** Fwd’ing **
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
A brief biography of selected Sahaba and scholars.
Taken from the book of Tafsir by Ibn Kathir
Abdullah Ibn Abbas : (died 68AH / 687AD)
One of the most eminent scholars of the Qur’aan amongst the Sahaba. He was known as “The Commentator of the Qur’aan”. He also narrated many Ahadith and was also a scholar of fiqh.
Abdullah Ibn Masud : (died 32AH / 652AD)
One of the most knowledgeable amongst the Sahaba. He narrated many Ahadith and was an authority on the Qur’aan.
Abdullah Ibn Umar : (died 74AH / 693AD)
The son of Umar, the second Khalifa and an eminent scholar. He narrated many Ahadith and was well known for his srict adhearence to the Sunnah.
Abu Bakr Siddiq : (died 12AH / 634AD)
The closest of the Sahaba to the Prophet (SAW). He was the male to accept Islam and he was also the first Khalifa. His service and dedication to the Prophet (SAW) is unparalleled.
Abu Hanifa, Nu’maan ibn Thabit : (died 150AH / 767AD)
The founder of first of the four most recognised schools of fiqh: The Hanafi school. From the four Imams, h is the only one to rank as a Tabi’ee. He earned the title of Al-Imamul Azam (The great Imam)
Ahmad ibn Hanbal : (died 241AH / 855AD)
The founder of the fourth of the four schools of fiqh: The Hanbali school. He was an authority on Hadith and the teacher of Imam Bukhari. He was also a fierce opponent of the Mu’tazalites for which he was persecuted.
Ali ibn Abi Talib : (died 40AH / 658AD)
The fourth Khalifa, the cousin of the Prophet (SAW) and the first boy to accept Islam. He married the youngest daughter of the Prophet (SAW) and was renowned for his courage and knowledge.
Anas ibn Malik : (died 93AH / 712AD)
A Sahaba who served the Prophet (SAW) as a young boy for ten years. He narrated many Ahadith.
**Al-Bukhari, Muhammad ibn Ismail : (died 256AH / 870AD) **
The compiler on the most authentic book of Hadith: Sahih Al-Bukhari. His devotion and travels for the sake of Hadith were proverbial. The whole muslim ummah accepts his service and holds him as the authority of Hadith.
**Ibn Majah, Muhammad ibn Rabi’ : (died 273AH / 883AD) **
A formost scholar of Hadith. His work Sunan Ibn Majah is ranked among the six most authentic book of Hadith.
Malik ibn Anas : (died 273AH / 883AD)
The founder of the second most recognised schools of fiqh: The Maliki school. He was one of the earliest authorities on Hadith and his work “Al-Muwatta” is one of the earliest and most authentic on the subject. He was also one of Imam Shafie’s teachers.
Muslim ibn Hajjaj Nisaapuri : (died 259AH / 868AD)
A prominent scholar and authority on Hadith (ranked only after Imam Bukhari). His Sahih known as ‘Sahih Muslim’ on Hadith is one of the greatest compilations of Hadith.
Qatadah ibn Du’amah : (died 118AH / 736AD)
An extraordinary narrator of Hadith from among the prominent scholars of Basra, Iraq.
**Sa’eed ibn Musayyib : (died 94AH / 712AD) **
One of the greatest scholars of Tabi’een, and received the title “The leader of the Successors”
**As-Shafi, Muhammad ibn Idris : (died 204AH / 819AD) **
The founder of the third most recognised schools of fiqh: The Maliki school. He was an authority on Hadith and the Arabic language. His works on fiqh include “Ar-Risalah” and “Kitabul Umm”, both of which are seen as legendary works.
Sufyaan ibn Uyainah : (died 198AH / 814AD)
A scholar from Kufa, Iraq and a prominnt authority on Hadith. His work on Hadith entitled “Al-Jami” is one of the earliest. He also wrote a book on Tafsir.
Tabari, Muhammad ibn Jarir : (died 310AH / 923AD)**
A prominent historian, jurist and comentator of the Qur’aan. His Tafsir “Jameelul Bayan” is based on authentic traditions of the Sahaba and the successors.
**Tirmidhi, Muhammad ibn Isa : (died 279AH / 887AD) **
A great scholar of Hadith and one of Imam Bukhari’s prolific students. His work on Hadith entitled “Jami” is one of the six most authentic book on Hadith.
**Umar ibn Al-Khattab : (died 644AD) **
The second Khalifa, a great scholar who had profound if nor prophetic insight into revelation and who encouraged Abu Bakr to compile the Qur’aan into a single book. Islam spread throughout Asia Minor and North Africa during his Khilafa.
Uthman ibn Affaan : (died 36AH / 656AD)
The third Khalifa, a very early convert to Islam and a person who assisted the cause of Allah with his immense generosity. He married two of the Prophet daughters. Islam spread throughout the globe in his Khilafa before he was brutally assasinated by renegades. He also standardised the dialect of the text of the Qur’aan which is still in use today.