Black Thursday: The Beginning of Deviation in the Islamic Nation
In the year 11 AH, an event known as “Black Thursday” altered the course of the Islamic nation. This incident, documented in authentic Sunni sources like Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, is considered a turning point in Islamic history.
On the 24th of Safar, 11 AH, the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him and his pure family) was on his deathbed and requested a pen and paper to write down his will, aiming to set the correct path for his nation. In the presence of a group of his companions, he said: “Bring me a pen and paper so I may write for you a document after which you will never go astray.”
At this point, Umar ibn al-Khattab interjected, saying bluntly: “The man [the Prophet] is delirious; the Book of God is sufficient for us.” This disrespectful statement caused a commotion and disagreement among those present. While some companions wanted to fulfill the Prophet’s request, others sided with Umar. Deeply saddened, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his pure family) ultimately told them: “Leave me,” and the opportunity for a written will was lost.
Ibn Abbas, who witnessed the scene, would later weep and say: “The greatest calamity was what came between the Messenger of God and the writing of that document.” This historical event, also known as “Raziyat Yawm al-Khamis,” has been a subject of debate among Hadith scholars and commentators. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his pure family) intended to leave a clear guide for his nation, but Umar’s opposition deprived them of this blessing.
This decision and the failure to record the Prophet’s will set the stage for disagreements that arose after his martyrdom. Following his martyrdom, the Saqifa event took place, where a group of companions chose a caliph without full consultation with other companions and the Prophet’s family (peace be upon them). This initial deviation from a unified decision-making process largely disregarded the rights and central role of the Prophet’s family (Ahl al-Bayt).
Black Thursday and Saqifa are considered examples of short-sighted decisions and a departure from divine guidance that changed the course of Islamic history, with consequences that were felt for centuries and ultimately led to events such as the seclusion of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), the peace treaty of Imam Hassan (peace be upon him), and the tragic events of Ashura.
