Kitab at-Tabaqat al-Kabir Volume 5
Translated by Aisha Bewley
£19.99
What happened when the Sahaba began to pass away? Volume 5 of the Tabaqat series introduces the Tabi‘un—the Successors. It is the story of how the first generation’s wisdom was captured and preserved for us today.
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While we know much about the Companions, but we often overlook the Tabi‘un (Successors) that continued to carry the torch of Islam after the Companions.
The Men of Madina II is dedicated to these Tabi‘un who preserved the living Sunnah. Ibn Sa‘d details their scholarship, their worship, and their interactions with the remaining Companions. By reading their biographies, you see how the seeds of Islamic law and spirituality were nurtured in the second and third generations of Islam. It is a masterclass in how Islam transitioned from a living presence to a recorded tradition.
This is the fifth volume of Kitab at-Tabaqat al-Kabir by Muhammad ibn Sa‘d, one of the most important and earliest surviving primary sources for the study of early Islamic history. The series is a meticulously preserved record of the lineages, characters, and contributions of the men and women who built the foundational community of Islam.
This collection is masterfully translated by the renowned Aisha Bewley, whose work is celebrated for retaining the technical nuances of the original Arabic while providing a flowing and clear narrative for the lay reader.
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This item: The Men of Madina II
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this too academic for a general reader?
While it is a scholarly text, Aisha Bewley’s translation is specifically designed to be readable and engaging, focusing on the narrative rather than technical terminology.
Is the translation reliable?
Aisha Bewley is a world-renowned, award-winning translator with decades of experience in bringing classical Arabic texts to the English-speaking world.
Does it include the chains of narration (isnad)?
No, this abridged version focuses on the core text to ensure a smooth reading experience while maintaining historical integrity.
Why should I buy Ibn Sa‘d’s books over a modern history book?
Because Ibn Sa‘d was writing within a few generations of the events themselves, these books give you a flavour that modern books simply cannot come close to. This is the raw primary source that will take you back to those foundational years of pure Islam.
Who are the “Men of Madina” in this volume?
These are primarily the Tabi‘un—the generation that followed the Sahaba—who lived in Madina during the Umayyad period.
Are these people less important than the Sahaba?
While the Sahaba have a higher rank, the Tabi‘un are our direct link to them. Without them, we would have no recorded Sunnah.
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