The number is most likely a reference to a hadith number within a specific computerized or print edition of the Musannaf . This edition is likely the famous one edited by Habib al-Rahman al-A'zami, with his work completed and the takhrij (source documentation) provided by the great contemporary hadith scholar Muhammad 'Awwamah. This edition is widely available and is often organized by hadith numbers for easier digital referencing.
The full text is preserved as follows:
A highly respected, trustworthy ( Thiqah ) Kufan scholar known for his strict memorization.
A Persian origin companion who served as a freed slave of the Prophet Muhammad. He was highly regarded for his strict adherence to the Prophet's legacy and his eyewitness perspective of early political shifts. musannaf ibn abi shaybah 37157
This aligns seamlessly with the prophetic paradigm where the true, consensus-based Caliphate was predicted to last approximately 30 years following the death of the Prophet, encompassing the leadership of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. The transition to Mu'awiyah established hereditary, dynastic administration, which early scholars classified as the birth of temporal kingship in the Muslim world. Caliphate ( Khilafah ) Kingship ( Mulk ) Shura (Consultation/Consensus) Dynastic/Hereditary Succession Authority Strictly bound by Prophetic precedent Driven by political expediency and power Characterization Spiritual and temporal guidance Temporal governance, often strict or harsh The Place of this Narration within the Musannaf
In early Islamic discourse, a clear distinction was drawn between two governance models:
Report #37157 isn't just a historical footnote; it’s a reminder of the early community’s critical eye toward power and governance. It highlights the high standard to which the early Muslims held their leaders, distinguishing between the spiritual-political ideal of a "Caliph" and the administrative reality of a "King." The number is most likely a reference to
Ever heard of ? It’s one of the most massive, early Sunni hadith collections — a treasure trove of over 37,000 narrations covering not just law, but daily life, customs, and even the quirky details of 1st/2nd century Islamic society.
Comprehensive Guide to Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith 37157
If you would like to explore this topic further, please let me know. We can analyze the in the chain, compare this text to other variants in Sunan Al-Tirmidhi , or look into how different theological schools interpret early Umayyad political history. Share public link The full text is preserved as follows: A
The true genius and distinctive characteristic of this work lie in its inclusive methodology. Ibn Abi Shaybah's goal was to compile all reports relevant to a given legal or historical question, creating a comprehensive repository for jurists, historians, and scholars. He meticulously gathered narrative texts ( nusus ) across the book's chapters. In his pursuit of comprehensiveness, he included not only the Prophet Muhammad's sayings and actions (often called "Marfu'") but also:
Narration 37157 resides within the historical and trial chapters ( Kitab al-Ta'rikh or Kitab al-Fitan ), where the compilation explores the structural shifts of the state, the civil wars (such as the Battles of Camel and Siffin), and the psychological impact these transformations had on the surviving Companions. By documenting this dialogue, the text preserves the raw, diverse theological and political discourse that shaped classical Islamic governance. If you want to dive deeper into this subject, let me know:
Safinah’s use of the phrase "Kadhaba Banu al-Zarqa'" ("The children of the blue-eyed woman have lied") is a harsh, classical Arabic idiomatic insult directed toward the ancestry of Marwan ibn al-Hakam or the wider Umayyad leadership elite. In ancient Arab culture, "blue eyes" (when associated with enemies or outsiders) carried negative or deceptive connotations, often used to denote an external or non-indigenous trait of trickery, stemming back to pre-Islamic tribal rivalries. 3. Caliphate of Prophecy vs. Kingship
His magnum opus, formally titled Al-Kitab al-Musannaf fi al-Ahadith wa al-Athar (The Classified Book of Prophetic Traditions and Reports of the Companions), is a testament to his comprehensive methodology. It is the second largest Hadith compilation ever written and is widely regarded as the largest surviving one of its kind.
Jabir ibn `Abd Allah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: