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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Shi'ite Encyclopedia (chapter 10) Who Is Sayf? Sayf Ibn Umar al-Dhabbi al-Usayyidi al-Tamimi lived in the second century of the Muslim era (8th century AD) and died after the year 170 AH (750 AD). al-Dhahabi said that Sayf died during the rule of Haroon al-Rashid in Baghdad (Iraq).

During his life, Sayf wrote the following two books which were available even during the reign of Umayad: "al-Fotooh wa al-Riddah" which is the history of the period before the death of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) until the third Caliph Uthman resumed office as the ruler of Muslim world. "al-Jamal wa Maseeri Aisha wa Ali" which is the history from the murder of Uthman to the battle of Jamal (the fight that happened between Imam Ali and some companions).

These books are now lost but survived for a number of centuries after Sayf's own lifetime. Based on what we found, the last person who had said that he had possessed Sayf's books was Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (d. 852 AH). These two books of Sayf contained more action than truth, some forged stories, and some true events which, intentionally, have been recorded in a ridiculing manner.

Since Sayf spoke about some of the companions of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) and also invented some companions with strange names, his stories have affected the history of early Islam. Some biographers such as the authors of "Usdul Ghabah", "Isti'ab" and "Isabah" and geographers such as the authors of "Mu'jamul Boldan" and "al-Rawzul mi'tar" have written the life of some companions of the Prophet, and named places which exist only in the books written by Sayf.

Because of this, the life and character of Sayf and his credibility should be carefully investigated. What Do Say About Sayf? The following leading Sunni scholars confirm that Sayf Ibn Umar was a well- known liar and untrustworthy: (1) al-Hakim (d. 405 AH) wrote: "Sayf is accused of being a heretic. His narrations are abandoned." (2) al-Nisa'i (d. 303 AH) wrote: "Sayf's narrations are weak and they should be disregarded because he was unreliable and untrustworthy." (3) Yahya Ibn Mueen (d.

233 AH) wrote: "Sayf's narrations are weak and useless." (4) Abu Hatam (d. 277 AH) wrote: "Sayf's Hadith is rejected." (5) Ibn Abi Hatam (d. 327 AH) wrote: "Scholars have abandoned Sayf's narrations." (6) Abu Dawud (d. 316 AH) wrote: "Sayf is nothing. He was a liar. Some of his Hadiths were conveyed and the majority of them are denied." (7) Ibn Habban (d.