Musailamah (مسيلمة)
Musailamah (مسيلمة), also known as Musailamatu ʾl-Kaẕẕāb or “Musailamah the Liar,” was a notable figure in early Islamic history who claimed prophetic status during the time of Prophet Muhammad. His story is a striking example of the challenges faced by early Muslims from false claimants to prophethood.
Etymology
The name Musailamah is a diminutive form of the Arabic name Muslim, possibly intended to be pejorative. The epithet Kaẕẕāb means “the Liar” in Arabic (كذاب), which was appended to his name to distinguish him as a false prophet.
Arabic and Turkish Translations
- Arabic: مسيلمة الكذاب (Musailamat al-Kadhib)
- Turkish: Müseyleme el-Kezzâb
Historical Context
Musailamah emerged as a significant figure in the ninth year of the Hijrah (approximately 630 CE). He initially professed Islam and was part of an embassy sent to Prophet Muhammad by his tribe. However, upon returning home, he entertained ambitions of sharing power with Muhammad. By the following year, Musailamah declared himself a co-prophet, claiming to have the same mission to guide humanity away from idolatry and toward the worship of the singular true God.
Claim to Prophethood
Musailamah circulated his own written revelations, which mimicked the style of the Qur’an. One such passage, recorded by Abū ʾl-Faraj, reads: “Now hath God been gracious unto her that was with child, and hath brought forth from her the soul which runneth between the peritonœum and the bowels.”
Letter to Prophet Muhammad
Musailamah sent a letter to Muhammad, suggesting a partnership in their prophetic missions: “From Musailamah, the Apostle of God, to Muhammad, the Apostle of God. Now let the earth be half mine and half thine.”
In response, Muhammad affirmed the singularity of his divine appointment: “From Muhammad, the Apostle of God, to Musailamah, the Liar. The earth is God’s; He giveth the same for inheritance unto such of His servants as He pleaseth; and the happy issue shall attend those who fear Him.”
Battle and Downfall
Following Muhammad’s death, Musailamah gained significant support but was ultimately confronted by a Muslim army under the command of K͟hālid ibn al-Walid. In a decisive battle in the eleventh year of the Hijrah, Musailamah was killed by Waḥshī, the same warrior who had slain Muhammad’s uncle Ḥamzah at Uḥud. The death of Musailamah led to the swift collapse of his movement, with many of his followers returning to Islam.
Books for Further Study
- The History of al-Tabari: The War Against the Apostates - al-Tabari
- The Life of Muhammad - Ibn Ishaq, translated by Alfred Guillaume
- The Succession to Muhammad - Wilferd Madelung
Takeaways and Conclusion
- Musailamah represents one of the most significant challenges to early Islamic unity.
- His claim to prophethood, adoption of Qur’anic style revelations, and subsequent downfall highlight the early Muslim community’s struggle to maintain orthodoxy.
- The swift military and theological response to Musailamah underscores the early Islamic leadership’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the prophetic message.
Musailamah’s story serves as a vivid historical lesson in the importance of leadership, unity, and abiding by theological orthodoxy within Islam.
