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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Abdullah Ibn Saba’ and Other Myths Introduction: The tale of ‘Abdullah bin Saba’ In His Glorious Name The historians say that a Jew called ‘Abdullah Bin Saba΄ was converted to Islam at the time of ‘Othman the Caliph, in order to fulfill his aims at peace by making enemies within the Muslim community. This ‘Abdullah Bin Saba΄ spread the following ideas among Muslims. a) The resurrection of the Prophet.

b) All Prophets have had successors — the successor of the is ‘Ali, his cousin and son-in-law. He has been deprived of his divine office by ‘Othman the Caliph, and therefore it is necessary to revolt against ‘Othman in favor of ‘Ali. ‘Abdullah Bin Saba΄ formed a party called Saba΄ia, and this party rioted and killed ‘Othman, the third Caliph.

They also made mischief between the armies of ‘Ali and Talha, his enemy, during the time when peace negotiations were expected at the battle of Jamal near Basra. The Sabaia who were enrolled in both armies, fired shots one early morning, without waiting for any order from the commandants, and thus they started the war.

Therefore, this Jew was the real cause of all these mischief's and wars among Muslims, and he is the man who spread the idea of resurrection of the , and the idea of ‘Ali being the successor of the Prophet among the Muslims. The Origin of the Story The tale of ‘Abdullah Bin Saba΄ is over twelve centuries old. Historians and writers, one after the other recorded it, adding more and more to it. All historians agree that the story was told first of all by Saif.

The following historians recorded directly from Saif:- Tabari. Dhahabi — He has also cited from Tabari. Ibn Abi Baker — He has also recorded from Ibn Athir 15, who has recorded from Tabari. Ibn ‘Asaker. The following have recorded indirectly from Saif:- Nicholson from Tabari 2. Encyclopedia of Islam from Tabari 2. Van Floton from Tabari 2. Wellhauzen from Tabari 2. Mirkhand from Tabari 2. Ahmad Amin from Tabari 2, and from Wellhauzen. Farid Wajdi from Tabari 2. Hasan Ibrahim from Tabari 2.

Sa‘eed Afghani from Tabari 2, and from Ibn Abi Baker 3, Ibn ‘Asaker 4, and Ibn Badran 21. Ibn Khaldoun from Tabari 2. Ibn Athir from Tabari 2. Ibn Kathir from Tabari 2. Donaldson from Nicholson 5 and Encyclopedia 6. Ghiathud Din from Mirkhand 9. Abulfeda΄ from Ibn Athir 15. Rashid Reza from Ibn Athir 15. Ibn Badran from Ibn ‘Asaker 4. Bostani from Ibn Kathir 16.