: While reciting Surah an-Najm, Satan allegedly put words into Muhammad's mouth that praised the goddesses al-Lat, al-Uzza, and Manat as "high-flying cranes" whose intercession was desired.
: Gabriel later visited Muhammad to inform him that these words were not from Allah, leading to Muhammad's lament.
: In the introduction to his history, Al-Tabari famously warned readers that his book contained material that might shock or sound false to the reader, but he included it anyway so that the historical raw data would not be lost. Islamic Scholarship and the Issue of Authenticity al tabari volume 6 page 111
: Al-Tabari explicitly notes in his introduction that his goal was to compile historical accounts, not to verify the theological orthodoxy of every narration. Understanding the Narrative on Page 111
It is widely accepted that for the "Satanic Verses" account, al-Tabari’s primary source was the now-lost Sīrah (biography) of the Prophet Muhammad by (d. 767 CE). We do not have Ibn Isḥāq's original work in its complete form; our knowledge of it comes primarily from later abridgements and quotations, most famously by Ibn Hishām (d. 833 CE), who lived and wrote after al-Tabari. : While reciting Surah an-Najm, Satan allegedly put
Al Tabari's history covers a vast period, spanning from the creation of the world to his own time, with a focus on the Islamic world and its interactions with other civilizations. The work is notable for its meticulous scholarship, thorough research, and insightful analysis of historical events.
If you are interested in the specific text on page 111 of volume 6, it usually centers on the interactions between the Prophet and the Quraysh leadership, detailing the arguments and challenges leveled against the burgeoning Muslim community in Mecca. Significance of Al-Tabari for Historians Islamic Scholarship and the Issue of Authenticity :
I can also provide details on how , like Ibn Sa'd, reported this same incident, if that is helpful.
These can be found in journals like:
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