One of the prominent Umayyad figures mentioned in this section is Ubaydallah ibn Abd al-Aziz ibn Marwan . Following the collapse of Umayyad authority in Syria and the hounding of the family by Abbasid agents, Ubaydallah attempts to flee. Unlike others who fled to remote deserts or tried to blend into the populace, Ubaydallah seeks a path that he believes offers him the best chance of survival or perhaps a power base to regroup.
The History of al-Tabari :Tarikh al-Rusul wa'l muluk 'Annals of the Apostles and Kings' ,by Abu Ja'far Muhammad b Jarir al-Tabri (
The text describes Muhammad as being deeply distressed by the estrangement from his tribesmen. He strongly desired a revelation that would bridge the gap and allow them to reconcile.
The encyclopedic work Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk (The History of Prophets and Kings) by Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari stands as a primary foundational source for early Islamic history.
The phrase refers directly to the English translation of the monumental historical chronicle Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk (The History of the Prophets and Kings) by the 9th-century Persian scholar Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari . Published in English by the State University of New York (SUNY) Press, Volume 6 is titled Muhammad at Mecca . al tabari volume 6 page 111
By the time the narrative reaches page 111, the Abbasid forces have successfully toppled the Umayyad dynasty. The "Black Flags" of the Abbasids have swept from Khorasan into Iraq, and the last Umayyad Caliph, Marwan II, has been defeated and killed in Egypt. However, for the new Caliph, Abu al-Abbas al-Saffah, the war is not over. The page details the systematic effort to extinguish the remaining members of the Umayyad house to prevent any future uprisings.
The report on page 111 never found a home within the mainstream Islamic scholarly tradition. From an early date, it was almost universally rejected by hadith scholars, jurists, and theologians for two primary reasons: its violation of the doctrine of ‘isma (prophetic infallibility) and its weak chain of transmission.
The narrative unfolds as follows:
Understanding al-Tabari’s Tarikh: A Case Study of Volume 6, Page 111 One of the prominent Umayyad figures mentioned in
The shift from tribal norms to a unified faith.
Volume 6 of Al-Tabari’s historical chronicle covers the pre-Islamic history of the Arabian Peninsula, Prophet Muhammad's early life, and his prophetic mission up to the Hijrah (migration to Medina).
On this specific page of the State University of New York (SUNY) Press English translation , al-Tabari introduces the narrative surrounding the intense social isolation and persecution the early Muslim community faced in Mecca. Seeking a way to reconcile with his tribe, the Quraysh, a traditional narration describes Muhammad receiving a revelation that briefly included praise for the pagan deities of Mecca. The Narration Mechanics
Because page 111 contains text where the Prophet Muhammad is narrated to have temporarily spoken words suggested by Satan—before being corrected by divine revelation—it remains a primary flashpoint for theological disputes, polemical debates, and academic analysis. 1. The Core Text on Page 111: What Does It Say? The History of al-Tabari :Tarikh al-Rusul wa'l muluk
Before examining the text itself, it is crucial to understand the man behind it. Abu Jaʿfar Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (839–923 AD) was a towering intellectual figure of the Islamic Golden Age, universally recognized for his monumental contributions to both history and Quranic exegesis. Known for a methodical, encyclopedic approach, his work formed a cornerstone for nearly all subsequent Islamic scholarship. His two most famous works are:
Page 111 of The History of al-Tabari, Volume 6, details the controversial "Satanic Verses" incident, where Muhammad allegedly recited verses validating local pagan goddesses before being corrected by the angel Gabriel. The text records a moment of deep distress for Muhammad, who states he imputed words to God that were not spoken, highlighting al-Tabari’s inclusion of complex, early traditions. Read the text in The History of al-Tabari - Kalamullah.Com Why did muhammad confess to fabricating words?
: While reciting Surah an-Najm, "Satan cast on his tongue" words that praised the Meccan goddesses (al-Lat, al-Uzza, and Manat), referring to them as "high-flying cranes" ( al-gharaniq al-ula ) whose intercession was accepted. Initial Joy
Al-Tabari is considered a foundational source. While Tafsir al-Tabari deals with Quranic commentary, his history provides the necessary narrative structure to understand the socio-political environment of 7th-century Arabia.