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 text refers to a critical section within the English translation of Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk (The History of the Prophets and Kings) by the legendary Persian scholar Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari . Published in English by the State University of New York (SUNY) Press, Volume 6 is titled Muhammad at Mecca . This specific page sits at the heart of one of the most intense theological and academic debates in Islamic history: the narration commonly known as the incident of the "Satanic Verses" ( Gharaniq ). Context of Volume 6: Muhammad at Mecca
Al Tabari, also known as Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, was a renowned Persian historian, scholar, and Quranic commentator who lived from 838 to 923 CE. He is best known for his monumental work, "The History of the Prophets and Kings" (also known as "Tarikh al-Tabari" in Arabic), which is considered one of the most important and influential historical works in Islamic literature.
in the standard English translation (SUNY series, translated by Muhammad Dawood) falls within the events of the Caliphate of Abu al-Abbas al-Saffah (the first Abbasid Caliph), specifically dealing with the consolidation of Abbasid power and the hunting down of the remaining Umayyad family members.
On this page, Al-Tabari records a narration detailing a moment when the Prophet Muhammad was deeply eager to find a reconciliation with his tribe, the Quraysh, who had rejected his monotheistic message. According to the narrative found on : al tabari volume 6 page 111
After the decisive Muslim victory at Badr, the Muslims captured approximately 70 Meccan polytheists. Page 111 records the ongoing deliberations among the Prophet Muhammad and his Companions regarding how to treat these prisoners. Key elements on this page include:
: Upon reaching the controversial phrases, Gabriel informed Muhammad that he did not bring those words. The page records Muhammad's subsequent distress and his statement: "I have fabricated things against God and have imputed to Him words which He has not spoken".
refers to a highly debated page in the English translation of Tarikh al-Rusul wa-al-Muluk (The History of the Prophets and Kings), authored by the famous 9th-century Muslim scholar Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari . This specific page falls under the volume titled Muhammad at Mecca , translated and annotated by W. Montgomery Watt and M.V. McDonald. It documents the controversial historical account commonly referred to in Western academia as the "Satanic Verses" episode (known in Islamic scholarship as the Gharaniq incident). The Text and Narrative on Page 111
When seeking information about a specific page (e.g., ), several challenges arise due to the nature of classical Arabic texts and their modern editions. Below is a structured approach to help you find relevant scholarly material or contextualize the content: The joyous Quraysh were overjoyed, as they saw
"I have fabricated things against God and have imputed to Him words which He has not spoken" The Resolution
The tradition reports that Gabriel subsequently informs Muhammad that Satan had cast these words onto his tongue during a moment of desire to reconcile with his people.
: While reciting, Satan allegedly "cast upon his tongue" words praising three pagan goddesses (al-Lat, al-Uzza, and Manat) as "high-flying cranes" whose intercession is desired.
Key elements present on this page include: Published in English by the State University of
The text notes that while reciting Surah An-Najm (Chapter 53) near the Ka'bah, words were cast onto his tongue:
This literary usage had a seismic impact, causing a firestorm of controversy across the Muslim world. It transformed an academic and theological debate about a questionable historical report into a modern clash over blasphemy, freedom of speech, and the limits of artistic expression.
: Later, the angel Gabriel visited Muhammad, rebuked him for reciting what God had not revealed, and the verses were corrected to their current form in the Quran (53:21-23), which rejects the goddesses. Context and Authenticity Purpose of the Record : Al-Tabari was a compiler who recorded various reports ( ) with their chains of narration (
Hearing their idols praised alongside Allah, the pagan leaders of Mecca rejoiced and prostrated themselves with the Muslims at the end of the recitation.