Tabi‘un

The Tābi‘ūn (Arabic: التابعون‎ "Followers") are the generation of Muslims who were born after the death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad but who were contemporaries of the Sahaba "Companions". As such, they played an important part in the development of Islamic thought and philosophy, and in the political development of the early Caliphate. In particular, they played a vital role in the partition in the Islamic community between Sunni and Shia Muslims. To this day, interpretations of their behaviour and characters are highly controversial.

Contents

Sunni view

Muslims from the Sunni branch of Islam define a Tabi‘in as a Muslim who:

  1. Saw at least one of the Companions of Muhammad.
  2. Was rightly guided (according to the Sunni, one who adheres to the beliefs and actions of the Ahlus Sunnah wal-Jama'ah).
  3. One who died in that state. A good example to explain would be the Khawarij. They saw many of Muhammad's [SALLALAHO ALAI HE WASSLAM] companions but still were not referred to as Tabi‘un, as they were not rightly guided (held by both Shia and Sunni Muslims).

Sunni Muslims also regard the Tabi‘un as the best generation after the Sahaba. According to Sunni Muslims, Muhammad said: "The best people are those living in my generation, then those coming after them, and then those coming after (the second generation)" [1].

List of Tabi‘in

Shia view

This list gives their approximate status in the general Shia view:

Strong positive status

Positive status

Neutral status

Abd Allah ibn Zubayr has not been viewed neutrally rather negatively among shi'ites for two reasons. 1. For bearing grudge against the Caliph and Imam of his time Ali Ibn Abi Talib and his role in Jamal war for inciting his father Zubair Ibn Awam to rise against Ali. 2. Ibn Zubair has been viewed as an opportunist who did not fight Yazid to protect the sanctity of Islam the way Hussain Ibn Ali did or to avenge the blood of the House Hold of the Prophet of Islam. Instead he fought Yazid to protect his own rule over Hejaz.

Negative status

Strong negative status

See also

References