This volume is the English translation of Volume VII, Part 1 of Ibn Saʿd’s monumental work Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir — a cornerstone of early Islamic historiography. In this section, the eminent historian Muhammad Ibn Saʿd presents detailed accounts of the Companions (Sahabah), their Followers (Tabi‘un), and later generations of scholars from Basra, Baghdad, Khurasan, Syria, and Egypt.

What makes this work particularly compelling is its portrayal of how these early Muslims responded to times of trial and civil strife (fitna). In an era when divisions and upheavals were testing the moral fiber of the community, Ibn Saʿd carefully records the attitudes, decisions, and steadfastness of the Companions and their successors. His narratives offer timeless lessons for readers today, illuminating how faith, wisdom, and integrity guided the early generations through crises that resonate with our own age.

Focus on the Men of Madina

In Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir, Volume VII, Part 1: The Men of Madina, Ibn Saʿd turns his attention to the luminaries of Madina—the city that served as the spiritual and political heart of the Muslim world. Through meticulous documentation, he chronicles the lives, virtues, and contributions of those who shaped the foundations of Islamic civilization during and after the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Biographical Richness and Historical Insight

The volume offers a vivid collection of biographical sketches—from the most renowned Companions such as Abu Bakr, Umar, and Ali, to lesser-known figures whose dedication sustained the growing Muslim community. Each account reveals not just their achievements, but the moral and intellectual spirit that animated early Islamic society.

Guidance in Leadership and Governance

Ibn Saʿd also highlights the role of these men in governance, justice, and communal leadership. Their engagement in public affairs—balancing authority with humility and justice—provides an enduring model for ethical leadership. His precise, documentary style enables readers to see how these early Muslims navigated the complexities of faith and politics with discernment and piety.

Overall, this volume is not merely a historical record but a window into the soul of the early Muslim community—its principles, its struggles, and its moral courage. Through Ibn Saʿd’s masterful narrative, readers are invited to rediscover the human and spiritual dimensions of those who built the foundation of an enduring civilization.

Product Details

• Author: Ibn Sad
• Translator: Aisha Bewley
• Publisher: Taha Publishers
• Language: English
• Format: Paperback
• Print length: 337 Pages
• ISBN 13: 9781897940624
• Weight 2.0 lbs
• Dimensions: 5.8 x 8.3 inches
• Condition: Used Very Good

 

About the Author and Translator: Aisha Abdurrahman Bewley

Aisha Abdurrahman Bewley is one of the foremost translators and interpreters of classical Islamic literature into the English language. Born in the United States in 1948, she embraced Islam in 1968 and has since dedicated her life to bringing the timeless wisdom of the Arabic and Islamic intellectual tradition to a global audience. A scholar of languages by training, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in French and a Master’s in Near Eastern Languages from the University of California, Berkeley.

For more than four decades, Aisha Bewley has been a guiding voice in Islamic translation and scholarship. Her deep mastery of Arabic and her commitment to authenticity have made her works essential reading for students, teachers, and seekers of Islamic knowledge throughout the world. She is best known for co-translating The Noble Qur’an: A New Rendering of Its Meaning in English with her husband, Shaykh Abdalhaqq Bewley—an acclaimed translation praised for its clarity and linguistic precision.

Her prolific body of work includes translations of foundational texts such as Tafsir al-Jalalayn and Ash-Shifa (Muhammad, Messenger of Allah) by Qadi ‘Iyad, as well as numerous works on fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), Sufism, and spiritual purification. Each translation reflects her careful attention to both the linguistic beauty of the Arabic original and the spiritual resonance of its message.

Recognized as Muslim Woman of the Year by The Muslim 500, Aisha Bewley’s lifelong contribution has opened doors for English-speaking readers to encounter the depth and sophistication of the Islamic heritage. Her writings and translations continue to illuminate the path for those seeking authentic understanding of Islam’s sacred texts and its living tradition.