THE TRUTHFUL SCRIPTURE (AS-SAHEEFATUS SAADIQAH)

It is reported in the book, Asaadul Ghaabah that Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-Aas (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) was the first person to write Ahaadith in the presence of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) with his permission. He compiled these Ahaadith in a scripture which he called 'As-Saadiqah'. Significantly, this scripture is considered to be the most important historical document which reveals the fact that Ahaadith was recorded during the life-time of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam)

This scripture contains a thousand Ahaadith. Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-Aas (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) was one of the Sahaabah (Radhiyallaahu Anhum) who accepted Islam very early after its advent. This had given him a bigger advantage to compile a greater number of Ahaadith despite the fact that other Sahaabah (Radhiyallaahu Anhum) were capable of writing, and memorizing the Ahaadith.

Hadhrat Abu Huraira (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) reports that no one has reported so many Ahaadith from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) than I have, except Hazrath Ibn Amr Ibn Al-Aas (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) since he was able to write and I couldn't'.

Due to the abundance of Ahaadith, Hadhrat Ibn Amr Ibn Al-Aas memorized and wrote, many numerous Ahaadith of the Sahaaba (Radhiyallaahu Anhum), displayed great enthusiasm in listening to him and reporting from him. Once Ummul Muúmineen Hazrath Ayisha (Radhiyallaahu Anha) instructed her nephew Úrwah Ibn Az-Zubayr (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) saying, 'Oh` son of my brother! It has reached me that Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-Aas will be passing by on his way to Hajj, so you should meet him and request him for knowledge as he has acquired a great amount of knowledge from Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam).

Imaam Mujaahid Ibn Jubayr Al-Makki (RA) states, 'I have seen a scripture with Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-Aas (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) and had asked him about it, he said, 'This is 'As-Saadiqah', it contains what I have heard directly from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). There is no narrator between myself and the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam).

Ibn Saád reports, that Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-Aas (Radhiyallaahu Anhu) stated, 'I sought permission from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) to write whatever I have heard from him (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and he permitted me and I wrote'.

The reason why he called it 'As-Saadiqah' (The Truthful) is that because he wrote it while Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) reported these Ahaadith to him.

Translated by: Moulana Khalid Yacoob
for: Al-Jamiat Publications

Islamic Info

Source:  Jamiatul Ulama (Kwazulu-Natal)