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'@@ -1,36 +1,53 @@ {{Short description|Event shortly before Muhammad's death}} -{{Arabicterm -|arabic = حديث القلم والورقة -|arabic_rom = Hadith el-qalami wal waraqa -|literal meaning = The Hadith of the Pen and the Paper -}} -{{Muhammad}} +{{hadith}} {{Islam}} -The '''Hadith of Pen and Paper''' refers to the incident in which the [[Prophets in Islam|Islamic prophet]] [[Muhammad]] expressed a wish to issue a statement shortly before his death, but was prevented from doing so. The contents of the statement, the manner of the prevention, as well as Muhammad's reaction to it are matters of dispute among various sources. +The '''Hadith of Pen and Paper''' ({{Lang-ar|حديث القلم والورقة|translit=hadith el-qalami wal waraqa}}) refers to the incident in which the [[Muhammad|Islamic prophet Muhammad]] expressed a wish to issue a written statement shortly before his death, possibly on a Thursday, but was prevented from doing so. Muhammad's intentions are debated though it is commonly believed that the statement would have been about his successor. Possibly because of its ramifications throughout the history of Islam, some have referred to this incident as the Calamity of Thursday ({{lang-ar|رزية يوم الخميس|raziyat yawm al-khamis}}). -This incident is also referred to as the Calamity of Thursday ({{lang-ar|رزية يوم الخميس|Raziyat Yawm al-Khamis}}), in view of its ramifications throughout the Muslim world.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Abbas|2021|p=89}}</ref> +==Narration== -==Narration== -Muhammad became ill in 11 [[Islamic calendar|AH]] (632 [[Common Era|CE]]) and his health took a serious turn for the worse on a Thursday, when he asked for writing materials: "I need to write something so that you will not go astray when I am gone."<ref>{{Harvtxt|Abbas|2021|p=89}}. {{Harvtxt|Hazleton|2009|p=48}}</ref> [[Omar|Umar]], a senior companion of Muhammad, is said to have intervened, telling those present that Muhammad was raving and adding that, "You have the [[Quran]], the book of God is sufficient for us," as quoted in ''[[Sahih al-Bukhari]]''.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Madelung|1997|p=41}}. {{Harvtxt|Momen|1985|pp=15, 16}}. {{Harvtxt|Miskinzoda|2014}}. {{Harvtxt|Abbas|2021|p=89}}. {{Harvtxt|Hazleton|2009|p=50}}</ref> The sources report that a quarrel then broke out at Muhammad's bedside, with some suggesting that Muhammad's orders should be followed and some siding with Umar to disregard Muhammad's request.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Hazleton|2009|p=50}}. {{Harvtxt|Abbas|2021|p=89}}</ref> The noise apparently pained Muhammad, who scolded those present by his bedside: "Go away and leave me."<ref>{{Harvtxt|Miskinzoda|2014}}. {{Harvtxt|Hazleton|2009|p=50}}</ref> +=== Muhammad's request === +Muhammad became ill in 11 [[Islamic calendar|AH]] (632 [[Common Era|CE]]) and his condition worsened reportedly on a Thursday,{{sfn|Abbas|2021|p=89}} when he asked for writing materials so that he would "write something, after which you will not be led into error," as related on the authority of [[Ibn Abbas]] in the canonical Sunni collection ''[[Sahih al-Bukhari]].''{{Sfn|Momen|1985|pp=15-6}} + +=== Umar's objection === +The account in ''Sahih al-Bukhari'' continues that Muhammad's [[Companions of the Prophet|companion]] [[Umar]] protested, "The illness has overwhelmed the prophet. We have the book of God [<nowiki/>[[Quran]]] and that is enough for us."{{Sfn|Momen|1985|p=16}}{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}}{{sfn|Abbas|2021|p=89}} According to another report by the Sunni [[Ibn Sa'd]] ({{Died in|230/845}}), Umar instead told those present that Muhammad was raving,{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} as noted also by [[Wilferd Madelung|Madelung]].{{sfn|Madelung|1997|p=22}} That Muhammad was told he was delirious also appears in another report by Ibn Sa'd, transmitted similarly by the Sunni [[al-Tabari]] ({{Died in|310/923}}), though this second report is silent about who made that comment. The Sunni [[Ibn Kathir]] ({{Died in|774/1373}}) removes Umar from his report altogether, possibly fearing its negative implications.{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} -Some sources add that Muhammad later left three oral instructions for [[Muslims]] in lieu of a written statement, which have been recorded differently by different authors.<ref name=":93">{{Harvtxt|Miskinzoda|2014}}. {{Harvtxt|Hazleton|2009|p=50}}</ref> In his ''Tabaqat al-Kubra'', [[Ibn Sa'd]] writes that two of these instructions were to drive away the [[Shirk (Islam)|polytheists]] from [[Arabian Peninsula|Arabia]], and to accept delegations in the same manner as he had done.<ref name=":0">{{Harvtxt|Miskinzoda|2014}}</ref> The third recommendation is absent and, according to Ibn Sa'd, might have been forgotten by his source. [[Al-Tabari]] and [[Ibn Kathir]] report these instructions similarly.<ref name=":0" /> Alternatively, another account in Ibn Sa'd's book lists the three instructions as [[Salah|prayer]], [[zakat|{{Transl|ar|zakat}}]], and [kindness to] [[ma malakat aymanukum|{{transl|ar|ma malakat aymanukum}}]] (slaves). This version concludes with Muhammad's death on Ali's lap.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Miskinzoda|2014|p=237}}</ref> Different narrations of this hadith also differ in the identities of those present, with figures, such as [[Zaynab bint Jahsh]], [[Umm Salama]] and [[Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr]], inserted or removed depending on the preference of the narrators.<ref name=":0" /> +=== Quarrel === +The ''Sahih''<nowiki/>'s report continues that a quarrel then broke out at Muhammad's bedside,{{Sfn|Momen|1985|p=16}} with some suggesting that his orders should be followed and some siding with Umar to disregard the prophet's request,{{sfn|Abbas|2021|p=89}} according to the most detailed report from Ibn Sa'd.{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} As the noise and quarrel increased, Muhammad asked them to leave and did not write anything. In one of Ibn Sa'd's reports, Muhammad's wives demand that his request is fulfilled but are silenced by Umar. Another report of him identifies Muhammad's wife [[Zaynab bint Jahsh|Zaynab]] as the one making this demand.{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} Ibn Abbas is quoted in the ''Sahih'' saying, "The greatest of all calamities is what intervened between the Apostle and his writing."{{Sfn|Momen|1985|p=16}} Some reports instead attribute similar words to Ubayd Allah ibn Abd Allah.{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} The phrase '{{Transl|ar|al-raziyya kull al-raziyya}}' is sometimes used in reference to this event.{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}}{{sfn|Abbas|2021|p=89}} -According to the [[Shia Islam|Shia]] historian [[Shaykh Tabarsi|Tabarsi]], the third (missing) instruction was about the [[Ahl al-Bayt]] (Muhammad's family).<ref name=":1">{{Harvtxt|Abbas|2021|p=89}}</ref> In Tabarsi's version, when Muhammad was later asked if he still wished to write something, he replied:<ref name=":1" /> +=== Muhammad's reaction === +[[Muhammad al-Bukhari|Al-Bukhari]] ({{Died in|256/870}}) and Ibn Sa'd both mention that Muhammad was saddened by the quarrel ({{Transl|ar|wa ghammu rasul Allah}}), while the Sunni al-Diyarbakri ({{Died in|{{circa|960s/1550s}}}}) suppresses this in his report but retains Umar's name. In one of Ibn Sa'd's reports, Muhammad reprimanded, "They [the women] are better than you are," after Umar silenced Muhammad's wives who were asking the men to fulfill the prophet's wish.{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} -{{Blockquote|text=No, not after what you have said! Rather, keep well my memory through kindness to the people of my household. Treat with kindness the people of ''[[Dhimmi |{{transl|ar|dhimmah}}]]'' [namely, Jews and Christians], and feed the poor and {{transl|ar|ma malakat aymanukum}} [i.e., slaves].}} +=== Muhammad's recommendations === +Some reports add that Muhammad left three oral instructions in place of a written statement, though they have been recorded differently by different authors.{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} One report by Ibn Sa'd lists two of these instructions as driving out the [[Shirk (Islam)|polytheists]] from [[Arabian Peninsula|Arabia]] and accepting delegations in the same manner as he had done. The third recommendation is absent, possibly forgotten by his source.{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} The [[Shia Islam|Shia]] [[Shaykh Tabarsi|Tabarsi]] ({{Died in|548/1153}}) reports that the third (missing) instruction was about Muhammad's family, the [[Ahl al-Bayt]] ({{Lit|people of the house}}).{{sfn|Abbas|2021|p=89}} In his account, Muhammad was later asked if he still wished to write something and he replied:{{Blockquote|text=No, not after what you have said! Rather, keep well my memory through kindness to the people of my household. Treat with kindness the people of ''[[Dhimmi |{{transl|ar|dhimmah}}]]'' [namely, Jews and Christians], and feed the poor and {{transl|ar|ma malakat aymanukum}} [slaves].{{sfn|Abbas|2021|p=89}}}}Yet another report by Ibn Sa'd on the authority of Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law [[Ali]] lists the three instructions as prayer, [[zakat|{{Transl|ar|zakat}}]] (Islamic alms), and (kindness to) [[ma malakat aymanukum|{{transl|ar|ma malakat aymanukum}}]] (slaves).{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014|p=237}} ==Debates== -There is no dearth of speculation among scholars about what Muhammad intended to write. Shia scholars suggest that it would have been a formal appointment of Ali as the new leader, while Sunni authorities have advanced various alternatives.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Momen|1985|p=16}}</ref> +There is no dearth of speculation among scholars about what Muhammad intended to write. Shia scholars suggest that it would have been a formal appointment of Ali as the new leader, while Sunni authorities have advanced various alternatives.{{sfn|Momen|1985|p=16}} -According to Miskinzoda, the disobedience to Muhammad in this incident has been downplayed by some Sunni authors, such as [[Ibn Hazm]], or attributed to [[Companions of the Prophet|companions]]' concerns for overstraining the ill Muhammad by others, such as al-Halabi.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Miskinzoda|2014}}. {{Harvtxt|Abbas|2021|p=89}}</ref> Some, such as [[al-Baladhuri]], have instead suggested that Muhammad intended to designate [[Abu Bakr]] as his successor.<ref name=":0" /> In Shia sources, the incident is viewed as a calamity and a missed opportunity to designate Ali as successor.<ref name=":102">{{Harvtxt|Abbas|2021|p=89}}</ref> [[Wilferd Madelung|Madelung]] appears to support this view, writing that Umar later explained to [[Ibn Abbas]] that Muhammad intended to name Ali as his successor and that he, Umar, prevented this out of the conviction that Arabs would revolt against Ali.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Madelung|1997|pp=66, 67}}</ref> This view has been echoed by [[Lesley Hazleton|Hazleton]].<ref name="Hazleton 2009 49">{{Harvtxt|Hazleton|2009|p=49}}</ref> +=== Disobedience === +Noting that it was Umar who prevented Muhammad from writing his will, the SunniI [[Ibn Hazm]] ({{Died in|456/1064}}) suggests that he only meant good ({{Transl|ar|arada bi-ha al-khayr}}). He also claims that others present agreed with Umar and that the prophet's will must have had no religious significance. Otherwise, he says, Muhammad would have insisted on writing it. The Sunni al-Halabi ({{Died in|1044/1635}}) similarly suggests that Umar only wanted to ease the prophet's task ({{Transl|ar|innama qala dhalika takhfifan ala rasul Allah}}).{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} -In Sunni Islam, this hadith has also been linked to the rise of the community politics that followed Muhammad's death. The argument is that Muhammad had implicitly agreed to how the Muslim community ([[ummah|{{transl|ar|umma}}]]) would act after his death. From the Sunni viewpoint, this hadith is therefore linked to the emergence of sayings, attributed to Muhammad, such as, "My {{transl|ar|umma}} will never agree on an error," an idea perpetuated by theologians like [[Ibn Hazm]] and [[Fatḥ al-Din Ibn Sayyid al-Nās|Ibn Sayyid al-Nas]].<ref>{{Harvtxt|Miskinzoda|2014}}</ref> In contrast, though [[Qur'an]] advises the faithful to settle some matters by consultation, the succession of prophets might not be one of them, according to Madelung. That matter is settled by divine selection for the past prophets in the Qur'an.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Madelung|1997|p=17}}</ref> +=== Designation of Abu Bakr === +Beginning with [[al-Baladhuri]] ({{Died in|892}}), many Sunni authors have presented the first [[Caliphate|caliph]] [[Abu Bakr]] as the designated successor, which Muhammad intended to put into writing on his deathbed. In one of al-Baladhuri's reports, Muhammad clearly says so, adding that his writing would prevent discord among Muslims. There is also no mention of Umar and Ali in al-Baladhuri's reports and the focus is on Abu Bakr and his daughter [[Aisha]].{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} -According to Miskinzoda, the focal point of the story is the question of Muhammad's religious authority, exemplified by Umar's statement, "You have the Qur'an, the book of God is sufficient for us." She suggests that the message of these traditions is that the Qur'an is sufficient for the guidance of Muslims.<ref name=":0" /> Alternatively, [[Lesley Hazleton|Hazleton]] argues that the Qur'an is not sufficient, as it has been supplemented by the practice of Muhammad ([[Sunnah|Sunna]]) after his death.<ref name=":92">{{Harvtxt|Hazleton|2009|p=50}}</ref> Shia Muslims complement this with the practice of their [[Imamate in Shia doctrine|Imams]], citing the well-attested [[Hadith al-Thaqalayn]], attributed to Muhammad, in which he asked Muslims to seek guidance after him from the Qur'an and the [[Ahl al-Bayt]], meaning his family.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Momen|1985|p=16}}. {{Harvtxt|Mavani|2013|p=80}}. {{Harvtxt|Campo|2009}}. {{Harvtxt|Abbas|2021|p=81}}</ref> +The accounts of al-Halabi and Ibn Hazm are similar to that of al-Baladhuri. Al-Halabi relates from Aisha with no further chain of transmission, while Ibn Hazm also expresses his regret about this missed opportunity which would have prevented so much bloodshed after Muhammad, in his view.{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} + +Ibn Kathir goes further and presents a highly polemic account of Muhammad's death, adding that he designated Abu Bakr as his successor in his last sermon, an important announcement for which he had to purify himself first.{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} The general Sunni belief today is that Muhammad had not chosen anyone to succeed him, instead reasoning that he had intended for the community to decide on a leader among themselves.{{Sfn|Sodiq|2010|p=64}} Al-Tabari only quotes two short reports about the pen and paper incident.{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} + +=== Designation of Ali === +In Shia sources, the incident is viewed as a calamity and a missed opportunity to designate Ali as the successor.{{sfn|Abbas|2021|p=89}} For instance, the report of [[Al-Shaykh Al-Mufid|al-Mufid]] ({{Died in|413/1022}}) emphasizes Umar's disobedience and that it displeased Muhammad, who verbally reiterated Ali's rights on his deathbed. His account matches the Sunni narrative, according to Miskinzoda, except for the part about Ali.{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} + +[[Wilferd Madelung|Madelung]] appears to support the Shia view, quoting an exchange between Ibn Abbas and Umar in which the latter claimed that Muhammad intended to name Ali as his successor and that he prevented this out of the conviction that [[Arabs]] would revolt against Ali.{{sfn|Madelung|1997|pp=66, 67}} A tradition to this effect is also cited by the Shia [[Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai|Tababatai]] ({{Died in|1981}}).{{Sfn|Tabatabai|1975|p=158}} This view has been echoed by [[Lesley Hazleton|Hazleton]].{{sfn|Hazleton|2009|p=49}} + +=== Community politics === +In Sunni Islam, this hadith has also been linked to the rise of the community politics that followed Muhammad's death. By not leaving a will, it is argued, Muhammad had implicitly accepted how the Muslim community ([[ummah|{{transl|ar|umma}}]]) would function after his death. This hadith has thus been linked to the emergence of the Sunni tradition, "My {{transl|ar|umma}} will never agree on an error," an idea perpetuated by theologians Ibn Hazm and [[Fatḥ al-Din Ibn Sayyid al-Nās|Ibn Sayyid al-Nas]] ({{Died in|734/1334}}), among others.{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} Madelung alternatively argues that the Quran advises the faithful to settle some matters by consultation, but the succession of prophets is not one of them. That matter is settled by divine selection for the past prophets in the Quran, he writes.{{sfn|Madelung|1997|p=17}} + +=== Muhammad's authority === +For Miskinzoda, the focal point of the story is the question of Muhammad's religious authority, exemplified by Umar's statement, "You have the Quran, the book of God is sufficient for us." In her view, these traditions imply that the Quran is sufficient for the guidance of Muslims after Muhammad.{{sfn|Miskinzoda|2014}} In contrast, [[Lesley Hazleton|Hazleton]] notes that the Quran has been supplemented by the prophetic practice ([[Sunnah|Sunna]]).{{sfn|Hazleton|2009|p=50}} Shia Muslims add to these the practice of their [[Imamate in Shia doctrine|Imams]], citing the widely-reported [[Hadith al-Thaqalayn]], attributed to Muhammad, in which he asked Muslims to seek guidance after him from the Quran and his family, the [[Ahl al-Bayt]].{{sfn|Momen|1985|p=|pp=16-7}}{{sfn|Mavani|2013|p=80}}{{sfn|Campo|2009}} ==See also== -* [[Hadith of the Twelve Successors]] -* [[Umar at Fatimah's house]] +* [[Succession to Muhammad]] +* [[Saqifah|Saqifa]] +* [[Hadith of the Twelve Successors|Hadith of Twelve Successors]] ==References== @@ -46,8 +63,9 @@ * {{Cite book|last=Momen|first=Moojan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MD4NAQAAMAAJ|title=An introduction to Shi'i Islam|publisher=Yale University Press|year=1985|isbn=9780300035315}} * {{Cite book|last=Abbas|first=Hassan|title=The Prophet's Heir: The Life of Ali ibn Abi Talib|publisher=Yale University Press|year=2021|isbn=9780300252057|pages=}} - +* {{cite book |last=Tabatabai |first=Sayyid Mohammad Hosayn |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=Be5DeNM8d1EC|page=258}} |title=Shi'ite Islam |publisher=State University of New York Press |others=Translated by [[Seyyed Hossein Nasr|Sayyid Hossein Nasr]] |year=1975 |isbn=0-87395-390-8 |author-link=Allameh Tabatabaei}} +*{{cite book |last=Sodiq|first=Yushau|title=An Insider's Guide to Islam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mkUGvSCLFecC&pg=PA64|year=2010|publisher=Trafford Publishing|isbn=978-1-4269-2560-3}} ==External links== -*[http://www.al-islam.org/al-murajaat-shii-sunni-dialogue-sharaf-al-din-al-musawi/letter-86#i-thursdays-calamity Thursday's calamity (Al-Muraja'at)] -*[http://www.al-islam.org/guided/16.html The Companions and the Raziyat Yawm al Khamis] - from ''Then I was Guided'', chapter "The Calamity of Thursday" +*[http://www.al-islam.org/al-murajaat-shii-sunni-dialogue-sharaf-al-din-al-musawi/letter-86#i-thursdays-calamity Thursday's calamity] +*[http://www.al-islam.org/guided/16.html The Companions of the Prophet as seen by the Shi’a and the Sunnis] {{DEFAULTSORT:Hadith Of The Pen And Paper}} '