Al-Tabari does not simply tell one story. On page 111, he might present two or three different isnads that contradict each other. For example, one source says the persecution began with insults; another says it began with physical beatings. A modern historian reading this page learns that early Islamic history is not a monolithic narrative but a tapestry of oral traditions codified 200 years after the events. Al-Tabari’s honesty in including weak or disputed reports is his greatest gift to scholars.
Further Reading: For the complete context, refer to Al-Tabari, Volume 6: "Muhammad at Mecca," translated by W. Montgomery Watt and M. V. McDonald (SUNY Press, 1988), pp. 107-115. al tabari volume 6 page 111
Al-Tabari's "The History of al-Tabari" has had a profound impact on Islamic historiography. The historian's approach to recording the events of the Islamic world has influenced generations of scholars and historians. Al-Tabari does not simply tell one story
: As a historian, Al-Tabari often included multiple variants of an event without necessarily vouching for their absolute authenticity. His goal was to preserve all available oral and written reports for future scholars to analyze. A modern historian reading this page learns that
But Ḥasan, seeing the fear in the chief’s eyes, stepped forward. He placed a hand on his brother’s sword‑hilt and spoke softly:
: That evening, the Archangel Gabriel reportedly visited Muhammad and revealed that those two phrases were not from God.