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Abdullah ibn Saba was a fictional character created by Abdulaziz Al Sheikh in the mid 1960s^[1]

<references> Interview with Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Shaykh New York Times with John Smith <references>

^ Interview with Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Shaykh New York Times with John Smith

[1] Interview with Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Shaykh New York Times with John Smith

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+Abdullah ibn Saba was a fictional character created by [[Abdulaziz Al Sheikh]] in the mid 1960s<ref>Interview with Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Shaykh New York Times with John Smith</ref>
-{{multiple issues|expert=December 2008|refimprove=December 2008|quotefarm=April 2009|date=April 2009}}
-'''Abd Allah ibn Saba''' (c. 600&nbsp;– c. 670) is believed by followers of [[Shī‘a Islam]] to be a Jewish scholar who accepted Islam and resided in [[Medina]] at the time of [[Muhammad]]. The facts about his existence are, however, controversial.  [[Shia Islam|Shī‘a]] scholars refute the existence of ibn Saba.  They consider the stories of ibn Saba to be a [[smear campaign]] by the Sunni establishment throughout Islamic history. Some [[Salafi]] Muslim [[ulema|scholars]] claim ibn Saba was a Jewish convert who, they believe, laid the foundations of Shī‘ī Islam. Modern scholars of Islam deny this; they record him as a representative of a ''[[Ghulat|ghuluww]]'' group from the city of [[Al-Mada'in|Seleucia-Ctesiphon]] (''al-Madā'in'') who came to see ‘Alī in [[Kufa|Kūfah]]. When ibn Saba proclaimed ‘Alī's divinity, ‘Alī denied this angrily and sent him back to Seleucia-Ctesiphon.<ref>Heinz Halm, Shi'ism 2nd Edition p 155, (1987) 2004 Columbia University Press ISBN 978-0-231-13587-0</ref>
+<references>
-==Scholarly views==
+Interview with Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Shaykh New York Times with John Smith
-===Shī‘a views===
+<references>
-In recent years some scholars have questioned the existence of ‘Abdu l-Lāh ibn Saba'. [[Taha Hussein]], a well-known secularist Egyptian writer, noted that the absence of any record of ibn Saba being present at the battle of Siffin suggests that ibn Saba is a fictitious person.<ref name=Kubra>al-Fitnat al-Kubra, Vol. II, p.90</ref>  He suggests that the "fabrication" of ibn Saba was done by the enemies of the Shī‘a; that the insertion of a "Jewish element" would discredit the Shī‘a.<ref name=Kubra />
-Nibras Kazimi describes the story of ibn Saba as "Sunni propaganda" planted in an effort to create dissent within Shī‘a.<ref>p.58,[http://www.e-prism.org/images/CurrentTrends_4_-_Nov06.pdf   Yitzhak Nakash, "Zarqawi's anti-Shi'a Legacy: Original or Borrowed? Nibras Kazimi"] found in [[Current trends in Islamist Ideology]], volume 4,  Hudson Institute, Inc 2006. (Nakash work is Yitzhak Nakash,''Reaching for Power: The Shia in the Modern Arab World,'' (Princeton University Press, 2006, p.45 )</ref>  To support his argument he cites the work of another scholar, Yitzhak Nakash.
-On other hand, many respected Shī‘a scholars have agreed that Abdullah Ibn Saba existed. Among them are Abu Muhammad al-Hasan bin Musa al-Nubakhti,<ref>Book Firaq al-Shi'a: Nubakhti, pp.43,44</ref> Abu Amr bin Abdul Aziz al-Kash-shi,<ref>Rijaal al-Kash-shi: Abu 'Amr bin Abdul Aziz al-Kash-shi, p.101 al-Mamaqaani, author of "Tanqeeh al-Maqaal", who is an authoritative Shi'i biogrophist quoted the like in his said book, p.184</ref> Al-Hasan bin Ali al-Hilly,<ref>Kitaab al-Rijaal: al-Hilly, p.469, printed in Tehran, Iran 1383 h. From Ash-Shi'a wat-Tashayyu', p.56</ref> al-Astra Abadi,<ref>Manhaj al-Maqaal: al-Astar Abadi, p.203, from: Ash-Ashia wat-Tashayyu', p.56</ref>[[Al-Sadooq]],<ref>[[Man la yahduruhu al-Faqih]] 1/229</ref> and [[Al-Nawbakhty]].<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?q=+inauthor:%22%D8%A3%D8%A8%D9%8A+%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B3%D9%86+%D8%A8%D9%86+%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%89+%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%AA%D9%8A%22&hl=ar&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=2&safe=activeFeraq Al-Shia] page 19-20.</ref> These scholars assert that Abdullah bin Saba was of Jewish faith, then converted to Islam.  Upon conversion, scholars believe, bin Saba either claimed prophethood himself and that ‘Alī was Allah, or claimed prophethood for ‘Alī.  ‘Alī, fearing recrimination due to ibn Saba's beliefs, enjoined ibn Saba to retract his claims.  When ibn Saba failed to do so, ‘Alī took action, bin Saba was either exiled or executed, depending on the interpretation.  As each scholar's account is slightly different, the exact history is unknown.  Jewish histories appear to support this interpretation.<ref>Bibliography: Shatrastani al-Milal, pp. 132 et seq. (in Haarbrücken's translation, i. 200-201); Weil, Gesch. der Chalifen, i. 173-174, 209, 259</ref><ref>http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view_page.jsp?artid=189&letter=A&pid=0</ref><ref>http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=2&letter=K</ref>
-Most Shī‘a scholars believe that fabricated stories around the character of Abdullah Ibn Saba are the malicious production of Sayf Ibn Umar al-Tamimi. He was a story teller who lived in the second century after Hijrah.  Sayf shaped his stories based on primary facts he found in the documented history of Islam available at that time. Sayf wrote a novel in which the role of Satan was a fictional character named Abdullah Ibn Saba.
-===Sunni views===
-Abdullah ibn Saba was a [[Rabbi]] from [[Sana'a|Ṣan‘ā’]]. He pretended conversion to [[Islam]] during the caliphate of the third [[Rashidun|Rightly Guided Caliph]], [[Uthman ibn Affan|‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān]]. He was the son of Saba' ibn Shamūn, a Jew residing in Medina at the time of the second Rightly Guided Caliph, [[Umar|‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb al-Farūq]], who conspired to kill the second[[Caliph]]. His mother was a [[Habesha people|Habeshi]] woman named Sauda. Ibn Saba' swore revenge against the third Caliph for executing his father's companions, [[Hormuzan|Harmuzan]], [[Majus|al-Majūsi]] and Jafina [[Nasrani#In other languages|al-Nasrani]], while nurturing an exaggerated (''[[Ghali|ghulū]]'') love for the fourth Rightly Guided Caliph (then ‘Uthman's [[vizier]]) [[Ali|‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib]] for advising the execution of ‘Ubaid Allah ibn ‘Umar under the charges of murder against Harmuzan and Jafina.
-Tradition relates that when ‘Alī had assumed power, ibn Saba became an adherent of the emerging persuasion, and a strong supporter of ‘Alī. He is the first to introduce the concept of [[imamah (Shi'a doctrine)|the Imamate]]. He called for the divinity of ‘Alī. Ibn Saba initially did not openly preach these beliefs, but he later abandoned his secret and started a vigorous campaign.<ref>Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 25, p. 286</ref>{{Verify credibility|Hadith compilations, being primary sources for religious doctrine, are not acceptable Wikipedia sources.|date=January 2009}} However, when ibn Saba claimed that ‘Alī is himself God by addressing him with the words, "Thou art Thou!", ‘Alī declared him a heretic and burned some of his followers at the stake and expelled ibn Saba to al-Madā'in.{{Citation needed|reason=This needs to be cited by a verifiable reference.|date=January 2009}}
-After ‘Alī's assassination, ibn Saba is said to have taught that ‘Alī was not dead but alive and had never been killed, that a part of the Deity was hidden in him and that after a certain time he would return to fill the earth with justice. Until then the divine character of ‘Alī was to remain hidden in the Imams, who temporarily filled his place.<ref>Bibliography: Shatrastani al-Milal, pp. 132 et seq. (in Haarbrücken's translation, i. 200-201); Weil, Gesch. der Chalifen, i. 173-174, 209, 259.</ref>
-According to Sunni historical references, ibn Saba enticed the Muslims to kill ‘Uthman.<ref>[http://www.anwary-islam.com/companion/usman_bin_affan.htm Othman bin 'Affaan]</ref>{{Verify credibility|The source used is a religious article, not academic.|date=January 2009}} He also made mischief in the armies of ‘Alī and his opponents in the [[Battle of Camel]], forcing the battle to start, although both parties did not want it.
-Ibn Saba is thus considered by some Sunni writers as the originator of Shī‘ī Islam,<ref>[http://islamicweb.com/beliefs/cults/shia_answering.htm Who invented the Shia's sect? What is the origin of the Shi'ism (Shi3a)? This site is dedicated to answer those questions]</ref>{{Verify credibility|This is a religious article, not academic.|date=January 2009}} although on account of his extremism this is considered by Shi'a Muslims as a baseless accusation.<ref>[[Moojan Momen]], An Introduction to Shi`i Islam, Yale University Press, 1985;p. 46</ref> The [[Apostle Paul]] and ibn Saba have been said to be "Jewish agents" who infiltrated Christianity and Islam to destroy them from within.<ref>{{cite web|title=Historical Background of the Religion of Shiism|author=Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'at|url=http://www.geocities.com/~abdulwahid/ahlibayt/history_of_shiism.html|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5klWaiPpo|archivedate=2009-10-24|deadurl=yes}}</ref>{{Verify credibility|This is a religious article, not academic.|date=January 2009}}
-Multiple Sunni scholars state that Sayf Ibn Umar, who wrote extensively about ibn Saba, was untrustworthy, thus rejecting his accounts of ibn Saba.  For example, al-Dhahabi (d. 748 AH) has quoted from the book of Sayf in his History. In "al-Mughni fi al-Dhu'afa'" al-Dhahabi wrote:"Sayf has two books which have been unanimously abandoned by the scholars."<ref name="Dhu'afa' p292">al-Mughni fi al-Dhu'afa', by al-Dhahabi, p292</ref>
-==Sayf ibn Umar==
-{{link-interwiki|en=Sayf Ibn Umar|lang=ar|lang_title=سيف بن عمر}} al-Dhabbi al-Usayyidi al-Tamimi l (8th century AD&nbsp;– ce 750 AD)  wrote two books {{Verify credibility|date=April 2009}} which were available even during the reign of the Umayyads. ''al-Fotooh wa al-Riddah'' is the history of the period before the death of the Prophet Muhammad until the third Caliph Uthman resumed office as the ruler of Muslim world.  ''al-Jamal wa Maseeri Aisha wa Ali''  is the history from the murder of Uthman to the battle of Jamal (the fight that happened between Ali ibn Abi Talib and some companions spearheaded by Hazrat Aisha, Hazrat Talha and Zubair).{{Verify credibility|date=April 2009}}
-The Shī‘a believe that both works are fabricated. Prominent early Sunni scholars have generally thought the same<ref>Yahya Ibn Mueen (d. 233 AH) wrote: "Sayf's narrations are weak and useless."</ref><ref>Abu Hatam (d. 277 AH) wrote: "Sayf's Hadith is rejected."</ref><ref>Ibn Abi Hatam (d. 327 AH) wrote: "Scholars have abandoned Sayf's narrations."</ref><ref>Ibn Habban (d. 354 AH) wrote: "Sayf attributed fabricated traditions to the good reporters. He was accused of being a heretic and a liar."</ref><ref>Ibn Abd al-Barr (d. 462 AH) mentined in his writing abut al-Qa'qa: "Sayf reported that al-Qa'qa Said: I attended the death of the Prophet Muhammad."Ibn Adb al-Barr continued: "Ibn Abu Hatam said: Sayf is weak. Thus, what was conveyed of the presence of al-Qa'qa at the death of the Prophet is rejected. We mentioned the Sayf's traditions for knowledge only."</ref><ref>al-Darqutini (d. 385 AH) wrote: "Sayf is weak".
-</ref><ref>Firuzabadi (d. 817 AH) in "Towalif" mentioned Sayf and some others by saying: "They are weak."</ref><ref>Ibn al-Sakan (d. 353 AH) wrote: "Sayf is weak."</ref><ref>Safi al-Din (d. 923 AH) wrote: "Sayf is considered weak."</ref><ref>Ibn Udei (d. 365 AH) wrote about Sayf: "He is weak. Some of his narrations are famous yet the majority of his narrations are disgraceful and not followed."</ref><ref>Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (d. 852 AH) wrote after mentioning a tradition:"Many reporters of this tradition are weak, and the weakest among them is Sayf."</ref> including al-Hakim,<ref>al-Hakim (d. 405 AH) wrote: "Sayf is accused of being a heretic. His narrations are abandoned."</ref> Abu Dawud,<ref>Abu Dawud (d. 316 AH) wrote: "Sayf is nothing. He was a liar. Some of his Hadiths were conveyed and the majority of them are denied."</ref> al-Suyuti<ref>al-Suyuti (d. 900 AH) wrote: "Sayf's Hadith is weak."</ref> and al-Nisa'i<ref>al-Nisa'i (d. 303 AH) wrote: "Sayf's narrations are weak and they should be disregarded because he was unreliable and untrustworthy."</ref> The Shī‘a point out that although al-Dhahabi mentions Sayf ibn Umar as a weak narrator, stating "Sayf has two books which have been unanimously abandoned by the scholars",<ref name="Dhu'afa' p292"/> he also accepts the story of Abdullah ibn Saba relayed from Sayf ibn Umar in his book. However, these are not the only scholars of Baghdad citing that Sayf's sources are not reliable.
-Shī‘a believe Sayf Ibn Umar distorted the biographies of the companions of Mohamed to please the government of his time, to distort the history of Shia, and to ridicule Islam. Sayf was a staunch advocate of the Umayads, who were known throughout history to be one of the worst enemies of Ahlul-Bayt, and as such, it was in his best interest to invent such stories to degrade the Shia. In his stories however he followed many other goals one of which was to cleverly elevate the status of his tribe over others by inventing some imaginary companions form his tribe. However many Sunni scholars found numerous unjustifiable heresies in his reports which was not limited to the issue of Abdullah Ibn Saba, and consequently they abandoned his reports, and accuse him as a man of forgery and lies. Yet Sayf's works are supported by a minority of Sunnis to this date.
-==See also==
-* [[Ghulat]]
-* [[Dhammiyya Shia]]
-==Notes==
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-<div class="references-small">
-{{Reflist}}
-</div>
-[[Category:Islamic history]]
-[[Category:Shi'a Muslims]]
-[[Category:Converts to Islam]]
-[[ar:عبد الله بن سبأ]]
-[[fr:`Abdullah ibn Saba']]
-[[id:Abdullah bin Saba']]
-[[ru:Абдаллах ибн Саба]]