Saf ibn Sayyad
Saf ibn Sayyad (Arabic: الصف بن الصياد), later known as Abdullah ibn Sa'id (Arabic: عبد الله بن سعيد), was an alleged claimant of prophethood during the time of Islamic prophet Muhammad and his companions who later disappeared after the Ridda wars. Umar bin Khattab and even some scholars today speculate that he might be the Ad-Dajjal who would later come in this world as the False Messiah.
Saf ibn Sayyad | |
|---|---|
الصف بن الصياد | |
| Born | 7th Century AD |
| Disappeared | December 632 Plain of Aqraba, Al-Yamama, Najd, Rashidun Caliphate (now Saudi Arabia) |
| Status | Deceased |
| Other names | Abdullah ibn Sai'id |
| Known for |
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Early life
He was born in an Arabian Jewish family. From his name, his father might be Sayyad.
His unreasonable hostility towards Muhammad since childhood gives a firm reason for the scholars to speculate that he is Ad-Dajjal.
Claims of prophethood in childhood
Ibn Sayyad claimed he was a prophet when he was on the threshold of adolescence, and was initially believed to be the False Messiah (Dajjal), as his characteristics were the same as those of the False Messiah:
It was narrated that Muhammad met Ibn Sayyad, at that time Ibn Sayyad was just at the threshold of adolescence. Muhammad said: "Don't you bear testimony to the fact that I am the Messenger of Allah?" Ibn Sayyad said: "No, but you should bear testimony that I am the messenger of Allah." Thereupon `Umar ibn Khattab said: "Allah's Messenger, permit me that I should kill him." Thereupon Muhammad said: "If he is that person [the Dajjal] who is in your mind, you will not be able to kill him, and if he is not, then killing will not do you any good."[1]
Characteristics
Hanafi Islamic scholar Dr. Israr Ahmed referred a narration in which he said that Saf ibn Sayyad had the biological ability to watch and see from his back. Moreover, he was also quoted that:
He use to sleep, but his heart (i.e., mind) was awake
In Sahih Muslim, some narrations also conclude that Saf ibn Sayyad had the ability to read people's minds.
Muhammad said to him: "I have concealed for you (something to test you, so tell me that)."
He said: "It is Dukh."
Thereupon Muhammad said to him: "Be off. You cannot get farther than your rank." [2]
Denial of being the Dajjal in adulthood
In adulthood Ibn Sayyad repented and embraced Islam:
Nafi' reported that Ibn `Umar met Ibn Sayyad (now known as Abdullah ibn Sa'id) and said to some of his friends: "You state that it was he (the Dajjal)." Ibn Sa'id said: "By Allah, it is not so". Ibn `Umar said: "You have not told me the truth; by Allah some of you informed me that he would not die until he would have the largest number of offspring and huge wealth and it is he about whom it is thought so."[3]
Abu Sa`id al-Khudri reported: Ibn Sa'id said: "What I have gathered from people is that they think that I am Dajjal. Has Muhammad not said that he would be a Kafir whereas I am a Muslim and he also said that he would not have children, whereas I have children, and he also said: verily, Allah has prohibited him to enter Mecca whereas I have performed Pilgrimage." He also said: "I know his place of birth his abode where he is just now."[4]
Disappearance
Saf ibn Sayyad participated along with the companions in the Battle of Yamama, a victorious war against the self-proclaimed prophet Musaylimah ibn Habib which were one of the battles of the Ridda wars launched by Caliph Abu Bakr after the death of Muhammad.
However, he reportedly disappeared during the battle and none of the companions could find his whereabouts ever again.[5] Soon after he disappeared, his wife and all the ten children mysteriously died.