Sadd al-Abwab: Difference between revisions

Sadd al-Abwab or “Closing of Doors” refers to closure of doors which were opened to [Masjid al-Nabi]. In the third year after [Bi’that], [Prophet Muhammad (s)] was ordered by God to close all the doors of houses permanently, which were opened to Masjid al-Nabi, except for [Ali ibn Abi Talib]’s (a) house. This [hadith] was frequently narrated, [Mutawatir] hadith (frequent), in [Shi’a] and [Sunni] sources. The hadith of Sadd al-Abwab is regarded as a privilege for Imam Ali (a). He referred to this hadith in the six-member-council that was formed for choosing successor of Prophet Muhammad (s).

Prophet Muhammad (s) planned to build a mosque in [Yathrib] when he entered the city, which later was called Masjid al-Nabi (The mosque of Prophet Muhammad). Afterwards a number of houses were built around the mosque for Prophet Muhammad (s) and a number of his wives. Then several [companions] of Prophet Muhammad (s) built their houses around the mosque. All these houses had an exit door and an extra door leading to this mosque. They used it for entering Masjid al-Nabi in [praying] time. However, in the third year after [Hijrat], God ordered Prophet Muhammad (s) to close all of the doors of houses which could be opened to Masjid al-Nabi, except for Ali ibn Abi Talib’s house.

According to sources, [Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib], Prophet’s uncle, became upset and said to Prophet (s): “Are you telling your uncle to leave, while you are keeping your cousin?” Prophet replied: “I did not keep him, but it is God’s order.”

[Ibn Shahr Ashub] has narrated this incident from different narrators. As he said, the hadith of Sadd al-Abwab was narrated by thirty companions of Prophet Muhammad (s) such as: [Zayd ibn Arqam], [Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas], [Abu Sa’id al-Khudri], [Umm Salama], [Abu Rafi’] etc.  

[Ibn al-Bitriq] has mentioned eleven hadiths from different sources on this incident in the twentieth chapter of his book called “Fi Sadd al-Abwab min al-masjid illa bab Ali”. [Al-Qanduzi] has mentioned numerous hadiths with different sources in the seventeenth chapter of the book “[Yanabi’ al-Mawdda]’” called “Fi sadd al-Abwab min al-masjid illa bab Ali”. [Ibn Asakir] has allocated thirty pages of his book, “Tarjume-e (Translation) of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a)” on this hadith.

According to [Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi] the hadith of Sadd al-Abwab is regarded as a [Mutawatir] hadith. [Allama al-Amini] has explained in his book, [Al-Ghadir]: “Sunni scholars have narrated the hadith of Sadd al-Abwab with numerous and [Sahih] (authentic) sources from a number of companions of Prophet (s), which can be regarded as Mutawatir (frequent) hadith.”

The hadith of Sadd al-Abwab is regarded as a special privilege of [Ali ibn Abi Talib (a)]; a desire for everybody. [Hakim al-Neyshaburi] has narrated this hadith and expressed that Sadd al-Abwab is among Sahih (authentic) hadiths: “As narrated from [Umar ibn Abd al-Khattab]: “Ali was gifted with three attributes, I wished I had only one of them: 1) Marrying [Lady Fatima (s)], 2) Settling in Masjid al-Nabi and having what Prophet Muhammad (s) had, 3) Prophet Muhammad (s) gave him the flag of Muslims’ army in [the battle of Khaybar].”

In addition, according to a narration from [Abd Allah ibn Umar]: “Ali ibn Abi Talib (a) was given three privileges, which I strongly desired: 1) He was married to Lady Fatima (s), and then they were the parents of [Hasan (a)] and [Husayn (a)] 2) In the battle of Khaybar, Prophet Muhammad (s) said: “I will give the flag of Muslims’ army to a person who is loved by God and his Prophet.” and it was given to Ali ibn Abi Talib (a); 3) God ordered to close all the doors of houses leading to Masjid al-Nabi except for Ali’s house.”

A six-member council was held after the demise of [Prophet Muhammad (s)] in order to choose his successor. In the meeting Ali ibn Abi Talib (a) mentioned the incident of Sadd al-Abwab: “Is there anyone who is regarded privileged by the Holy book of God, so as Prophet Muhammad (s) closed all the doors of the [Immigrants]’ houses leading to Masjid al-Nabi, but mine?”

[Ibn Abi l-Hadid], Sunni [Mu’tazila] scholar, expressed that the hadith of Sadd al-Abwab on Abu Bakr is a fake hadith which is created by [Bakriya] (followers of Abu Bakr), as he said: “Bakriya are followers of Abu Bakr, who created hadiths for Abu Bakr in contrast to the hadiths which were narrated on Ali ibn Abi Talib (a).”