✦ The Month of Death of Sayyidunā Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه: Historical Analysis ✦
❖ Question:
Did Sayyidunā Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه pass away in Jumādā al-Ūlā or Jumādā al-Ākhirah? While the widely known date is 22nd Jumādā al-Ākhirah, a narration from al-Mustadrak of al-Ḥākim mentions Jumādā al-Ūlā. What is the correct position according to Islamic scholarship?
❖ Answer by:
Fadhilat al-Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
Fadhilat al-Bāḥith Abdul Khaliq Sayf ḥafiẓahullāh
① According to most historical sources, the death of Sayyidunā Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه occurred on
22nd Jumādā al-Ākhirah, 13 AH (corresponding to 23 August 634 CE).
② This date is found in:
◈ Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī (2/344)
◈ Al-Muntaẓam by Ibn al-Jawzī (4/124)
These are well-known and widely accepted sources.
① The narration in al-Mustadrak mentions Jumādā al-Ūlā, but it includes Muḥammad ibn ‘Umar al-Wāqidī in its chain.
② Al-Wāqidī is known to be severely criticized by Hadith scholars for weakness and unreliability.
③ Due to this weak chain, most researchers have not accepted this narration as authentic.
① According to IslamWeb, al-Iṣābah also mentions Jumādā al-Ūlā, which indicates that there is some scholarly discussion on this matter.
② However, since the majority of scholars and historians have supported Jumādā al-Ākhirah, this remains the stronger and preferred opinion.
✔ The more reliable and widely accepted historical opinion is that Sayyidunā Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه passed away on 22nd Jumādā al-Ākhirah, 13 AH.
✔ The narration from al-Mustadrak is weak due to the presence of al-Wāqidī, a known weak narrator.
✔ Although further academic research is encouraged, the consensus of major scholars and classical historical sources supports Jumādā al-Ākhirah as the correct date.
❖ Question:
Did Sayyidunā Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه pass away in Jumādā al-Ūlā or Jumādā al-Ākhirah? While the widely known date is 22nd Jumādā al-Ākhirah, a narration from al-Mustadrak of al-Ḥākim mentions Jumādā al-Ūlā. What is the correct position according to Islamic scholarship?
❖ Answer by:
Fadhilat al-Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
Fadhilat al-Bāḥith Abdul Khaliq Sayf ḥafiẓahullāh
✦ Popular and Widely Accepted Reports
① According to most historical sources, the death of Sayyidunā Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه occurred on
22nd Jumādā al-Ākhirah, 13 AH (corresponding to 23 August 634 CE).
② This date is found in:
◈ Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī (2/344)
◈ Al-Muntaẓam by Ibn al-Jawzī (4/124)
These are well-known and widely accepted sources.
✦ Analysis of the Narration in
① The narration in al-Mustadrak mentions Jumādā al-Ūlā, but it includes Muḥammad ibn ‘Umar al-Wāqidī in its chain.
② Al-Wāqidī is known to be severely criticized by Hadith scholars for weakness and unreliability.
③ Due to this weak chain, most researchers have not accepted this narration as authentic.
✦ Reference in
① According to IslamWeb, al-Iṣābah also mentions Jumādā al-Ūlā, which indicates that there is some scholarly discussion on this matter.
② However, since the majority of scholars and historians have supported Jumādā al-Ākhirah, this remains the stronger and preferred opinion.
✦ Conclusion
✔ The more reliable and widely accepted historical opinion is that Sayyidunā Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه passed away on 22nd Jumādā al-Ākhirah, 13 AH.
✔ The narration from al-Mustadrak is weak due to the presence of al-Wāqidī, a known weak narrator.
✔ Although further academic research is encouraged, the consensus of major scholars and classical historical sources supports Jumādā al-Ākhirah as the correct date.