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 (
Based on the academic sources and standard translations of , Volume 6 generally covers the end of the Umayyad Caliphate and the beginning of the Abbasid era.
Understanding Al-Tabari Volume 6, Page 111: The Context and Controversy of the "Satanic Verses"
Muhammad, hoping to find common ground with the Quraysh, recited verses that appeared to acknowledge their three chief goddesses—al-Lāt, al-‘Uzzā, and Manāt—as divine intercessors with Allah. The translation from al-Tabari's account describes the Prophet reciting the words:
Page 111 is central to the account of the "Satanic Verses" (often referred to in Islamic tradition as the al tabari volume 6 page 111
: Muhammad hoped for a revelation that would reconcile him with his tribe, the Quraysh .
Page 111 falls within the section describing the aftermath of the Battle of Badr (624 CE). More precisely, it deals with the fate of the Meccan prisoners of war .
: This account is found in the section titled "The First Open Preaching" or "The Story of the Cranes" within the Kalamullah PDF of Volume 6. Kalamullah.Com theological arguments
The most widely available English translation is the , translated by various scholars. In that series, Volume 6 is titled: "The Victory of Islam" (translated by Michael Fishbein). The History of al-Tabari :Tarikh al-Rusul wa'l muluk
The journey through Volume 6, Page 111 of al-Tabari’s History is a powerful lesson in the importance of context, methodology, and intellectual honesty. Taking the quote at face value is a fundamental error, as it ignores al-Tabari's historiographical method and the verdict of the vast majority of Islamic scholarship.
: This essay provides a general approach to analyzing historical texts, particularly al-Tabari's work. For a more specific and detailed essay, one would need to directly consult "Al-Tabari Volume 6, Page 111" to understand the particular historical events, themes, or discussions presented on that page.
In some printings, page 111 transitions to the (762 CE) – an early Abbasid‑era event that illustrates how the new regime consolidated power in Iraq:
in the standard English translation (SUNY series, translated by Muhammad Dawood) falls within the events of the Caliphate of Abu al-Abbas al-Saffah (the first Abbasid Caliph), specifically dealing with the consolidation of Abbasid power and the hunting down of the remaining Umayyad family members. Page 111 falls within the section describing the
Volume 6 heavily utilizes early biographical traditions, primarily drawing from the Sirah (biography) of Ibn Ishaq and reports from early commentators like al-Waqidi. 3. Islamic Scholarly Consensus and Theological Critique
The English translation (SUNY Series in Near Eastern Studies) is essential for modern scholars accessing this primary source. The Context of "Muḥammad at Mecca" (Volume 6)
In the introduction of his Tarikh , al-Tabari explicitly warned readers that his book contained reports that some might find objectionable or false. He noted that he merely passed down what was narrated to him, leaving the critical evaluation of authenticity to the reader and future scholars.
The sequence of events leading to the Hijrah. Conclusion