Ka'b al-Ahbar: Difference between revisions

'''Kaʿb al-Aḥbār''' (Arabic: {{ia|کَعْب الأحْبار}}), (b. 32/652 or 34/654) was a [[Jewish]] scholar who converted to [[Islam]] in the period of the [[caliphate]] of [[Shaykhayn]] (the first two caliphs after [[the Prophet (s)]]). Ka'b al-Ahbar was a confidant of [['Umar b. al-Khattab|the Second Caliph]] and propagated many [[Isra'iliyyat]] among Muslims. The Prophet's (s) [[Sahaba|companions]] displayed different positions and behaviors regarding Ka'b. [[Imam al-Baqir (a)]] said that Ka'b al-Ahbar was a liar. None of his [[hadith]]s has been cited in the [[Four Books]] of the [[Shi'a]].

Ka'b b. Mati' al-Himyari al-Yamani was one of the [[Tabi'un]]. His [[kunya]] was Abu Ishaq. He was a prominent Jewish scholar in [[Yemen]] during the period of [[Jahiliyya]]. According to some historians, he could discern the accuracy or inaccuracy of what was attributed to the Bible.

In the period of the Second Caliph, he went to [[Medina]] where he stayed. And in the period of the [['Uthman b. 'Affan|Third Caliph]], he went to [[Syria]] and stayed in [[Homs]] where he died in [[32]]/652-53 or 34/654-55.

He was known as "Ka'b al-Ahbar". "Al-Ahbar" is the plural form of "al-hibr" (Arabic: {{ia|الحِبْر}}) which means a religious scholar. Ka'b quoted frequently from the [[Torah]], referring to it as the "Book of Allah".

Ka'b converted to Islam during the caliphate of [[Abu Bakr]] or early in the period of the caliphate of [['Umar b. al-Khattab|'Umar]]. According to some sources, Ka'b converted to Islam during the Conquest of [[Jerusalem]] at the suggestion of the Second Caliph.

 

==In the View of the Sahaba==

===Second Caliph===

The main [[Sahaba|companion]] of the Prophet (s) who introduced and trusted Ka'b was the [['Umar b. al-Khattab|Second Caliph]]. Different accounts have been provided for the story in different [[Sunni]] sources.

Ka'b was talking to some people in the [[mosque]]. The caliph sat among those people and asked Ka'b to give him some advice. On another account, the Second Caliph asked Ka'b to tell him about the [[resurrection]]. One day the caliph summoned Ka'b and told him, "O Ka'b! How do you find me in the Torah?" Ka'b replied, "the caliph is an iron fort, not fearing anyone's blame on the path of [[God]]."

In some cases, the caliph rejected Ka'b's remarks and suggestions. For example, 'Umar reportedly told Ka'b, "quit transmitting [[hadith]]s or I will send you to the land of monkeys." This remark was not limited to Ka'b; instead, it was a general decision made by the caliph to prohibit the transmission of hadiths from [[the Prophet (s)]]. Moreover, the Second Caliph opposed Ka'b's suggestion to construct a [[mihrab]] in [[Jerusalem]].  

[[Ja'far Murtada al-'Amili]] believes that the reason why the [[Sahaba]] have frequently transmitted hadiths from Ka'b was the Second Caliph's confidence in, and consultation with, him.

[[Ibn 'Abbas]] and [['Amr b. al-'As]] disputed over the recitation of a word in the [[Qur'an]]. They enquired about Ka'b's view. In another case, [[Talha]] and Ibn 'Abbas disputed an issue and they consulted Ka'b to settle their dispute. Such stories show that they trusted Ka'b. Moreover, Ka'b is one of the few [[Tabi'un]] from whom the [[Sahaba]] of [[the Prophet (s)]] transmitted [[hadith]]s. Al-Dhahabi believes that this was a scarce and significant event.

==Transmission of Hadiths==

==Fabricated Hadiths==

[[Al-'Allama al-'Askari]] believes that stories of the Jews, praises of the [[People of the Book]], and praises of [[Jerusalem]] found their way into Islamic sources through Ka'b al-Ahbar.

Ibn Kathir, an exegete of the [[Qur'an]], writes with regard to one of the [[Isra'iliyyat]], "these are what People of the Book have cited from their own books, such as hadiths from Ka'b and Wahb —may God be lenient towards them for the Isra'iliyyat they have propagated among Muslims— including stories of [[Children of Israel]]; some of these did exist, some did not and some others were distorted."

==Murder of 'Umar==