[Refuting the Rāfidi’s allegations concerning Muāwiya, may Allah be pleased with him:
“They called him a scribe of revelation, though he never wrote a single word for him.”]
Chapter
As for the Rāfidi’s statement:
“They called him a scribe of revelation, though he never wrote a single word (1) of revelation for him.”
This is an assertion made without evidence or knowledge (2). What proof is there that he did not write a single word (3) of revelation for him, (4) but only wrote letters for him?
And as for his statement:
“There were more than ten scribes of revelation, and Ali was the foremost and closest of them to him.”
There is no doubt (5) that Ali was also among those who wrote for him, just as he drafted the peace treaty between him and the polytheists in the year of al-Hudaybiyya. Abū Bakr and Umar also wrote for him, as did Zayd ibn Thābit [without doubt] (6).
It is related in the two Sahih collections that when the words
“Those believers who remain behind are not equal”
Surat al-Nisā
were revealed, Zayd ibn Thābit wrote them down [for him] (7). Abū Bakr and Umar also wrote for him,
(1) A and B read: “and he did not write even a single word for him…” S, R, and H read: “and he did not write a single word…”
(2) N and M read: “without knowledge or proof.”
(3) A and B read: “He did not write even a single word for him…”
(4) (*…*) The text between the asterisks is omitted in W.
(5) A, B, and S read: “and there is no doubt.”
(6) The words “without doubt” occur only in A and B.
(7) The words “for him” are added in A and B. W reads: “Zayd ibn Thābit wrote it.” The hadith of al-Barā ibn Āzib—may Allah be pleased with him—is recorded in al-Bukhārī, 6/48 (Book of Tafsīr, Sūrat al-Nisā: “Those who remain behind are not equal…”), and Muslim, 3/1508–1509 (Book of Governance, chapter “The Obligation of Jihad Is Waived for Those with Valid Excuses”). Muslim’s wording states that he heard al-Barā say concerning the verse, “The believers who remain behind and those who strive in the way of Allah are not equal” (al-Nisā, 95): The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—instructed Zayd, who brought a shoulder blade on which to write it. Ibn Maktūm then complained to him of his blindness, whereupon the words were revealed: “The believers who remain behind—other than those with disabilities—are not equal.” A hadith to the same effect, narrated by Zayd ibn Thābit—may Allah be pleased with him—is recorded in *al-Musnad* (al-Halabī ed.), 5/191, and *Sunan Abī Dāwūd*, 3/17 (Book of Jihad, chapter “The Concession to Remain Behind Due to an Excuse”). See also Ibn Kathīr’s commentary on verse 95 of Sūrat al-Nisā.