Tabaʿu ʾt-Tābiʿīn (تبع التابعين)
Definition
Tabaʿu ʾt-Tābiʿīn (Arabic: تبع التابعين) refers to “the followers of the followers.” In Islamic tradition, these are the individuals who had direct interactions with the Tābiʿūn, the generation of Muslims who followed and took from the Companions of the Prophet Muḥammad.
Etymology
The term is derived from:
- Arabic:
- Tabaʿu (تبع) meaning “follower” or “follows.”
- al-Tābiʿīn (التابعين) meaning “the followers [of the Companions].” Thus, Tabaʿu ʾt-Tābiʿīn literally translates to “the followers of the followers.”
Significance in Islamic Tradition
The historical and religious significance of the Tabaʿu ʾt-Tābiʿīn lies in their role in the transmission of Hadith (sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad). While their narrations are considered reliable, they are generally accorded a lesser degree of authenticity compared to the narrations of the contemporaries of the Prophet (Ṣaḥābah) and the Tābiʿūn.
Hierarchy of Transmission
- Ṣaḥābah (صحابة): The Companions who directly saw and interacted with the Prophet.
- Tābiʿūn (تابعون): The followers who met and learned directly from the Ṣaḥābah.
- Tabaʿu ʾt-Tābiʿīn (تبع التابعين): The generation who followed the Tābiʿūn and learned from them.
Role in Hadith Compilation
Traditions or Hadiths conveyed by the Tabaʿu ʾt-Tābiʿīn are collected and studied, but they hold a slightly lesser place in the authenticity hierarchy of Islamic jurisprudence and theology compared to those from Ṣaḥābah and Tābiʿūn. Their narrations help in forming a comprehensive understanding of the early Islamic community, its practices, and religious orthodoxy.
Translations
- Arabic: تبع التابعين (Tabaʿu ʾt-Tābiʿīn)
- Turkish: Tabi’in’in Tabiileri
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Introduction to the Science of Hadith” by Ibn Ṣalāḥ
- “The Preservation of the Qur’an and Sunnah: A Comprehensive Guide” by Abu Ammar Yasir Qadhi
- “Hadith: Muhammad’s Legacy in the Medieval and Modern World” by Jonathan A.C. Brown
- “Studies in Early Hadith Literature” by M.M. Azami
Conclusion
The Tabaʿu ʾt-Tābiʿīn played a critical role in the preservation and transmission of Islamic teaching and traditions. As the bridge between the Tābiʿūn and subsequent Islamic scholarship, they serve as an essential yet slightly secondary source of Islamic knowledge. Understanding their position helps in appreciating the chain of narrations and the meticulous manner in which Islamic teachings were preserved.
Takeaways
- Tabaʿu ʾt-Tābiʿīn represents the third generation in the chain of Islamic transmission.
- They serve as a significant link in the preservation and propagation of Hadith.
- Their narrations, while valuable, are considered less authoritative than those of the Ṣaḥābah and Tābiʿūn.
- Studying their contributions provides a broader and more nuanced understanding of early Islamic history and jurisprudence.
