The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 1 of 4

142 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
Similar reports from different lines of transmission also have Ibn CAbbas saying
that he was born on a Monday.
This, then, is a matter without dispute, namely that he was born on a
Monday. Unlikely, indeed in error, is the view of those who say he was born on
Friday, the 17th day, the month of Rabi' al-Awwal. This idea was transmitted
by the h~ji+ Ibn D&ya from what he had read in the book: Iclam al-Rumat br
Aclam al-Hud~ (Infrmmng the Nawators of the Ssgm of Rmghteomess) written by
certain Shicites. But then Ibn Dihya proceeded to denigrate this account; and it
is appropriate to criticize it since it contradicts authenticated tradition.
Most people believe that the birth occurred in the month of Rahic al-Awwal,
and, it is said, on the second day thereof. Ibn 'Abd al-Barr stated this in his
exhaustive study and al-Waqidi related it from Abii Ma'shar Nujayh b. 'Ahd
al-Wm~n al-Madani.
Some say that it occurred on the 8th of the month. Al-Humaydi related it so
from Ibn Hazm. Mslik, Wqayl, and Yiinis Ibn Yazid, and others related this
from al-Zuhri, from Muhammad b. Jubayr h. Muc4m.
Ibn 'Abd al-Barr recounted that the historians had verified this, and the great
Muhammad b. Masa al-Khawaizmi so determined it. The hiiji+ Abii
al-Khamb b. Diya considered it likely in his book: al-Tanwirfi Mamlrd al-Bashir
al-Nadhir (Enlrghtenment on the Bmrth of the Warn and the Bearer of Glad Tidmgs).
And it is said, in an account transmitted by Ibn Dihya in his book, that it
occurred on the 10th of the month; Ibn 'Asakiu related this from Abti Ja'far
al-B~qir as did Mujdid from alSha'bi, as above.
The birth is also said to have come on the 12th of the month. Ibn Ishxq states
this. Ibn Aba Shayha relates this too in his compilation, on the authority of
'Affa, from Sacid b. Minx', from Jabir and from Ibn 'Abbas, the latter two
having stated, "The Messenger of God (SAAS) was born in the 'year of the
elephant', on Monday the 12th of Rabic al-Awwal. On that same day he received
his mission, was carried up to heaven, emigrated from Mecca, and died. And
this is what is widely known to most people; but God knows best."
He is also said to have been born on the 17th, as Ibn Dihya reported from
some of the Shi'a. But also on the 8th, Ibn Dihya so stating from the writing of
the mazir, the government minister, Abii Me, son of the hi$? Aba Muhammad
b. Hazm, from his father. What is correct about the account of Ibn Hazm, the
first, that it occurred on the 8th, is as al-Humaydi recounted from him; this is
best established.
There is a second account, namely that he was born in Ramadan. Ibn 'Abd
al-Barr transmitted this from al-Zubayr b. Bakkar. This is a very strange statement.
Its basis is the fact that he doubtless received revelation in Ramadan, at
the beginning of the 40th year of his life. And so his birth should be in Ramadan.
However, this is debatable. But God knows best.