The narrative recorded on Page 111 describes a moment when Prophet Muhammad was deeply distressed by the alienation of his tribe, the Quraysh. According to the report compiled by al-Tabari, Muhammad strongly desired a revelation that would reconcile his people to his message. The Inadvertent Recitation
The joyous Quraysh were overjoyed, as they saw this as the Prophet accepting their ancestral religion. However, the Archangel Jibril (Gabriel) soon arrived with a harsh rebuke, asking Muhammad: "What have you done? You have recited to the people that which I did not bring to you from God, and you have said that which was not said to you." The Prophet was then stricken with remorse for having, as the now-famous quote says,
The page details a historical narrative (traditionally debated by scholars) regarding the revelation of :
Understanding al-Tabari’s Tarikh: A Case Study of Volume 6, Page 111
The obscure debate surrounding Volume 6, Page 111 was thrust into the global spotlight with the 1988 publication of Salman Rushdie’s novel, The Satanic Verses . Rushdie explicitly drew on the accounts of historians al-Waqidi and al-Tabari for the novel’s central conceit. al tabari volume 6 page 111
This passage is a prime example of al-Tabari’s methodology. Unlike later compilers who might have omitted "embarrassing" or controversial narrations to protect a specific theological narrative, al-Tabari aimed to preserve all available reports—even those that were later heavily scrutinized or rejected by scholars. Today, while many traditional scholars reject the authenticity of this incident, it remains a subject of intense academic study regarding early Islamic history in al-Tabari’s work or more about his historical methodology
The text on page 111 captures the aftermath of this event. It describes the Angel Gabriel coming to the Prophet to review the chapter and stating, "I did not bring you these two [lines]" . According to this compilation, the Prophet then lamented, "I have fabricated things against God and have imputed to Him words which He has not spoken." The text notes that God subsequently comforted the Prophet by revealing Surah Al-Hajj (22:52), stating that whenever previous messengers spoke or recited, Satan threw interference into their recitations, but God abrogates what Satan casts. Al-Tabari’s Methodology as a Historian
To understand why this text exists on page 111, one must understand Imam al-Tabari's methodology as a historian. Writing in the late 9th and early 10th centuries, al-Tabari’s goal was not to write an infallible, highly vetted theological book, but rather an exhaustive historical chronicle.
In some printings, page 111 transitions to the (762 CE) – an early Abbasid‑era event that illustrates how the new regime consolidated power in Iraq: The narrative recorded on Page 111 describes a
The encyclopedic work Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk (The History of Prophets and Kings) by Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari stands as a primary foundational source for early Islamic history.
: His explicit philosophy was to record every report ( riwayah ) circulating in the Muslim world during his time, accompanied by its chain of transmitters ( isnad ).
Non-Muslim secular historians, such as William Montgomery Watt, often viewed the incident with historical curiosity, arguing that early Muslims would unlikely invent a story that seemed superficially embarrassing to their prophet. Conversely, Islamic apologists and scholars emphasize that early historical works like The History of al-Tabari were never meant to be read as absolute scripture, but rather as raw compilations requiring rigorous source criticism.
This article examines the context, content, and scholarly significance of this specific passage. Context: The Meccan Period and Resistance However, the Archangel Jibril (Gabriel) soon arrived with
The detailed accounts provided by al-Tabari, such as those found on , have had a lasting impact on Islamic historiography. His work serves as a fundamental reference for scholars and historians, offering a rich source of information on early Islamic history. Moreover, al-Tabari's balanced approach to recording events, which includes diverse perspectives and rationales behind significant decisions, has been a model for subsequent historians.
Volume 6 of The History of al-Tabari (page 111 in the SUNY Press edition) documents the "Satanic Verses" incident, where Muhammad reportedly expressed distress over mistakenly uttering verses praising pagan idols, according to early traditions. While recording this account, al-Tabari includes reports that are generally viewed as unauthentic by many scholars, who note he often compiled varying historical traditions without verifying all as true. Explore the source text further at SUNY Press Kalamullah.Com
Key elements to look for on that page
Volume 6 of Al-Tabari’s historical chronicle covers the pre-Islamic history of the Arabian Peninsula, Prophet Muhammad's early life, and his prophetic mission up to the Hijrah (migration to Medina).