A Reflection on the Narration of Ibn Sād from the Issue of the Allah’s Apostle’s Succession

Abu ‘Abd Allah Muḥammad ibn Sa‘d ibn Mani‘ (168-230 AH-784-845 AD), known as ibn Sa‘d the historian and biographer, is the author of a very detailed and elaborate compilation of Tabaqat al-kubra. He was known as a trustworthy reporter of the narrations among the scholars and historians and so historians have referred to him very much. Meanwhile, the issue of the succession of the Allah’s Apostle (S) was reported in Tabaqat al-kubra, the ibn Sa‘d’s book, so that clearly reveals the author's efforts in highlighting his beliefs. In these reports, ibn Sa‘d suggested to the reader that the only favorite candidate for the Allah’s Messenger (S) for his succession was none other than Abu Bakr; while it ignores the opposition reports as well as the privileged position of Imam Ali (as) in the traditions of the Prophet (S). Using analytical-descriptive method, this paper seeks to uncover the truth about the selective and distorted reports of the author of Tabaqat on the issue of the succession of the Prophet (S).