A Studyof the Transmittedness of the Near-Sacrifice Narration of Isaac (a.s.)in Majma al-Bayan Interpretation

This article tackles one of the best examples of the narrations known as the "transmitted" which deal with zabihullah(sacrificed for God) issue. Most Sunni scholars accept thenear-sacrifice narration of Isaac (a.s.). Although Tabarsihas quoted the narration in question,he does seemto have accepted it. What has been neglected in this context is the point that thenear-sacrifice narration of Isaac (a.s.) as quoted from Majma’ al-Bayan does not occur in the early Shiitehaithresources and it rarely occurs in the later resources. Furthermore, there are some narrations in Shiitehadithbooks and, at times, in Sunnis books which oppose thenear-sacrifice narration of Isaac (a.s.) and they point out that Ishmael(a.s.) was nearly sacrificedfor God.Occurrence of rare quotes in the early Sunni resources such as al-Mawardiand quotes without proof make it likely thatthenear-sacrifice narration of Isaac (a.s.) has been transmitted from Sunni books by Amin al-IslamTabarsi. Therefore, the narration in question has not been uttered by Imam Ali (a.s.) but, due topolitical motives and reliance on what individuals like Kabal-Ahbarhas said, this point has been attributed to him.