Book Review: Abdullah Ibn Saba and Other Myths Murtada Al-'Askari

Abdullah Ibn Saba and Other Myths

Book Review: Abdullah Ibn Saba and Other Myths Murtada Al-'Askari

Before Buying, Better to Read the Book Review: Abdullah Ibn Saba and Other Myths Murtada Al-'Askari by Legaproblema.com - What if one man fiction became another historical gospel? This provocative question lies at the heart of Abdullah Ibn Saba and Other Myths by Sayyid Murtadha al-’Askari, a critical work that dismantles centuries-old narratives embedded in Islamic historiography. The book challenges the legitimacy of Abdullah ibn Saba, a shadowy figure often blamed for fomenting early Muslim schisms between Sunni and Shia factions. Al-’Askari meticulously scrutinizes Saif ibn ‘Umar al-Tamimi, a 2nd-century historian whose accounts of Ibn Saba-a Jewish convert allegedly responsible for stirring discord-were uncritically adopted by later scholars like al-Tabari⁶⁷. Through forensic analysis, al-’Askari reveals Saif penchant for inventing characters, fabricating battles, and weaving supernatural elements into “history,” including talking cattle and miraculous desert transformations, which are absent in other historical records⁵⁷.

Book Details

Author

Sayyid Murtadha al-’Askari

Original Language

Arabic

Translation

English

Publisher

Ansariyan Publications

ISBN

–

Length

250 pages

Genre

Historical critique / Islamic studies

Structure and Contents

Why is debunking Saif ibn ‘Umar methodology crucial to understanding Islamic myths? Al-’Askari exposes contradictions in the chains of narration (sanad) and highlights Saif reliance on fictional characters, which undermines the credibility of the Ibn Saba narrative⁷. The book traces how the Saba’iyyah legend evolved into a political scapegoat used to explain sectarian strife, particularly between Sunni and Shia communities. By contrasting Saif accounts with contemporaneous historians like Baladhuri, al-’Askari reveals the inconsistencies and deliberate fabrications embedded in early Islamic historiography⁷.

• Debunking Saif methodology: Exposes contradictions and fictional narrators⁷.
• The Saba’iyyah legend: Traces political scapegoating of Abdullah ibn Saba⁶.
• Comparative analysis: Contrasts Saif narratives with other historians’ records⁵.

Strong Points of the Book

What makes al-’Askari work stand out in the study of Islamic myths? The book strength lies in its rigorous source-critical approach, dissecting 23 fabricated narrators cited by Saif ibn ‘Umar⁷. Al-’Askari detailed table comparing Saif battle accounts with verified historical events exposes glaring discrepancies that challenge the authenticity of these stories:

Saif Account	Actual Events
Miraculous sand-to-water transformations	No corroboration in non-Saif sources
Ibn Saba rebellion in Egypt	Zero mention in Egyptian historical records

This meticulous analysis not only discredits Saif narratives but also highlights how myth stories have been weaponized to serve political agendas, perpetuating Sunni vs Shia divides through fabricated history⁹.

Impact and Legacy

How does a 20th-century critique reshape over 1,300 years of entrenched dogma? Al-’Askari work compelled both Sunni and Shia scholars to re-examine foundational texts and question the historical validity of the Ibn Saba myth. Even critics acknowledge his “overwhelming arguments” that expose the myth as a literary construct rather than a historical figure⁷. The book has become a cornerstone in the study of early Islamic political mythology, influencing contemporary discourse on sectarianism and historiography.

Murtada Al-'Askari

Criticism of the Book

Despite its scholarly rigor, some detractors argue that al-’Askari overemphasizes Saif ibn ‘Umar influence on Islamic historiography, potentially oversimplifying complex historical developments⁷. Certain Sunni historians initially dismissed the work as sectarian, though its reliance on Sunni-approved rijal (biographical evaluation) methods complicates such critiques and underscores the book academic integrity⁷. Moreover, critics point out that Ibn Saba story appears in other early sources, challenging al-’Askari assertion that Saif was the sole originator of the myth⁹.

Comparison With Other Similar Books

Title	Focus	Methodology
Reinventing Islamic History (W. Madelung)	Umayyad-era historiography	Less focused on individual mythmaking
The Origins of Shia Islam (J. Eliash)	Doctrinal development	Does not address the Saba’ narrative

Myth Stories in Islamic Discourse

Why do myth stories persist so strongly in religious histories? Islamic myths, including the legend of Abdullah ibn Saba, often serve political legitimization needs, shaping sectarian identities and justifying power structures. Al-’Askari demonstrates how Saif fabrications bolstered Umayyad claims against Ali supporters, embedding myth stories deeply into Sunni vs Shia tensions⁷⁵⁹. These myths have been perpetuated through centuries, influencing religious and political discourse far beyond their historical veracity.

Sunni vs Shia: The Mythological Divide

Is the Ibn Saba myth merely a projection of Sunni vs Shia tensions onto early Islamic history? Al-’Askari argues that sectarianism emerged from later political power struggles rather than apostasy or theological disputes, with the myth serving as a convenient tool to delegitimize opposing factions²⁶⁷. This mythological divide has been instrumentalized to deepen sectarian rifts, obscuring the complex socio-political realities of early Islam and perpetuating misunderstandings between communities.

Final Ruling

Abdullah Ibn Saba and Other Myths by Murtada Al-'Askari is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to understand how history can be weaponized through myth stories. While its dense and scholarly nature may challenge casual readers, the book offers a masterclass in source criticism and historiographical analysis, with implications far beyond Sunni vs Shia debates. It invites us to critically reassess the narratives that have shaped Islamic history and encourages a more nuanced understanding of sectarian origins.

Citation

1. https://irhj.sbu.ac.ir/article_100948.html?lang=en
2. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ISLAM.2010.003/pdf
3. https://al-islam.org/abdullah-ibn-saba-and-other-myths-sayyid-murtadha-al-askari/truth-behind-fiction
4. https://www.academia.edu/91366738/Sayf_Ibn_Umar_in_Medieval_and_Modern_Scholarship
5. https://islamreigns.wordpress.com/tag/sayf-ibn-umar-al-tamimi-and-abdullah-ibn-saba/