ʿAbdu ʾllāh ibn Saʿd (عبدالله بن سعد)
ʿAbdu ʾllāh ibn Saʿd (عبدالله بن سعد) was one of the scribes who served Prophet Muḥammad by writing down revelations of the Qurʾān. His role and the subsequent controversy surrounding him offer a complex glimpse into early Islamic history.
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: عبدالله بن سعد
- Turkish: Abdullah bin Sa’d
Role and Contributions
- Secretary to the Prophet: ʿAbdu ʾllāh ibn Saʿd was among the individuals appointed to transcribe the revelations dictated by Prophet Muḥammad.
- Incident of Sūrah xxiii. 12–14: The story that often stands out involves the verses from Surah Al-Muʾminun (23:12-14), where he exclaimed, “And blessed be God, the best of creators,” and was instructed by the Prophet to write it down. Claiming this statement as his inspiration, ʿAbdu ʾllāh later asserted that he had contributed to the Qur’anic text.
Controversy and Qur’anic Reference
The incident led to a significant controversy. His false claim of inspiration is referred to in the Qurʾān, Sūrah Al-Anʿam (6:93):
<p>“And who is more unjust than he who invents a lie about Allah or says, ‘It has been inspired to me,’ while it was not inspired to him at all, and who says, ‘I will reveal something like what Allah revealed.’…”</p>
This verse is often interpreted as a rebuke to individuals like ʿAbdu ʾllāh ibn Saʿd who falsely claimed divine inspiration.
Takeaways
- Significance in Islamic history: ʿAbdu ʾllāh ibn Saʿd’s story reveals early challenges in safeguarding the authenticity of the Qurʾānic text.
- Ethical Lessons: The incident underscores the importance Islam places on truthfulness, especially in matters of divine revelation.
- Qurʾānic validation: The reference in the Qurʾān acts as a validation of the prophetic mission’s authenticity and the mechanisms to protect its sanctity.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Sealed Nectar” by Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri
- “Prophetic Biography: Al-Sira al-Nabawiyya” by Ibn Hisham, edited by Abdullah El-Asai
- “Introduction to the Qur’an” by M.A. Draz
- “The History of the Qurʾānic Text” by Muhammad Mustafa Al-A’zami
Conclusion
ʿAbdu ʾllāh ibn Saʿd’s contributions and subsequent controversies highlight a crucial aspect of early Islamic history: the efforts to ensure the integrity of the Qur’anic text and the ethical emphasis on truthfulness. His story serves as a key reminder within the Islamic tradition of the gravity and sanctity involved in conveying divine revelation.
By learning the history and nuance behind figures like ʿAbdu ʾllāh ibn Saʿd, we gain a deeper understanding of Islamic heritage and the value it places on ethical conduct and the preservation of truth.
