Story Of Ibn Ishaq: Islamic Historiography Milestone

 

Source: wisata.viva.co.id.

At this article, we will discuss Ibn Ishaq, Islamic Historiography s milestone. He is one writter from Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam that mentioned by title Al-Sirah an-Nabawiyya/ Sirat Rasul Allah . And, though before his age, was exist Islamic Historian who write about Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam, but Ibn Ishaq  ripen historiography s method at his work until we can know Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s biography systematically. Please read this article until end and subscribe my blog for more informations about Islamic History and Civilization. It is easy verb for you, but have big role for help our blog s development  that focuss at Islamic History and Civilization.

Ibn Ishaq, has complete name Muhammad ibn Ishaq ibn Yasar. Ibn Ishaq originated from Medina and his grandfather, Yasar, is one Christiant Child who prisoned by Rashidun Commander Khalid Ibn Walid at Ayn Tamar, Iraq at 633 AD, when Rashidun Campaign againt Sassanid Dynasty.  Ibn Ishaq born at 704 AD and die at 767/768 AD. According Philip.K.Hitti, Ibn Ishaq s work , Sirat Rasul Allah  is first book that discuss about Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s biography.

But, according Badri Yatim, Ibn Ishaq studied about Islamic Historiography from one Early Islamic Historian, Ibn Shihab az-Zuhri. Ibn Shihab, is one Medinan Scholar and also writter from Book of Maghazi  ( Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s wars).  Ibn Shihab az-Zuhri, has two students who next his debute at Islamic Historiography, Ibn Ishaq and Musa ibn Uqba. Musa ibn Uqba, write book that have same title with his teacher, Maghazi. And, he also follow his teacher s method that prioritzed chronology.  According Syuaib al-Arnauth, Editor from Siyar Alam an-Nubala  by Imam Dhahabi, one manuscript from Musa s work that discuss about Battle of Badr 624 AD,  saved at Library of Borussia, German.

At this time, exist 3 groups from Islamic Historians. Group of Medinan Historians that focuss at Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s biography. Group of Iraqi Historians that focuss at Islamic Political History,. And Group of Yemeni Historians that focuss at folklores and Pre Islamic History. Ibn Ishaq, get knowledge about historiography from Medinan Historian , Ibn Shihab az-Zuhri.

Ibn Ishaq, write two book about Islamic History. First, he write about Propeth Muhammad Shalahu Alaihi Wasallam s biography that titled Sirat Rasul Allah. Al-Sirat al-Nabawiyah. And , second, he write about history from Islamic Caliphs from Rashidun Caliphate to Umayyad Caliphate ( 632-750 AD).

According Badri Yatim, Ibn Ishaq s book, Sirat Rasul Allah, split into 3 volumes. First volume , Al-Mubtada, about history about Islamic Propeths, from Propeth Adam Alaihissalam to Propeth Isa Alaihissalam and History from Arabia Peninsula, included History of Yemen and History of Arabian Tribes. Second volume, Al-Mabath, discuss Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s preach, and Third volume, Al-Maghazi , about Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s battles. He present his work to Abbasid Caliph, Abu Jafar al-Manshour (ruled 754-775 AD)  And, according Philip.K.Hitti, Ibn Ishaq s work achieve us by critic edition that edited by Ibn Hisham.

Badri Yatim write , that Ibn Ishaq s works included characteristic from Medina, Iraq, and Yemen s Historians. Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s biography from Medina Historians, Islamic Political History from Iraqi Historians, and Pre Islamic History from Yemen Historians.  He also used Yemen Folklores and Bibles from his source. That make him get many critics from many Medinan Historians who focuss at Hadiths ( Islamic Oral Tradition from Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam ) because Ibn Ishaq many quoted from bibles. At future, next historian, Ibn Hisham ( die 834 AD)  revisited Ibn Ishaq s work and throw materies that dont match with Hadiths Knowledge. Ibn Ishaq die at 767/8 AD at Medina. May Allah Subhanahuwataala bless him.

Refrences:
Hitti, Philip.K: History Of The Arabs: Rujukan Induk dan Paling Otoritatif Tentang Sejarah Peradaban Islam, Penerbit Serambi, 2006 M.

Yatim, DRS.H.Badri: Historiografi Islam,  Penerbit Logos Wacana Ilmu, 1997 M.

Imam ad-Dzahabi: Siyar Alam an-Nubala Jilid 1: Pembahasan Sejarah Nabi ( Kelahiran Rasulullah Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam-Perang Khandaq), Tahqiq oleh Syuaib al Arnauth & Team, Pustaka Azzam, 2017.

Asyhad, Moh Habib: Ibnu Ishaq Adalah Seorang Ilmuwan Bidang Sejarah Di Masa Dinasti Abbasiyah, Begini Riwayat Hidupnya, accesed 16 September 2025, 06: 48 AM.