The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 44
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 44 are unified in the assertion that he is a prevaricator of the truth and a liar. This does not mean that all of his narrations were incorrect and false. Even the greatest of liars do not lie at all times. Rather, the truth is that many statements made by a liar are also truthful and in accordance with the facts. However, on the other hand, there is no doubt that an authoritative conclusion cannot be drawn upon the statements of a habitual liar. It is an undeniable fact that Wāqidī was an exceptional scholar and the scope of his historical knowledge was so vast that perhaps no other historian of his age could contend. It appears as if the breadth of his knowledge was actually the cause of his arrogance. Instead of expressing his ignorance in relation to a certain matter, he would present self-fabricated facts in order to falsely preserve his dignity. As such, a research scholar makes an excellent statement in that, “If Wāqidī is truthful, he is like no other; and conversely, if he is a fabricator, even still he is unparalleled. ” 1 Regrettably, European scholars are enamoured by the very eloquent speech and extensive knowledge of Wāqidī. Their concern is not if he was truthful or a liar, if his custom was to speak after investigation like a prudent Muḥaddith , or just to speak nonsense. European scholars are only concerned with the fact that whatever Wāqidī asserts, he asserts with detail, and that he illustrates with words, in a manner that the reader feels as if he is present at the scene. If his statement is contradictory to an authentic Ḥadīth or sound narration, they are not bothered, as for them, all narrations are one and the same; and except for their own inadequate intellect, no other testimony is worthy of belief. The people of the West are not at all interested in how Muslim research scholars exhausted the whole of their lives in order to scrutinize and authenticate each and every narration; and to establish a true system of analysis in the science of narration, following a thorough investigation as to the accurate details of the life of every single narrator. It is impossible to halt someone’s pen and tongue; however, we wish to present the opinions and statements relevant to Wāqidī, made by Muslim research scholars, whose honesty and trustworthiness have been accepted by all: 1 Tahzībut-Tahzīb, By Imām Al-Ḥāfiẓ Shihāb-ud-Dīn Abul-Faḍl Aḥmad bin ‘Alī bin Ḥajar Al-‘Asqalānī, Volume 5, “Muḥammad bin ‘Umar bin Wāqidul-Wāqidī”, pp. 234-235, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, Second Edition (1993)