7. Al-Bedaya wa al-Nehaya1
We should not ignore the fact that the author of this book has crossed all
limits in issuing false statements and in making exaggerations. He has fabricated
such exaggerations and used foul language and without any proof, has reasoned
through taunting phrases. All this is for the Shia and only the Shia…from this
aspect, this book, instead of being a book of history, is a book of nonsense,
communalism and blind prejudice, due to which communal unity is shattered.
He has so much exceeded in the enmity of Ahle Bayt (a.s.) that wherever the
name of those divine personages is mentioned or there is some dimension of their
excellence, he attacks with spears of satire – please note the following examples
of Umayyad nature.
1. False statement one
He says: Ibne Ishaq and other biographers and historians have narrated that
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) established brotherhood between himself and Ali, and
numerous traditions are recorded on this topic, but none of them is authentic,
whether from the aspect of weak chains of authorities or from the aspect of their
text being weak.2
Reply to false statement one
If the reader refers to the reports mentioned above, their numerous authentic
chains of authorities, trustworthy narrators and its accurate narration from
scholars, experts and writers of biography, he would recognize the extent of
truthfulness and value of the statements of this man.
2. False statement two
The first authentic and widely narrated tradition that he mentions is that of
the ‘fowl’, which scholars of traditions have certified as authentic. After that he
has washed his hands from it saying: “Although this tradition has numerous
chains of narrators, my heart does not accept its authenticity, and Allah knows
best.”3
Reply to false statement two
Yes, this is the heart that God has sealed, otherwise, after conditions are
fulfilled, is there any scope of making such statements? Soon you will become
familiar with this tradition and its numerous chains of authorities.4
3. False statement three
He says: In view of some people – on the contrary majority of them believe
that Ali is the provider of drinks at the Cistern of Kauthar and this view is
absolutely baseless and is not narrated through reliable authorities. On the
contrary, the fact is that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) would be provider of
drinks.5
Reply to false statement three
The reader can never imagine that this report is merely an illusion of people.
In fact, this statement of his is a great allegation against leaders and scholars,
because the tradition is narrated through reliable authorities and prominent tradition scholars have narrated it. They have admitted to its reliability.6
4. False statement four
First he mentions the beginning part of the authentic tradition from Imam
Ahmad and Tirmizi regarding Islam of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and that he was
first to embraced Islam and pray the prayer and then says:
“In whatever way is this tradition narrated, it is not authentic; and with
regard to the fact that he was the first to embrace Islam, even though numerous
reports are narrated about it, but none of them is authentic.”
Reply to false statement four
Inspite of correct narrations and reporters being trustworthy, and their
testimony to its correctness, and acceptance of writers of biography, is there no
one, who may ask this man: “Why none of them from none of the channels is
authentic?”
While the fact is that they were accepted by companions and companions of
companions and if we only reason through this statement, the reader would think
that this is only a frivolous claim like that of Ibne Kathir. May God keep us from
such claims. As a result, the clear facts would remain concealed from him. So we
think it is necessary to present some evidences in brief: