To understand why this text exists in Al-Tabari's work, it is critical to look at his methodology.
The reference "Al Tabari Volume 6 Page 111" likely points to a specific section in the renowned historian's work, "The History of the Prophets and Kings". While I couldn't access the exact content of this page, I hope this article provides a general understanding of Al Tabari's significance, the historical context, and possible topics that might be discussed in this volume.
Al Tabari's history is significant not only for its comprehensive coverage of Islamic history but also for its objectivity and critical approach to sources. He drew upon a wide range of sources, including Islamic traditions, Quranic commentaries, and earlier historical works, to create a nuanced and balanced account of events.
The text describes the relief of the Quraysh when they heard the conciliatory phrases and their subsequent renewed hostility when the verses were corrected. Scholarly and Historical Significance
: While reciting, Satan allegedly "cast upon his tongue" words praising three pagan goddesses (al-Lat, al-Uzza, and Manat) as "high-flying cranes" whose intercession is desired.
: Muhammad was deeply grieved by the shunning of his tribe, the , and longed for a revelation that might reconcile them. The False Revelation
Al-Tabari acted primarily as a compiler. He gathered every known oral and written report ( riwayah ) circulating in the Islamic world regarding historical events, complete with their chains of narrators ( isnad ).
The History of al-Tabari (Tārīkh al-Rusul wa-l-Mulūk), written by the 9th-century Persian historian Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, is an foundational source for early Islamic history. Volume VI, titled Muhammad at Mecca (translated by W. Montgomery Watt and M. V. McDonald), focuses on the life of the Prophet Muhammad from his ancestry to the Hijrah.
: Search for keywords like “al-Tabari Year 10 Hijri” or “al-Tabari Vol. 6 Chapter X” in academic databases to find studies referencing this material.
) to preserve the historical record, rather than to certify every detail as absolute theological truth. Scholarly View
Volume 6 of The History of al-Tabari (page 111 in the SUNY Press edition) documents the "Satanic Verses" incident, where Muhammad reportedly expressed distress over mistakenly uttering verses praising pagan idols, according to early traditions. While recording this account, al-Tabari includes reports that are generally viewed as unauthentic by many scholars, who note he often compiled varying historical traditions without verifying all as true. Explore the source text further at SUNY Press Kalamullah.Com
The translation on page 111 proceeds to detail the subsequent correction:
Crucially, and as al-Tabari's own annotations in Volume VI point out, , indicating that even among early Muslim scholars, its authenticity was doubted. Al-Tabari, true to his craft, included it as a variant account that was in circulation, but he left the judgment of its veracity to the reader.
To understand why this text exists in Al-Tabari's volumes, it is vital to understand his methodology as a historian. 1. The "Collector" Approach