A New Manuscript on the Last Days of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW): A Narrative by Mu‘adh ibn Jabal

A recently discovered manuscript at Dār al-Kutub in Egypt, titled Qiṣṣat Mu'ādh ibn Jabal, offers new perspectives on Prophet Muḥammad's final days. This version, longer than previously published editions, follows Mu'ādh ibn Jabal's quest to learn about the Prophet's death while he was in Yemen. The narrative shows Mu'ādh consulting successively with Abū Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthmān, before finally receiving a detailed account from 'Alī. This structure appears to promote reconciliation between Sunni and Shia perspectives by acknowledging all four caliphs while highlighting 'Alī's role. The manuscript also provides fresh insights into crucial events surrounding the Prophet's death, including the succession dispute and Fāṭima's death, potentially contributing to a better understanding of early Islamic history.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)