Key Points
- Abdullah ibn Sa’d ibn Abi Sarh was a scribe for the Quran who doubted its divine origin after adding words that the Prophet Muhammad accepted.
- He apostatized, thinking the Quran was not from God, and later returned to Islam after Uthman’s intercession.
- The Prophet ordered his killing for apostasy, which was only stopped by Uthman’s intervention.
- This incident challenges the Quran’s divine status by suggesting human influence, and the killing order questions the Prophet’s “Rahmat ulil Aalameen” (Mercy to the Worlds) title.
- Uthman’s intercession raises concerns about the Prophet’s integrity, suggesting favoritism.
Who Was Abdullah ibn Sa’d ibn Abi Sarh?
Abdullah ibn Sa’d ibn Abi Sarh was a member of the Quraish tribe, specifically the Banu Amir ibn Lu’ayy clan, and a foster brother of Uthman ibn Affan, the third caliph. He converted to Islam early and served as a scribe, recording the Quran’s revelations as dictated by the Prophet Muhammad. His role was significant, given the importance of preserving the Quran during its compilation.
The Incident of Doubt and Apostasy
The critical incident occurred while Abdullah was writing Surah Muminun, verse 14: “Then We made the drop into a clot, and the clot into a lump, and the lump into bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed it into another creation. So blessed is God, the Best of Creators.” According to Tafsir al-Baidawi (The Story of Abdullah ibn Sa’d ibn Abi Sarh: Tafsir al-Baghawi), Abdullah added the phrase “So blessed be God, the Best of Creators!” in amazement, and the Prophet accepted it as part of the revelation. This led Abdullah to doubt, thinking, “If Muhammad is truthful, then I receive the revelation as much as he does, and if he is a liar, what I said is as good as what he said.” This doubt caused him to apostatize and return to Mecca, declaring the religion of the Meccans better (The Qur’an contains words by Abdullah ibn Sad Ibn Abi Sarh).
Challenging the Divine Status of the Quran
This incident directly challenges the Quran’s divine status. If the Quran is the unaltered word of God, how could a human scribe like Abdullah add words and have them accepted without correction? This suggests the possibility of human influence, undermining the belief that the Quran is purely divine. It implies that the text could be a product of human creativity rather than divine revelation, a significant blow to its sanctity (Abdullah ibn abi Sarh – Abdullah Sameer).
The Ordered Killing and Uthman’s Intercession
After the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet ordered Abdullah’s killing for his apostasy, listing him among a few individuals to be executed even if found under the Kaaba’s curtains (List of Killings Ordered or Supported by Muhammad – WikiIslam, Sunan an-Nasa’i 4067). This order was only rescinded when Uthman interceded, and Abdullah was brought to swear allegiance, with the Prophet initially hesitating but eventually accepting. This act of ordering the killing of an innocent person for questioning Islam directly challenges the Prophet’s title as “Rahmat ulil Aalameen” (Mercy to the Worlds), portraying him as intolerant of dissent.
Moreover, Uthman’s intercession, saving Abdullah due to their personal relationship, raises questions about the Prophet’s integrity. It suggests that the Prophet’s decisions could be swayed by the influence of wealthy or connected companions, undermining his impartiality and divine guidance (Muhammad and the Meccan Ten).
Survey Note: A Detailed Examination of Abdullah ibn Sa’d ibn Abi Sarh and His Impact on Islamic Narratives
Abdullah ibn Sa’d ibn Abi Sarh, a figure of historical and theological significance, serves as a lens through which to examine the divine status of the Quran and the character of the Prophet Muhammad. This note explores his role as a scribe, the incident leading to his apostasy, the subsequent order for his execution, and Uthman’s intercession, analyzing how these events challenge core Islamic beliefs. The analysis draws on Islamic texts, tafsir works, and historical accounts, with references to relevant sources.
Identity and Background
Abdullah ibn Sa’d ibn Abi Sarh was a member of the Banu Amir ibn Lu’ayy clan of the Quraish tribe, making him part of the elite Meccan society (Abd Allah ibn Sa’d – Wikipedia). He was a foster brother of Uthman ibn Affan, indicating close ties with influential figures. Converting to Islam early, he became a companion and served as a scribe, one of the 42 individuals tasked with recording the Quran’s revelations. His role was crucial during the compilation period, given the oral nature of early Islamic texts.
The Incident of Adding Words to the Quran
The pivotal incident is reported in Tafsir al-Baidawi, commenting on Surah Muminun, verse 14: “Then We made the drop into a clot, and the clot into a lump, and the lump into bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed it into another creation. So blessed is God, the Best of Creators.” According to al-Baidawi, during the dictation, Abdullah, in amazement at the details of man’s creation, added “So blessed be God, the Best of Creators!” The Prophet instructed him to write it down, accepting it as revelation. This is also mentioned in The Qur’an contains words by Abdullah ibn Sad Ibn Abi Sarh, where Abdullah’s reaction was, “If Muhammad is truthful, then I receive the revelation as much as he does, and if he is a liar, what I said is as good as what he said.”
This led to his apostasy, with reports suggesting he told the Meccans, “Your religion is better than his,” indicating a rejection of Islam’s divine claims (Abdullah ibn abi Sarh – Abdullah Sameer).
Challenge to the Divine Status of the Quran
This incident directly challenges the Quran’s divine status, a cornerstone of Islamic belief. If the Quran is the unaltered word of God, as claimed, how could a human scribe add words and have them accepted without correction? This suggests human influence, implying the text could be a product of Muhammad’s creativity or Abdullah’s input rather than divine revelation. This undermines the belief in its inerrancy and divine origin, a significant theological challenge (Abdullah ibn abi Sarh – Abdullah Sameer).
The Ordered Killing and Its Implications
After the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet ordered Abdullah’s execution, listing him among a few individuals to be killed even if found under the Kaaba’s curtains (List of Killings Ordered or Supported by Muhammad – WikiIslam). This is supported by hadith, such as Sunan an-Nasa’i 4067 (Sunan an-Nasa’i 4067 – The Book of Fighting [The Prohibition of Bloodshed] – Sunnah.com), where Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqaas reported that the Prophet granted safety to most but ordered the killing of Abdullah and others. This order was for apostasy, a direct response to his questioning of the Quran’s divine status.
This act challenges the Prophet’s title as “Rahmat ulil Aalameen” (Mercy to the Worlds), as ordering the killing of an innocent person for questioning Islam seems intolerant and contrary to mercy. It portrays the Prophet as silencing dissent, a whistleblower who exposed potential flaws in the revelation process (Muhammad and the Meccan Ten).
Uthman’s Intercession and Integrity Concerns
Uthman’s intercession saved Abdullah, bringing him to swear allegiance, with the Prophet initially refusing but later accepting due to Uthman’s plea. This act, while preserving Abdullah’s life, raises concerns about the Prophet’s integrity. It suggests that personal relationships, especially with wealthy or influential companions like Uthman, could influence the Prophet’s decisions, undermining his impartiality and divine guidance (Abdullah ibn abi Sarh – Abdullah Sameer).
Reports suggest the Prophet wished Abdullah had been killed, questioning why the Ansari did not act, indicating lingering resentment (Muhammad and the Meccan Ten). This favoritism, driven by Uthman’s status, challenges the notion of the Prophet’s actions being solely guided by divine will, suggesting human and political influences.
Conclusion
The incident of Abdullah ibn Sa’d ibn Abi Sarh, where he added words to the Quran and doubted its divine origin, directly challenges its sanctity by suggesting human influence. The Prophet’s order to kill him for apostasy, only rescinded through Uthman’s intercession, questions the “Rahmat ulil Aalameen” title and raises integrity concerns due to potential favoritism. These events, despite authenticity debates, are critical for examining the foundations of Islamic belief and the historical portrayal of the Prophet.