Sanad and Matn Analysis of ibn Jurayj's Narration Concerning the Claim of the Prophet's (PBUH) Magic Based on Sunni Sources By making up the sources of the people of Sunnah

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Corresponding Author, Assistant Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

2 . Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

3 associate professor, department of Quran and hadith sciences, Meybod university, meybod, Iran

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

10.22034/pht.2025.15693.1410

Abstract

The study of the relationship of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) to magic is a matter of immense importance, as it can address some of the inaccurate questions or claims raised about his person. In this context, a narration from Ibn  Jurayj appears in major Sunni sources such as Tafsir al-Tabari, indicating a conspiracy by the polytheists to bewitch the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his progeny). Given the importance of the topic and the absence of an independent study analyzing this narration, this research seeks to address the most prominent issues concerning its chain of transmission (isnad) and its text (matn). The study employs a descriptive-analytical methodology to examine the narration's chain and text across both Sunni and Shi'i sources. The results reveal that Sunni sources ostensibly present al-Tabari as the pioneer in transmitting this narration in his exegesis, followed by Ibn  Kathir who included it in his own. However, the authors of this research found narrations in Shi'i sources regarding the bewitchment of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) that differ from those of Ibn  Jurayj and require independent study. The narration about the Prophet’s bewitchment was transmitted via two chains from Ibn  Jurayj, both of which suffer from weakness in their chain of transmission. Furthermore, the text is deemed unacceptable and unreliable from a textual standpoint. 

Keywords


  1. Bibliography

    The Holy Quran.

    Ibn Abi Hatim, Abu Muhammad. (1854/1855 CE). Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil (Criticism and Accreditation). Beirut: Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi.

    Ibn Abi Hatim, 'Abd al-Rahman. (1952/1953 CE). Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil (Criticism and Accreditation). Hyderabad Deccan.

    Ibn Hibban, Muhammad. (1975/1976 CE). Al-Majruhin (The Discredited Narrators) (Research: Mahmud Ibrahim Zayid). Beirut.

    Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Ahmad bin 'Ali. (1908/1909 CE). Tahdhib al-Tahdhib (The Refinement of the Refinement). India: Matba'at Da'irat al-Ma'arif al-Nizamiyyah.

    Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Ahmad bin 'Ali. (1982/1983 CE). Tabaqat al-Mudallisin (Generations of Those Who Practiced Tadlis) (Research: 'Asim bin 'Abd Allah al-Qaryuti). Amman: Maktabat al-Manar.

    Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Ahmad bin 'Ali. (1985/1986 CE). Taqrib al-Tahdhib (The Approximation of the Refinement) (Research: Muhammad 'Awwamah). Syria: Dar al-Rashid.

    Ibn Hanbal, Ahmad. (2000/2001 CE). Musnad Ahmad (Research: Shu'ayb al-Arna'ut and others). Mu'assasat al-Risalah.

    Ibn Sa'd, Abu 'Abd Allah. (1989/1990 CE). Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra (The Great Generations) (Research: Muhammad 'Abd al-Qadir 'Ata). Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyyah.

    Ibn al-'Iraqi, Ahmad bin 'Abd al-Rahim. (1994/1995 CE). Al-Mudallisin (Those Who Practiced Tadlis) (Research: Rif'at Fawzi 'Abd al-Muttalib and Nafidh Husayn Hammad). (n.p.): Dar al-Wafa'.

    Ibn 'Abidin, Muhammad Amin bin 'Umar. (1991/1992 CE). (Title not provided/Unclear). (2nd ed.). Beirut: Dar al-Fikr.

    Ibn Faris, Ahmad. (1978/1979 CE). Ma'jam Maqayis al-Lughah (Dictionary of Language Measures) (Research: 'Abd al-Salam Muhammad Harun). Dar al-Fikr.

    Ibn Kathir, Isma'il bin 'Umar. (1999/2000 CE). Tafsir al-Quran al-'Azim (Interpretation of the Great Quran) (Research: Sami bin Muhammad Salamah). Dar Taybah.

    Ibn Hisham, 'Abd al-Malik. (1955/1956 CE). Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah (The Prophetic Biography) (Research: Mustafa al-Saqqa and others). Egypt: Sharikat Maktabat wa Matba'at Mustafa al-Babi al-Halabi wa Awladuh.

    Abu Nu'aym, Ahmad bin 'Abd Allah. (1986/1987 CE). Hilyat al-Awliya' wa Tabaqat al-Asfiya' (The Adornment of the Saints and Generations of the Pure Ones). Beirut: Dar al-Kitab al-'Arabi.

    Ahmad Shakir. (1999/2000 CE). Tahqiq 'ala Riwayat Tafsir al-Tabari (Verification of the Narrations in al-Tabari's Interpretation). Mu'assasat al-Risalah.

    Al-Azhari, Muhammad bin Ahmad. (2001 CE). Tahdhib al-Lughah (The Refinement of Language) (Research: Muhammad 'Awad Mar'ab). Beirut: Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi.

    Al-Ashqar, 'Umar Sulayman. (1969/1970 CE). 'Alam al-Sihr wa al-Sha'wadhah (The World of Magic and Sorcery). Translated by the Haramayn Group. Zahedan, Iran: Manshurat Haramayn.

    Al-Bukhari, Muhammad bin Isma'il. (1976/1977 CE). Al-Tarikh al-Awsat (The Middle History) (Research: Mahmud Ibrahim Zayid). Cairo: Dar al-Wa'i, Maktabat Dar al-Turath.

    Al-Bukhari, Muhammad bin Isma'il. (2001/2002 CE). Sahih al-Bukhari (Research: Muhammad Zuhayr bin Nasir al-Nasir). Dar Tawq al-Najat.

    Al-Bukhari, Muhammad bin Isma'il. (n.d.). Al-Tarikh al-Kabir (The Great History). Hyderabad Deccan: Da'irat al-Ma'arif al-'Uthmaniyyah.

    Al-Baydawi, 'Abd Allah bin 'Umar. (1997/1998 CE). Anwar al-Tanzil wa Asrar al-Ta'wil (Lights of Revelation and Secrets of Interpretation) (Research: Muhammad 'Abd al-Rahman al-Mar'ashli). Beirut: Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi.

    Al-Tha'labi, Ahmad bin Muhammad. (2001/2002 CE). Al-Kashf wa al-Bayan 'an Tafsir al-Quran (The Unveiling and Elucidation of Quran Interpretation) (Research: Imam Abu Muhammad bin 'Ashur). Lebanon, Beirut: Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi.

    Al-Jassas, Ahmad bin 'Ali Abu Bakr. (1984/1985 CE). Ahkam al-Quran (Rulings of the Quran) (Research: Muhammad Sadiq al-Qamhawi). Beirut: Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi.

    Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, Ahmad. (1931/1932 CE). Tarikh Baghdad (History of Baghdad). Cairo.

    Al-Khazzaz al-Qumi al-Razi, 'Ali bin Muhammad. (1980/1981 CE). Kifayat al-Athar. Qom: Bidar.

    Al-Khoei, Abul Qasim. (1982/1983 CE). Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith (Lexicon of Hadith Narrators). Beirut.

    Al-Dhahabi, Muhammad bin Ahmad bin 'Uthman. (1962/1963 CE). Mizan al-I'tidal (The Scale of Moderation) (Research: 'Ali Muhammad al-Bajawi). Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Ma'rifah.

    Al-Dhahabi, Muhammad bin Ahmad bin 'Uthman. (1984/1985 CE). Siyar A'lam al-Nubala' (The Lives of Noble Figures) (Research: Shu'ayb al-Arna'ut). (n.p.): Mu'assasat al-Risalah.

    Al-Dhahabi, Muhammad bin Ahmad bin 'Uthman. (2003 CE). Tarikh al-Islam (History of Islam) (Research: Bashar 'Awwad Ma'ruf). (n.p.): Dar al-Gharb al-Islami.

    Al-Zirikli, Khayr al-Din bin Mahmud. (2002 CE). Al-A'lam (The Notables). (n.p.): Dar al-'Ilm lil-Malayin.

    Al-Zamakhshari, Mahmud bin 'Amr. (1986/1987 CE). Al-Kashshaf 'an Haqa'iq Ghawamid al-Tanzil (The Unveiler of the Realities of the Subtleties of Revelation). Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-'Arabiyyah.

    Zini Mulk Abad, Hadi. (2011/2012 CE). Mu'aridat Zabani Mushrikan ba Payambar wa Pasukh-ha-ye Quran (Verbal Oppositions of the Polytheists with the Prophet and the Quran's Responses) (Master's Thesis). Tarbiat Modares University.

    Zini Mulk Abad, Hadi. (2015/2016 CE). Barrisi wa Tahsil 'Avanil Siyasi Ja'l Hadith (Investigation and Analysis of the Political Factors of Hadith Fabrication) (Doctoral Dissertation). Tarbiat Modares University.

    Al-Suyuti, 'Abd al-Rahman bin Abi Bakr. (n.d.). Asma' al-Mudallisin (The Names of Those Who Practiced Tadlis) (Research: Mahmud Muhammad Mahmud Hasan Nassar). Beirut: Dar al-Jil.

    Al-Tabari, Muhammad bin Jarir. (1967/1968 CE). Tarikh al-Tabari (History of al-Tabari). Beirut: Dar al-Turath.

    Al-Tabari, Muhammad bin Jarir. (1999/2000 CE). Jami' al-Bayan fi Ta'wil al-Quran (The Compendium of Elucidation in Interpreting the Quran) (Research: Ahmad Muhammad Shakir). Mu'assasat al-Risalah.

    Al-Tusi, Muhammad bin Hasan. (1960/1961 CE). Rijal al-Tusi (The Men of al-Tusi). (n.p.).

    1. Al-Tusi, Muhammad bin Hasan. (1983/1984 CE). Ikhtiyar Ma'rifat al-Rijal (Choices in Knowing the Men) (Research: Mirdamad Astarabadi and Mahdi Rajai). Qom.

    Abdullah Zadeh, & Musawi. (2018/2019 CE). "Barrisi-ye Ta'thir-e Sihr bar Payambar-e Akram (s) az Didgah-e Mufassiran-e Fariqayn" (Examining the Effect of Magic on the Noble Prophet (pbuh) from the Perspective of Interpreters of Both Schools). Scientific-Research Quarterly of Tafsir Studies, (Vol./Issue not provided).

    'Abd al-Mun'im, Muhammad 'Abd al-Rahman. (n.d.). Mu'jam al-Mustalahat wa al-Alfaz al-Fiqhiyyah (Dictionary of Jurisprudential Terms and Expressions). Egypt: Dar al-Fadilah.

    Al-'Ijli, Abu al-Hasan. (1984/1985 CE). Tarikh al-Thiqat (History of the Trustworthy). Mecca: Dar al-Baz.

    'Azizi, Husayn, & Rastkar, Parviz, & Bayat, Yusuf. (2001/2002 CE). Rawiyan Mushtarak (Common Narrators). Qom: Bustan-e Kitab, Daftar-e Tablighat-e Islami.

    Fakhr al-Din al-Razi. (1999/2000 CE). Mafatih al-Ghayb (The Keys to the Unseen). Beirut: Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi.

    Al-Farahidi, Khalil bin Ahmad. (n.d.). Al-'Ayn (Research: Mahdi al-Makhzumi and Ibrahim al-Samarra'i). (n.p.): Dar wa Maktabat al-Hilal.

    Fayd al-Kashani, Muhammad Muhsin. (n.d.). Al-Tafsir al-Safi (The Pure Interpretation) (Introduction and Correction: Husayn A'lami). Tehran: Maktabat al-Sadr.

    Al-Kulayni, Muhammad bin Ya'qub. (1968/1969 CE). Al-Kafi (Translation and Explanation: Jawad Mustafawi). Tehran: Kitab Furushi-ye 'Ilmiyyah Islamiyyah.

    Al-Kulayni, Muhammad bin Ya'qub. (1980/1981 CE). Al-Furu' min al-Kafi (The Branches from al-Kafi) (Research: 'Ali Akbar Ghaffari). Beirut.

    1. Muhammad Salamah, Sami. (1999/2000 CE). Tahqiq 'ala Riwayat Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Verification of the Narrations in Ibn Kathir's Interpretation). (n.p.): Dar Taybah.

    Muslim bin al-Hajjaj al-Naysaburi. (n.d.). Sahih Muslim (Research: Muhammad Fu'ad 'Abd al-Baqi). Beirut: Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi.

    Nilsaz, Nasrat, & Zini Mulk Abad, Hadi. (2014/2015 CE). "Mu'aridat Zabani Mushrikan ba (s) Akram Barrisi Ittiham-e Shi'r va Sha'iri" (Verbal Oppositions of the Polytheists with the Noble Prophet (pbuh) Investigating the Accusation of Poetry and Being a Poet). Quarterly of Research in Quran and Hadith Sciences, 11(2).

    Wahid al-Bihbahani, Muhammad Baqir. (1888/1889 CE). Al-Ta'liqah 'ala al-Minhaj al-Maqal (Gloss on 'The Expressed Method') (Manuscript, lithograph print).

    Yahya bin Ma'in, Abu Zakariyya. (1978/1979 CE). Tarikh Yahya bin Ma'in (Research: Ahmad Muhammad Nur Sayf). Mecca: Markaz al-Bahth al-'Ilmi wa Ihya' al-Turath al-Islami.