Ka’ab ul Ahbaar and Umar

It is written in the book ‘Payambar (s.a.w.s.) wa Yahood e Hejaz’ that:

“Ka’ab ul Ahbaar, whose actual name is Ka’ab bin Maate’ was from Yemen and belonged to the tribe Humair. He accepted Islam at the time of Umar’s caliphate. His status near Umar was equal to the companions of the Prophet or even more.[1] The interest which Umar showed in acquiring the teaching of the ‘People of the Book’, which also enraged the Holy Prophet[2], was the reason why he thought of going after this idea at the time of his Caliphate and to utilize the knowledge of those who had newly converted to Islam. Therefore, he kept Ka’ab close to him and used to consult him regarding different issues and subjects.

          Ibn e Abil Hadeed has regarded Ka’ab as one of those men who deviated from Ali (a.s.) and he has written that Ali (a.s.) used to call him a liar[3]. Ka’ab ul Ahbar who passed away in the city of Hums in the 32^nd Hijrah[4], was considered authentic and reliable for centuries and his narrations have filled the books of history and Quran interpretations. Although, at present, due to the researches that have taken place lately, the face of Ka’ab is now covered with a thick veil of skepticism and doubt, which has made the work of the clerics of Rijaal (who authenticate the narrators) and the Sunni scholars extremely difficult[5]. Tabari has quoted an example of the Israelite stories that have been narrated from Ka’ab regarding the creation of the sun and the moon. In this report, Ibn e Abbas gets enraged over the words of Ka’ab and says thrice: Ka’ab has told a lie! Then he says in addition: ‘This is a Jewish belief and Ka’ab is trying to make it a part of Islam’[6].[7]

Umar used to seek suggestions and advices from Ka’ab not just in the religious issues but we have evidences that prove his consultation from Ka’ab in the political and diplomatic matters as well.

          It is narrated from Ibn e Abbas in the Amaali of Abu Jafar that he said:

‘In the closing days of his term of Caliphate, when he felt himself to be weak and incapable of managing the public issues, Umar used to pray continuously for his death. One day when I was present near him, he said to Ka’ab ul Ahbaar: I sense my death to be near and it is my will and wish to hand over the Caliphate to someone who is capable of this status after me, what is your opinion about Ali (a.s.)? What have you seen regarding this in your books? It is your faith that all our incidents have been mentioned in your book!

          Ka’ab said: According to my faith, Ali is incapable of this position. It is because he is a firm follower of the religion and he will not neglect any mistake that is committed. He will not even follow his own exegesis, and the people cannot be ruled in this manner. Although, that which I find in my books is that the power will not reach him or his sons and even if it falls in their hands, there will be excessive chaos!

Umar asked: Why?

Ka’ab said: This is because he has shed blood! Almighty God has prohibited the governance for such people! Just like Dawood (a.s.), when he decided to build Bait ul Muqaddas, God commanded him: ‘You are not appropriate for this work, because you have shed blood; this work should be done by the hands of SuleImaan!

Umar asked: Has Ali (a.s.) not shed these bloods justly?

Ka’ab said: O Leader of the Faithful! Did Dawood not shed blood with justice?

Umar said: Then inform me about those who will acquire the government?

Ka’ab said: I assume that after the Owner of the Sharia and his two companions, the power will reach those against whom the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) had fought for the stability of the religion itself (i.e. Umayyad dynasty).

On hearing this prediction, Umar recited the verse of ‘Isterjaa’ several times and turned towards Ibn e Abbas and said: I have heard a similar narration from the Prophet, he said:

“The Sons of Umayyah will ascend my pulpit. I have seen a dream in which apes ascend my pulpit and this verse was sent down regarding them:

(وَمٰا جَعَلْنَا الرُّؤْیَا الَّتِی أَرَیْنٰاکَ اِلاّٰ فِتْنَةً لِلنّٰاسِ وَالشَّجَرَةَ الْمَلْعُوْنَةَ فِی الْقُرْآنِ)

 “We did not appoint the vision that We showed you except as a test for the people and the tree cursed in the Qur’an”[8].[9]

          This historical event is worth a thought from different aspects: From this incident, we can figure out the hatred and enmity that Ka’ab had for the Leader of the Faithful, Ali (a.s.), and the reason behind this hatred is also very evident. It was due to the powerful hands of this man (Ali) that the Jewish magnificence was uprooted from the Arabian Peninsula and Ka’ab had understood that if Ali (a.s.) becomes the leader and takes the command in his hands, the Jewish influence will vanish forever. Therefore, Ka’ab preferred the power to fall in the hands of the Umayyad dynasty as the fate of Islam was not important for them and their only motive was to attain the worldly pleasures[10].[11]