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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books History of Shi'ism: From the Advent of Islam up to the End of Minor Occultation Lesson 24: The Intellectual Legacy of the Shi‘ah The importance of writing and compilation in the sacred laws of Islam is proverbial to all and sundry. For, one of the most significant ways of transferring knowledge and learning is through writing.

The Arab society, prior to the advent of Islam had acquired the least benefit from this blessing, and only very few were able to read and write.[^1] But the need to record and put into writing the verses of the Qur’an for learning and teaching were only felt immediately after the Prophetic mission and the receipt of revelations.

As Ibn Hisham has narrated: Before ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab became Muslim, his sister, Fatimah bint al-Khattab and her husband Sa‘id ibn Zayd had become Muslims and covertly and away from the attention of ‘Umar, Khabbab ibn Irt was teaching them Surah Ta Ha on a writing parchment which was called sahifah .[^2] In Medina, the Noble Messenger (S) had selected a group of Muslims who were able to put into writing the divine revelation.

The Commander of the Faithful ‘Ali ( ‘a ), in addition to being the regular scribe of the revelation, the Holy Prophet (S) constantly explained to him the definitive verses { muhkamat } and allegorical verses { mutashabihat }[^3] as well as the abrogator { nasukh } and abrogated { mansukh } verses.

‘Ali ( ‘a ) had also written a book entitled, “ Sahifah al-Jami‘ah ” as dictated by the Messenger of Allah (S), which encompassed the lawful { halal } and the unlawful { haram }, obligatory { wajib } and recommended { mustahab } acts, as well as laws and that which the people need in this world and in their life in the hereafter.[^4] Two other books—one entitled “ Sahifah ” about penalties { diyyat } and another book entitled “ Fara’idh ”—have also been attributed to the Imam.[^5] Other companions of the Holy Prophet (S) also compiled collections of his sayings and traditions, which they called “ sahifah ”.