Al Tabari Volume 6 Page 111 May 2026

Report: Analysis of Ta'rikh al-Rusul wa'l-Muluk (The History of Al-Tabari), Volume 6, Page 111

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Below is a concise, stand‑alone overview of what scholars commonly identify on page 111 of the sixth volume of Ibn Jarīr al‑Tabarī’s monumental universal history. Because the exact pagination can vary slightly between different editions (Arabic, English translation, or modern reprints), the description focuses on the that most printed editions place around that location rather than on a line‑by‑line transcription.

Legitimacy vs. Power

| Theme | How It Appears in the Text | |-------|---------------------------| | | The Abbasids invoke the Prophet’s alleged letter and the notion of “restoring the rightful caliphate,” while the Umayyads rely on dynastic continuity and military might . | | Tribal Politics | Detailed mention of tribal loyalties (Banu Tamim , Kinda , Banu Ghatafan ) showcases how the caliphate’s stability hinged on tribal negotiations . | | Prophetic Tradition (Sunnah) | The Abbasid propaganda emphasizes adherence to the Sunnah to attract pious Muslims , contrasting with the Umayyads’ perceived worldliness . | | Narrative Technique | Al‑Tabarī often inserts “According to the tradition of X” (ḥadīth al‑raḍī) and “Some say…” (ba‘ḍ al‑naṣāʾir) to signal differing opinions, a hallmark of his historiography. | al tabari volume 6 page 111

Methodological Approach

Significance of this page:

Page 111 is historically important because it illustrates the emergence of Islamic legal principles concerning prisoners of war (fiqh al-asra). It shows the shift from tribal norms (indiscriminate killing or enslavement) to a rule-based system that allowed for ransom, grace, or conditional release based on social benefit (literacy teaching). Scholars of Islamic jurisprudence and early Muslim social policy frequently cite this section of Al-Tabari. Report: Analysis of Ta'rikh al-Rusul wa'l-Muluk (The History

• Identify the exact edition you are using (Arabic critical edition, Rosenthal English translation, or other). Page numbering varies by edition and language.
• Provide: author (al-Tabari), title (Ta'rikh al-Rusul wa'l-Muluk), volume number, editor/translator, publisher, year, and page number. Example (if using Rosenthal): al-Tabari, The History of al-Tabari, vol. 6, trans. Franz Rosenthal, State University of New York Press, [year], p. 111 — replace with exact publication details from your copy.

A report from the Abbasid camp

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: Most orthodox Muslim scholars reject the authenticity of this specific report, citing flaws in the chains of narration and arguing it contradicts the doctrine of (prophetic impeccability/protection from error). Source Reference Identify the exact edition you are using (Arabic

1. Legitimacy through Force: It illustrates that the transfer of power was not just a change in administration but a bloody purge. The Abbasids (descendants of the Prophet’s uncle, al-Abbas) sought to eradicate the "corrupt" lineage of the Umayyads.
2. Tribal Dynamics: It highlights how the old tribal alliances of Syria (the traditional power base of the Umayyads) crumbled, and the new allegiances to the Abbasids in Iraq and Khorasan solidified.
3. Al-Saffah’s Policy: The Caliph’s title, Al-Saffah (The Spiller of Blood or The Generous), is contextualized here. While generous to his supporters, he was merciless to the remnants of the previous dynasty.