IBNE SA’AD’S “AL-TABAQAT” ITS METHODOLOGY AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The book of Ibne Sa’ad named “Al-Tabaqat” is a scholastic treasury which consists of eight volumes. The first two volumes are specified for Seera of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The rest of the six volumes consists of the scholastic, political, Military and religious activities of the companions of the Prophets and their disciples which covers the first two Islamic centuries. “Al-Tabaqat” has been considered one of the ancient and very valuable sources of Seera. Ibne Sa’ad was the disciple of Al-Waqidi. Therefore his biggest source of knowledge is Al-Waqidi’s book “Al-Maghazi”, Specially the Madani Era of the life of the Holy Prophet is dependent upon the said book. Apart from it, this book reflects the complete sociological picture of the initial Islamic age with full details i.e. the first two Islamic centuries.