Scribes of Divine Revelation

Q: Describe the work carried out by the scribes of divine

revelation in writing down the revelation. (10)
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) could neither read nor write therefore many of his close
companions used to help him in administrative and religious matters such as
writing letters and treaties for him e.g. Hazrat Ali (R.A.) wrote the treaty of
Hudaibiya. They were called ‘Scribes’ or ‘Secretaries’. They included Hazrat
Usman, Hazrat Ali, Khalid bin Waleed and Mua’wiyah bin Abu Sufyan. In all about
10 -14 Muslims performed these writing duties for the Holy Prophet (pbuh). They
are also known as ‘Katibeen-e-Wahi’.

Important among these Muslims were those who are particularly remembered for
their work of writing down the divine revelation. The Holy Prophet (pbuh)
received revelations for about 23 years from 610-632 A.D. These revelations were
received, recited and dictated by the Holy Prophet (pbuh) to his scribes.

There used to be at least one scribe available with the Holy Prophet (pbuh) for
this sacred task. They wrote revelation on different materials which included
pieces of leather, tablets of stone, palm leaves and bones of camels. They also
memorized them by heart. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) not only dictated the
revelations but also ask the scribes to recite to him what they had written, so that
he could correct any mistake that might have been committed by them. The
scribes recorded the revelations and also inserted new ones according to the
instructions of Holy Prophet (pbuh).

The Holy Quran itself refers to this task of the scribes in the following words: “And
they say tales of ancient which he has caused to be written and they are
dictated before him morning and evening”. This verse which mentions the Holy
Prophet’s enemies accusing him for copying ancient stories, Allah has called the
Scribes, honorable, pious and just as the Holy Quran says: “(It is) in books held
(greatly) in honor exalted (in dignity) kept pure and holy (written) by the hands
of scribes honorable and pious and just”. This verse makes an important
reference to his systematic dictation of the revelation for others to write down.

Some of the scribes of the divine revelation are as follows;

1. Abdullah ibn Masood (R.A.)

He was one of the main scribes of the divine revelation who was officially
appointed by Holy Prophet (pbuh). He was one of the early converts who liked to
remain close to the Holy Prophet (pbuh). He accepted Islam in the 4th year of
Prophethood. He was the first Muslim to recite Holy Quran publically at Ka’bah
for which he was beaten by the Quraish. He was among those who migrated to
Abyssinia and later to Madina. He took part in the battle of Badr, where he killed
Abu Jahl, leader of Quraish. Since he was regularly in the presence of Holy
Prophet (pbuh), therefore he knew the Holy Quran very well. He remained close
to the Holy Prophet (pbuh). He would attend to his needs both inside and outside
the house. He would carry his staff and Miswak and attend to his other personal
needs. About Abdullah ibn Masood, Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “If anyone likes to
recite the Quran as fresh as it had revealed then he must recite it on the reading
of Abdullah ibn Masood”. He narrated 848 Hadis from Holy Prophet (pbuh). He
died in 32 A.H.

2. Ubayy bin Kaab (R.A.)

He accepted Islam during the second pledge of Aqaba. He was first among the
Ansar’s to accept Islam. He was a scribe of Holy Prophet (pbuh). He was among
those companions who were trainers of reciters of the Holy Quran. He used to
memorize the revelations as the Holy Prophet (pbuh) recited them. He possessed
his own collection of Holy Quran. He also led the first Tarawih prayer. He died in
29 A.H.

3. Zaid bin Sabit (R.A.)

He was born in Madina. He accepted Islam at the age of 11 years. He memorized
the Quran with such a grace that Holy Prophet (pbuh) used to ask him to recite it.
He was a learned person and could speak many languages. He became Holy
Prophet’s secretary and on his behalf he corresponded with the Jews. After the
death of Holy Prophet (pbuh), he played a very leading part. He compiled the Holy
Quran during the Caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) and Hazrat Usman (R.A.)
Whenever Hazrat Umar (R.A.) left Madina, he was appointed as acting Caliph. He
passed away at the age of 56 years in 45 A.H.
 Important Personalities during the
Lifetime of Holy Prophet (pbuh)

1.Hazrat Bilal (R.A.)

He was a Negro by birth. He was an Abyssinian slave. He was the first slave and
seventh converter of Islam. He was the slave of Umayyah bin Khalaf. Umayyah bin
Khalaf inflicted much torture on him. He used to lay Hazrat Bilal (R.A.) on the
burning sand near mid-day. He would tie a rope around his neck and hand over its
end to the children of the city to drag him all around. Even in such torment Hazrat
Bilal exclaimed ‘Ahad’, ‘Ahad’ (Allah is one). On this statement, his master laid
him down on burning sand with his face downwards and put a heavy stone upon
his back so that he could not even move. Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) saw this painful
condition of Hazrat Bilal (R.A.) and was grieved, so he purchased him freedom
from his master after paying a heavy price. When Holy Prophet (pbuh) came to
know about it, he said: “O Abu Bakr, let me share this sacred deal”.

Hazrat Bilal migrated to Madina on the advice of Holy Prophet (pbuh) in 622 A.D.
In 1 A.H., when Masjid e Nabwi was constructed, he was appointed as the 1st
Muazzin of Islam by the Holy Prophet (pbuh). He also worked as a secretary of
Holy Prophet (pbuh). He used to manage the household affairs of Holy Prophet
(pbuh) and also trusted with the public treasury by the Holy Prophet (pbuh). He
was along with the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in all military campaigns. He killed his
former master Umayyah bin Khalaf in the Battle of Badr. When Holy Prophet
(pbuh) entered Ka’bah after the Conquest of Makkah, he asked Hazrat Bilal (R.A.)
to climb the roof of the Ka’bah and deliver Azaan. Hence Hazrat Bilal had a special
honour of being the first one to proclaim Azaan in the Masjid of Prophet and then
in Ka’bah. He was elevated to a position of great esteem in society. The Holy
Prophet (pbuh) himself performed his Nikkah ceremony with the daughter of
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.). After the death of Holy Prophet (pbuh), he always
hesitates to deliver Azaan because he missed Holy Prophet (pbuh) a lot. He took
permission from the Caliph and went towards Syria to perform Jihad. When
Hazrat Umar (R.A.) visited the conquered land, he asked Hazrat Bilal to call out
Azaan. He agreed to give Azaan and this was the last Azaan given by Hazat Bilal.
He died in 20 A.H. in Damascus and was buried there. The life of Hazrat Bilal
contains several lessons. He is a glorious example of respect, honour and
elevation to a higher position in Islamic society.

2. Hazrat Abu Sufyan

He was the leader of Banu Umayyah. He was a rich merchant of Makkah. When
Holy Prophet (pbuh) offered Islam to Quraish, he not only refused to accept it but
also became his enemy. He remained one of the bitterest enemies of Islam from
40th to 60th year of Prophet’s life. He was one of the reasons of the battle of Badr
because it was he who asked for the help from Quraish when he was returning
with his caravan from Syria. He was the leader of the Quraish army in the battle of
Uhad which was fought in 3 A.H. and Muslims suffered heavy losses in that battle.
In the battle of Uhad his wife, Hinda tried to chew the liver of Hazrat Hamza after
killing him. He was also the leader of Quraish army in the battle of Trench in 5
A.H. However Muslims were able to defeat them after digging a Trench. When
Quraish dissolved the Treaty of Hudaibiya in 8 A.H., he came to Madina and tried
to persuade Holy Prophet (pbuh) to restore the treaty. He also tried to seek help
from Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar, Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Fatima (R.A.) for this
purpose however Holy Prophet (pbuh) refused his proposal. He accepted Islam in
8 A.H. just before the Conquest of Makkah. At the time of Conquest of Makkah,
Holy Prophet (pbuh) granted him special status and gave him honour by declaring
his house a place of refuge for Makkans. He supported Muslims in future battles
like he participated in the battle of Hunain and siege of Taif. He lost his one eye in
the siege of Taif and his second eye in the battle of Yarmuk. During the Caliphate
of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.), he was appointed as the governor of Najran and Hijas.
He had an owner to be the father-in-law of Holy Prophet (pbuh) as his daughter,
Umm e Habibah was married to Holy Prophet (pbuh). He narrated over 100 Hadis.
He died in 32 A.H. at the age of 83 years in Makkah.

3.Hazrat Hamza (R.A.)

He was 2 years older than Holy Prophet (pbuh). He was related to Holy Prophet
(pbuh) in many ways. He was the uncle of Holy Prophet (pbuh) and son of his
maternal aunt as well as his foster brother. He was found of wrestling and
hunting. He had a great love for Holy Prophet (pbuh). Once he returned from a
hunting trip, when he came to know that Abu Jahl abused and insulted Holy
Prophet (pbuh). He rushed to Abu Jahl’s place and took the revenge of Holy
Prophet (pbuh) by hitting him on his head with a bow and he declared his
conversion to Islam. He accepted Islam in 6th year of Prophethood. His conversion
strengthened Islam as he was an influential person. He suffered the hardships of
the social boycott in Shabi Abi Talib for 3 long years for the sake of Islam and Holy
Prophet (pbuh). He migrated to Madina in 622 A.D. as per the instructions of Holy
Prophet (pbuh). In 2 A.H., Holy Prophet (pbuh) made him the leader of 30 men
and sent them to check the Makkan caravan. He took part in the battle of Badr
and in the single combat he killed Utba, who was a strong warrior and father of
Hinda. In this battle Quraish were demoralized because of Hazrat Hamza and
Hazrat Ali. In the battle of Uhad 3 A.H., Hinda hired a slave name Wahshi to
avenge the death of her father from Hazrat Hamza. He was martyred by Wahshi
during the battle of Uhad. After his death his body was mutilated by Hinda, who
cut out the liver from his body and tried to chew it. Then she cut off the nose and
ears of the dead body and made a necklace of them. Holy Prophet (pbuh) was so
grieved on his death that he offered his funeral prayer for 70 times. Holy Prophet
(pbuh) gave him the title of ‘Chief of Martyr’.