Various fictional narratives exist in Islamic history one of which reaches its peak in propagated storeys about the reported murder of Asma bint Marwan. Analysis conducted by Muslim scholars proves the assassination storey of Asma bint Marwan to be unfounded (mawdu') and untrue. Research suggests this incident lacks valid sources and relies only on weak and untrustworthy narrators to create the baseless narrative.
Analysis of the Popular Narrative:
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) supposedly gave permission for the death of a female poet who composed verses criticising Islamic beliefs according to several recorded histories. The assassination order exists within Musnad al-Shihab (856) by Al-Qada'i together with three other texts like Tarikh Baghdad (13/99) by Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi and Tarikh Dimashq (51/244) by Ibn Asakir and Fawa'id (50) by Ibn Umar al-Harbi. Scholars determined the narration void of authenticity through their analysis of its isnad because its chain was fabricated.
Analysis of the Chain of Transmission:
First Narration’s Isnad:
Arabic: مُحَمَّد بْنُ حَجَّاجٍ الْلَخْمِي أَبُو إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْوَاسِطِي → مُجَالِد بْنُ سَعِيدٍ → الشَّعْبِي → ابن عباس (رضي الله عنه)
English: Muhammad ibn Hajjaj al-Lakhmi Abu Ibrahim al-Wasiti → Mujalid ibn Sa'id → Al-Sha'bi → Ibn Abbas (RA).
The key narrator in this chain, Muhammad ibn Hajjaj, has been declared a fabricator and liar by esteemed scholars of hadith:
• Imam al-Bukhari (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) – "He is munkar al-hadith (his narrations are rejected)." (Mizan al-I'tidal, 3/509)
• Ibn Ma'in (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) – "He is a despicable liar."
• Al-Daraqutni (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) – "He is a liar."
• Ibn 'Adi (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) – "This hadith was fabricated by Muhammad ibn Hajjaj." (Al-Mawdu'at, 3/18)
Second Narration’s Isnad:
Arabic: مُحَمَّد بْنُ عُمَر الْوَاقِدِي → عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ حَارِثٍ → أَبُوهُ
English: Muhammad ibn Umar al-Waqidi → Abdullah ibn Harith → His father.
The key narrator in this chain, Al-Waqidi, has been deemed unreliable by leading scholars of hadith:
• Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) – "He is a liar; he alters hadith."
• Ibn Ma'in (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) – "He is neither trustworthy nor reliable."
• Imam al-Bukhari (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) – "He is matruk al-hadith (his narrations are rejected)."
• Abu Hatim and Al-Nasa'i (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) – "He fabricates hadith."
(Sources: Mizan al-I'tidal, 3/663; Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, 9/163)
Analysis confirms that the storey about Asma bint Marwan's assassination exists solely as a manufactured and baseless account. None of the authentic Islamic sources document this event while scholars of hadith fail to confirm its truth. The tale continues to spread throughout history as part of a plan to discriminate against Islamic teachings.
Authentic Islamic texts alongside trusted scholars are necessary to acquire accurate information about Islam as well as the history of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
References:
• Imam al-Bukhari, Mizan al-I'tidal, Vol. 3, p. 509
• Ibn Ma'in, Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil
• Imam al-Daraqutni, Al-'Ilal
• Ibn al-Jawzi, Al-Mawdu'at, Vol. 3, p. 18
• Shaykh al-Albani, Silsilah al-Da'ifah, Hadith 6013
• Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Al-'Ilal
• Ibn Asakir, Tarikh Dimashq, Vol. 51, p. 244
• Ibn Hibban, Al-Majruhin, Vol. 2, p. 269
• Al-Qada'i, Musnad al-Shihab, Hadith 856
© Abdullah Al Asif
02/11/2016