The conversions of ʿAbdallāh ibn Salām (d. 43/633): A legendary moment in the biography of Muḥammad's Jewish companion
- 1 June 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies
- Vol. 84 (2), 237-261
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0041977x21000720
Abstract
The Jewish scholar ʿAbdallāh b. Salām is a legendary figure from early Islam who is regarded in Islamic tradition as the archetypal Jewish convert to Islam during the Prophet's career, the pre-eminent authority on Jewish scriptures in seventh-century Arabia, and a renowned Companion. This study examines the traditions on Ibn Salām's conversion that were recorded in the biographical literature and Quranic commentaries of classical Islam and identifies the literary tropes from Muḥammad's biography featured in these traditions. Scrutiny of the evidence shows that the reports on the date and circumstances of Ibn Salām's conversion were shaped by a number of factors, including, the biases of his descendants, Quranic exegesis, and anti-Jewish polemics. Ibn Salām's legendary conversion served as a vehicle for diverse groups of Muslims to promote their doctrines and supply the Prophet with Biblical legitimacy.Keywords
This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit:
- CONTRADICTORY EVIDENCE AND THE EXEMPLARY SCHOLAR: THE LIVES OF SAHNUN B. SAʿ ID (D. 854)International Journal of Middle East Studies, 2011
- The function of asbāb al-nuzūl in Qur'ānic exegesisBulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 1988
- Historical and Legendary Controversies between Mohammed and the RabbisJewish Quarterly Review, 1897
- Essai sur l’histoire des Juifs de Médine (fin)Revue des études juives, 1885