah Beirut" - No date)
Al-Tabari: The One whose
name is Exalted (Allah) means in his saying "Who doth more wrong than such as invent a falsehood
against Allah" and "Who doth more wrong and who is more ignorant than
such as invent a falsehood against Allah" referring to those
who invent falsehood against Allah and claim to be a Prophet and a Warner, and
he [the person who claims] is false in his claims, and lying in his sayings. In
this, God is ridiculing the Pagan Arabs, and (ridiculing) the opposing of
Abdullah bin Sa'd bin Abi Al-Sarh and the Hanafite Musaylamah
to the Prophet of Allah (SAW). For one of them claimed prophethood
and the other claimed that he came up with something similar to what the
Messenger of Allah (SAW) came with [the Quran], and at
the same time denying the lying and false claims against his Prophet Mohammad
(SAW).
The people of the
interpretations (scholars) had different opinions about that; some of them said
what we said [agreed with us]. Among those are:
Al-Qasim told us:
Al-Hussein narrated: Al-Hajjaj narrated: by Ibn Jurayh, by Ikrimah:
His saying [Allah's saying in
the Quran], "Who
doth more wrong than such as invent a falsehood against Allah, or said: 'I have
received inspiration,' when he hath received none". He
[Ikrimah] said: This verse was revealed about Musaylamah the brother of Bani
(children of) Uday bin Haneefah, for he [Musaylamah] was reciting poetry and
prophesying. And "I can reveal like what Allah hath
revealed" was revealed about Abdullah bin Sa'd bin Abi Al-Sarh,
the brother of Bani (children of) Amir bin Lu'ai. He [Abdullah] used to write
for the Prophet (SAW), and while he [Mohammad] was dictating
"Exalted in power, full of
Wisdom", he [Abdullah] would write it "Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful", thus changing it. Then he [Abdullah] would read the changed
verses to him [Mohammad], and he [Mohammad] would say, "Yes [in approval],
it's the same [meaning]". So he [Abdullah] reverted from Islam and followed
Quraysh telling them, "He [Mohammad] used to recite to me Exalted in power,
full of Wisdom', and I would change it when I write it down, and he would tell
me, 'Yes [in approval], it's the same [meaning]." But then he [Abdullah]
came back to Islam before the conquering (fath) of Mecca, while the
Prophet (SAW) was at Mur [a place in Arabia - on his way to
Mecca].
And some said: This
verse was indeed revealed about Abdullah bin Sa'd in particular. Among
those are:
Mohammad bin Al-Hussein spoke to me, he
said: Ahmad bin Al-Mufdil narrated: Asbat narrated from Al-Sudy: "Who doth more wrong than such as invent a
falsehood against Allah, or said: "I have received inspiration,' when he
hath received none..." until his [Allah] saying,
"ye receive your reward, a
penalty of shame". He [Al-Sudy] said: This verse was
revealed about Abdullah bin Sa'd bin Abi Al-Sarh, he embraced Islam, and used to
write [Quran revelations] for the Prophet (SAW). So when the Prophet
dictated him: "Who heareth
and knoweth all things", he'd write it: "All-Knowing,
All-Wise". So he doubted and reverted. Then he said, "If Mohammad gets
inspiration, then I get inspiration too, and if Allah sent him his revelation
then I was sent the same thing. For when Mohammad said, 'Who heareth and knoweth all things' I'd
say, 'All-Knowing, All-Wise'" So he followed the Pagans, and he blew the
cover of Ammar and Jubar [secret Muslims] to Ibn Al-Hudrumi or to Bani Abd
Al-Dar, so they took them and tortured them until they reverted. Ammar's ear was
cut off that day, so he [Ammar] went to the Prophet (SAW) and told him
what had happened to him, but the Prophet (SAW) refused to handle his
issue. So Allah revealed about [Abdullah] Ibn Abi Al-Sarh and his companions,
"Anyone who, after
accepting Faith in Allah, utters Unbelief, - except under compulsion, his heart
remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their breast to Unbelief, on them is
Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty" Who
was "under
compulsion" is Ammar and his companions, and who
"open their breast to
Unbelief" is [Abdullah] Ibn Abi
Al-Sarh.
Other said: The person who's
referred to as saying "I
have received inspiration, when he hath received none" Is
Musaylamah Al-Kathaab (the Liar). Among those are:
Bishr bin Mu'aath spoke to us,
he said: Yazeed bin Rabea' narrated: Sa'eed narrated Qutadah, he said:
"I have received
inspiration,' when he hath received none, or (again) who saith, 'I can reveal
like of what Allah hath revealed" This verse was revealed about
Musaylamah Al-Kathaab (the Liar). It was narrated to us that the Prophet of
Allah (SAW) said, "I saw in my sleep two golden bracelets around
my arms, they started to grow bigger and bigger and became a burden on me. So I
was inspired to blow on them - I did and they flew away. I interpreted my dream
that they [the bracelets] are the two Liars I'm between: The Liar of Al-Yamamah
Musaylamah, and the Liar of San'aa Al-Ansi." And he [Al-Ansi] was called
Al-Aswad.
Mohammad bin Abd Al-Aa'laa
spoke to us, he said: Mohammad bin Thawr narrated Mu'mar who narrated Qutadah,
he said: "I have received
inspiration,' when he hath received none" was revealed about
Musaylamah.
Al-Hasan bin Yahya spoke to us,
he said: Abd Al-Razaaq informed us: Mu'mar narrated Qutadah, and he added to it:
And the Zuhri told me that the Prophet (SAW) said, "I saw in my
sleep two golden bracelets around my arms, they started to grow bigger and
bigger and became a burden on me. So I was inspired to blow on them - I did and
they flew away. I interpreted my dream that they [the bracelets] are the two
Liars I'm between: The Liar of Al-Yamamah Musaylamah, and the Liar of San'aa
Al-Ansi."
The opinion I believe which
has more credibility than the others is to say: Allah said, "Who can be more wicked
than one who inventeth a lie against Allah, or said: 'I have received
inspiration,' when he hath received none". There is no
disagreement between the Scholars of the Ummah (nation) that Ibn Abi Sarh was
one of those who said, "I had said like [what] Mohammad [said].", and
that he reverted from Islam and followed the Pagans. There is no doubt that what
he said was lies. And there is also no disagreement between all [the Scholars]
that Musaylamah and Al-Ansi the Liars claimed falsehood against Allah by saying
that he sent them as Prophets; for each of them had said that Allah inspired
them, and they are lying in their claims. (See
Al-Tabari in the commentary of the verse - from the Encyclopedia of the Quran
"Mawsoo'at Al-Quran" - Al-Areesh Company for Computers
"Sharikat Al-Areesh lil-computer" - Beirut -
1998).
Even though the author mentioned
these texts and even may have read them, he totally ignored them. Yet the
problem is still standing, and we didn't invent these texts - we just copied
them.
The author did
the same thing when he talked about 'Ilm Urrijaal (the Science of the Folk); he
quoted Usuud Ulghaabah while ignoring the others. So we refute his
book with another book, for Ibn Ab Al-Sarh's biography was in "Al-Isaabah
fi Tamyeez Al-Sahabah" (Volume 4, Page 109, kaf = 0, ba' = 0, ha' = 4714)
(from the Encyclopedia of the Prophet's Hadeeth "Mawsoo'at Al-Hadeeth
Al-Nabawi" - Al-Areesh Company for Computers "Sharikat Al-Areesh
lil-computer" - Beirut - 1998).
Abdullah bin Sa'd bin Abi Sarh bin Al-Harith Abu Yahya Al-Qurashi Al-Amiri
4714 ----
Abdullah bin Sa'd bin Abi Al-Sarh bin Al-Harith bin Habeeb Bilmuhmlah Musghira
bin Huthafah bin Malik bin Hasl bin Amir bin Lu'ai Al-Qurashi Al-Amiri, and some
inserted [into his genealogy] Huthafa and Malik Nasra. The first one is more
famous and his Kunyah is Aba Yahya. He [Abdullah] was Othman's [the fourth
Caliph] brother by nursing (rida'ah), and his mother was Ash'ariyyah (Al-Zubayr
bin Bikar said that). Ibn Sa'd said that her mother is Muhabah bint Jaber. Ibn
Habban said that his father was one of Quraysh's hypocrite infidels - that's
what he said and I haven't seen any other [view]. Al-Hakim narrated from
Al0suday, by Mus'ab bin Sa'd by his father, "When it was the day of the
conquering (fath) of Mecca, the Prophet gave safety to all its people except for
four men and two women; Ikrimah, Ibn Khatl, Maqees bin Subabah, and Ibn Abi
Al-Sarh." He went on with the Hadeeth and said, "As for Abdullah, he
hid with Othman, so he [Othman] came to the Prophet with him, while he
[Mohammad] was making vows of allegiance (bay'ah) with the people. So Othman
said, 'O Messenger of Allah, make a vow of allegiance (bay'ah) with Abdullah.'
And so he did after three attempts. Then he [Mohammad] went to his companions
and said, 'Isn't there any honorable man among you who would stand and kill him
[Abdullah] when he saw me refusing to make the vow with him?'" And from
Yazeed Al-Nahwi by Ikrimah by Ibn Abbas who said, "Abdullah bin Sa'd used
to write for the Prophet, so Satan made him err and he followed the infidels.
The Prophet ordered his death (meaning of the day of Conquering Mecca), but
Othman intervened and asked for his safety, so the Prophet kept him safe [didn't
kill him]."
And we ask again, why does the author of the
response ignore this text?
Finally we say that the problem is still
standing. Knowing or not knowing much about the beginnings of Abdullah's coming
to Islam doesn't change a thing. Whether Abdullah's Islam was good after he came
back to Islam or whether he did that to gain the material gains Othman was
renown for giving to his relatives (notice that Abdullah ruled Egypt during
Othman's reign, but left it afterwards) also doesn't change a thing. So let me
present you with the main problem again:
There was a companion scribe of
Mohammad. Mohammad used to dictate him what he wants until he told him to write
what he likes. Later Mohammad ordered his death, but his brother in nursing
(Othman) asked for his safety and it was granted.
This story appears a lot in many
(Quran) commentaries, and in many Hadeeth collections - and all these sources
are Islamic.
The proposed solution by the
author with is to criticize the chain of narrators of the Hadeeth creates
another problem for the Muslims; which is the ability to trust most Islamic
sources. For if we find a Saheeh (correct) text at one of those sources, we'll
find it Da'eef (week) at another - until we come to Al-Bukhari (who is the Imam
of the Hadeeth with the Sunni Muslims, and not the Shi'a). If we criticize the
history of the revelation of this verse, then it will do us no good because
of the existence of all the other stories which back up the Islamically-not-so-liked
story.