Teachers of Imam al Baqir

Narrations of Imam al Baqir in other Books of Hadith
December 7, 2020
Students of Imam al Baqir
December 7, 2020

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Teachers of Imam al Baqir

The profundity of Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah in the sciences of knowledge was firstly on account of his perceptiveness, thirst for knowledge, and superior mental faculties; and then his acquiring of knowledge from the Sahabah of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam as well as senior Tabi’in. It is well known that a prosperous crop requires two things: fertile land suitable for the seed and a trained farmer equipped with the skills needed for farming. In this manner, Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala favoured Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah with unique capabilities of comprehension and the best of teachers after the Prophets ‘alayh al Salam: those who he met from the Sahabah of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and the senior Tabi’in. We will now mention some of the teachers of Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah which will make it apparent that the prowess he gained in the sciences was not a stroke of fortune or chance, but the result of strenuous effort made by both the student and his teachers.

 

  1. Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn Haram al Ansari al Khazraji al Sulami (d. after 70 A.H)

The esteemed Sahabi, faqih, pious, mujahid radiya Llahu ‘anhu. He participated in all the expeditions alongside the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam except Badr and Uhud. His father was one of the chiefs who participated in Badr and was martyred in Uhud radiya Llahu ‘anhuma. Sufficient for him is the testimony of excellence made by the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam for him and the Companions of Hudaybiyyah radiya Llahu ‘anhum. ‘Amr narrates:

I heard Jabir say, “We were 1400 on the Day of Hudaybiyyah and the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said to us, ‘Today you all are the best inhabitants of the earth.’”[1]

 

He was the last of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum in Madinah to pass away. Many esteemed scholars and pioneers of this Ummah studied under him such as: Hassan al Basri rahimahu Llah, Sa’id ibn al Musayyab rahimahu Llah, Tawus ibn Kaysan rahimahu Llah, ‘Urwah ibn Zubair rahimahu Llah, ‘Ata’ ibn Abi Rabah rahimahu Llah, as well as many others. Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah narrates majority of his narrations from him.

 

  1. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib al Qurashi al Hashimi (d. 68 A.H)

Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah also narrates profusely from Ibn ‘Abbas radiya Llahu ‘anhu. He is known as Hibr al Ummah (Most knowledgeable of the Ummah) and Tarjuman al Qur’an (commentator of the Qur’an). He is the cousin of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. He was called “Doctor” and “Ocean” on account of his vast knowledge. On two occasions the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam supplicated for him to be blessed with wisdom. He was 15 years old when the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam passed away, according to the preferred opinion of Imam Ahmed ibn Hambal. His merits and virtues are well-known, and he was extensively praised by the Sahabah and Tabi’in radiya Llahu ‘anhum.

    • Ibn Mas’ud radiya Llahu ‘anhu said, “Had Ibn ‘Abbas been the same age as us then none would have equalled him.”
    • Ibn Abi Khaythamah reported with his chain that Ibn ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu would say, “Ibn ‘Abbas is the most knowledgeable of the Ummah of Muhammad in what was revealed upon Muhammad salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.”
    • Ibn Sa’d reported with an authentic chain that Abu Hurairah radiya Llahu ‘anhu said on the day Zaid ibn Thabit radiya Llahu ‘anhu passed away, “Today the most learned of the Ummah has passed on, perhaps Allah will make Ibn ‘Abbas his replacement.”
    • Umm al Mu’minin Aisha radiya Llahu ‘anha said, “He is the most knowledgeable of people regrading [the laws of] Hajj.”
    • ‘Urwah ibn Zubair rahimahu Llah, “I have never seen the likes of Ibn ‘Abbas ever.”
    • Yazid ibn al Asam said, “Muawiyah left to perform Hajj and Ibn ‘Abbas also left for Hajj. A caravan accompanied Muawiyah and a caravan of those seeking knowledge accompanied Ibn ‘Abbas.”
    • It has been reported that Ibn ‘Umar said, “‘Umar would summon Ibn ‘Abbas and bring him closer to him. He would then say, “I saw the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam call you one day; he patted your head, and placed his saliva in your mouth. After which he said, “O Allah, give him understanding of Din and teach him the interpretation [of Qur’an].”[2]

 

  1. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar ibn al Khattab al Qurashi al ‘Adawi (73/74 A.H)

The eminent faqih, pious, Sahabi of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. He is the brother of Umm al Mu’minin Hafsah radiya Llahu ‘anha and the son of Amir al Mu’minin ‘Umar ibn al Khattab radiya Llahu ‘anhu. He is amongst those Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum who have narrated many ahadith from the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. He embraced Islam with his father before he reached puberty. He was not allowed to participate in the Battle of Uhud due to his young age, but participated in the Battle of Khandaq and all the expeditions thereafter alongside the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. He himself narrates:

I was presented before the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam the Day of Uhud when I was 14 years of age and he did not permit me to participate. During the Battle of Khandaq I was again presented, and I was 15 years old then, and I was permitted to participate.[3]

 

The Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam praised him saying:

Verily ‘Abdullah is a pious man.[4]

 

Many of the Sahabah and Tabi’in praised him as well:

    • ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud said, “‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar is from those youngsters of the Quraysh who has the most self-restraint.”
    • Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah said, “There is none amongst us who gained material possessions and were inclined towards it or it inclined to him, except ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar.”[5]

 

Many of the Tabi’in who lived during his lifetime also praised him:

    • Sa’id ibn Musayyab said, “The day Ibn ‘Umar passed away there was none with whose deeds I would have liked to meet Allah with than his.”
    • Al Zuhri said, “We would not equate anyone’s opinion with that of Ibn ‘Umar.”[6]

Many esteemed scholars and pioneers of this Ummah studied under him such as: Nafi’—his freed slave, Hassan al Basri, Salim ibn ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar, Sa’id ibn Jubayr, Sa’id ibn al Musayyab, Tawus ibn Kaysan, ‘Ata’ ibn Abi Rabah, and many others. [7] Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah too met him and narrated from him.

 

  1. Anas ibn Malik ibn al Nadr al Ansari al Najari (d. 92/93 A.H)

Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah met him and transmitted Hadith from him. He is the Sahabi of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and his special attendant. His mother is Umm Sulaim bint Milhan radiya Llahu ‘anha. Anas ibn Malik radiya Llahu ‘anhu attended to the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam for ten years, the entire duration of his stay in Madinah. Anas radiya Llahu ‘anhu relates his meeting with the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and coming into his service:

The Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam entered Madinah and I was a boy of 8; my mother took me to him and said, “O Messenger of Allah, the men of the Ansar have all given you gifts besides me, and I could not find anything to gift to you aside from my son. Accept him, he will assist you as you deem fit.”

So, I attended to the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam for ten years; he never struck me, never scolded me, nor glowered at me.

 

Anas radiya Llahu ‘anhu relates another incident:

Umm Sulaim brought me to the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and I was a young boy. She said, “O Messenger of Allah, Unays[8], supplicate for him.” So, the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “O Allah, increase his wealth and progeny, and enter him into Jannat.” I saw two of these materialise and I hope for the third.”

 

Many virtues have been transmitted about him, may Allah be pleased with him.[9]

 

  1. Sa’d ibn Malik ibn Sinan al Ansari Abu Sa’id al Khudri (d. 63/64/65/74 A.H)

Esteemed Sahabi of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. He was too young to participate in the Battle of Uhud [under fifteen at the time]; however, his father was martyred in the same Battle. He participated in all the expeditions thereafter alongside the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, 12 expeditions in total. Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah has transmitted Hadith from him. Abu ‘Amr ibn ‘Abdul Barr stated:

The first encounter he participated in was Khandaq and he accompanied the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in 12 expeditions. He preserved from the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam a significant portion of his Sunnah and a treasure of knowledge. He was from the select of the Sahabah, their ‘Ulama’, and notables.[10]

 

  1. ‘Abdullah ibn Jafar ibn Abi Talib al Qurashi al Hashimi (80 A.H)

One of the teachers of Imam al Baqir rahimahu Llah. He was a Sahabi of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and son of the Martyr of Mu’tah, Dhu al Janahayn (Possessor of two wings) Jafar ibn Abi Talib radiya Llahu ‘anhu. ‘Abdullah ibn Jafar was titled Qutb al Sakha’ (Leader of the Generous) on account of his magnanimity and open-handedness. He was noble, descended from nobility, benevolent, and one who rushed towards carrying out good. He was born in Abyssinia, the place of the first emigration. It was about him that ‘Abdullah ibn Qais recited the following couplets:

 

تقدتبي الشهباء نحو ابن جعفر سواء عليها ليلها و نهارها

تزور امرأً قد يعلم الله أنه تجود له كفٌّ قليل غرارها

فوالله لولا أَنْ تزورَ ابن جعفر لكان قليلًا في دمشق قرارها

أتيتك أُثني بالذي أنتأهله عليك كما أَثنى على الروض جارها

ذكرتك إذ فاض الفرات بأرضنا وجلَّل أعلى الرقتين بحارها

فإن مِتّلم يوصلْ صديقٌ و لم تقم طريقٌ من المعروف أنت منار

The white camel set off with me in the morning toward the son of Jafar, (it travelled continuously) as though the night and the day was the same for it.

It was going to visit a man about whom Allah knew that his hand spent generously, and that very few hands matched it.

By Allah, if it did not visit Ibn Jafar, its stay in Damascus would be very short.

I came to you to heap praises upon you which you deserve, just as the neighbours of orchards praise the orchards.

I remembered you when the Euphrates river in our lands was over-flowed and its waters covered the upper of the two Raqqahs (a place in Iraq).

If you die no relationship with a friend will ever be fostered and no path of goodness, of which you are the lamp post, will ever be straight.[11]

 

It is impossible to encompass all the people who have praised him. Muawiyah radiya Llahu ‘anhu said about him:

A man from the Banu Hashim is ‘Abdullah ibn Jafar. He is worthy of all nobility. By Allah, anyone who tried to surpass him in nobility failed.[12]

 

  1. Umm al Mu’minin Umm Salamah Hind bint Abi Umayyah al Qurashiyyah al Hashimiyyah (62 A.H)

Her name is Hind and she was among the Ummahat al Mu’minin (Mothers of the Believers, i.e. the honourable consorts of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Abu ‘Amr stated that her name was Ramlah, but that is not correct. The name of her father was Hudhayfah, some have said Suhayl, and he was titled Zad al Rakab (Provision for the Rider) on account of his generosity. When he would travel, he would ensure that all who accompanied him were provided with sufficient provisions. Her mother was ‘Atikah bint ‘Amir ibn Rabi’ah ibn Malik al Kinaniyah from the Banu Firas. She married the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in Jamad al Akhirah 4 A.H, and it has been said 3 A.H. She is among the early forerunners to Islam, along with her husband. They both migrated to Abyssinia where Salamah was born. They then all returned to Makkah and emigrated to Madinah. It has been said that she is the first woman to travel with a howdah on her camel. After emigrating to Madinah, her husband was martyred in one of the battles, after which the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam proposed to her.[13]

 

  1. Sa’id ibn al Musayyab al Qurashi al Makhzumi (Senior Tabi’i) (d. after 90 A.H)
  • Qatadah said, “I have not seen any person more knowledgeable regarding the Halal and Haram than Sa’id ibn al Musayyab.”
  • Makhul said, “I have traversed the earth in pursuit of knowledge and I have not met anyone more knowledgeable than Ibn al Musayyab.”
  • Al Awza’i said, “Al Zuhri and Makhul were asked who is the most knowledgeable person they have met and they both replied, ‘Sa’id ibn al Musayyab.’”
  • Sulaiman ibn Musa said, “Sa’id ibn Musayyab was the most proficient in Jurisprudence from the Tabi’in.”
  • Ibrahim ibn Sa’d narrated — from his father — from Sa’id ibn Musayyab, “There is none left who possesses greater knowledge about all the rulings of the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, all the rulings of Abu Bakr, all the rulings of ‘Umar—Ibrahim said, ‘And I think my father also said,’—and all the rulings of ‘Uthman, than me.”
  • Imam Malik narrated — from Yahya ibn Sa’id — from Sa’id ibn Musayyab, “If necessary, I will travel for a number of days and nights in seeking a single hadith.”
  • Yahya ibn Sa’id said, “Sa’id ibn al Musayyab would never issue any ruling or say anything without first saying, ‘O Allah protect me and protect others from me.’”[14]
  • Ibn Hajar said about him, “One of the reliable ‘Ulama’, Fuqaha’, and seniors. There is consensus that his Mursal narrations are the most authentic of the Mursal reports.”
  • Al Dhahabi said about him, “An Imam, one of the pioneers and leader of the Tabi’in. He is Thiqah (reliable), a proof, and Faqih. He is well praised, a leader in knowledge and practice.”[15]

 

  1. Muhammad ibn ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (Ibn al Hanafiyyah) al Qurashi al Hashimi (d. after 80 A.H)
  • Ibrahim ibn ‘Abdullah ibn al Junayd said, “I do not know anyone with a better chain in his narrations from ‘Ali from the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, greater in number and more authentic, than the chain of Muhammad ibn al Hanafiyyah.”[16]
  • Ibn Hibban said, “He was from the most superior of his Ahlul Bayt.”[17]

 

  1. ‘Ali ibn Hussain (Zayn al ‘Abidin) ibn ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib al Qurashi al Hashimi (95 A.H)

I have already discussed the biography of this illustrious Imam rahimahu Llah previously; however, I wish to make mention of a few of his students: Zaid, ‘Umar, ‘Abdullah, Muhammad (al Baqir) radiya Llahu ‘anhum—who are all his sons—Abu al Zinad ‘Abdullah ibn Dhakwan, ‘Amr ibn Dinar, Muhammad ibn Muslim al Zuhri, and others.

 

  1. Ibrahim ibn Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas al Qurashi al Zuhri al Madani (d. 100 A.H)
  • Muhammad ibn Sa’d said, “He was Thiqah (reliable), narrated many ahadith.”[18]
  • Al ‘Ijli said, “A Tabi’i, Thiqah (reliable).”
  • Ya’qub ibn Shaybah said, “Among the narrators from the second category, among the Fuqaha’ of Madinah after the Sahabah.”
  • Ibn Hibban included him in his Al Thiqat[19].

 

  1. Yazid ibn Hurmuz al Madani Abu ‘Abdullah Mawla Bani Layth (d. 100 A.H)
  • ‘Abbas al Duri narrates — from Yahya ibn Ma’in, “Thiqah (reliable).”
  • Ibn Hibban included him in his Al Thiqat[20].
  • Al ‘Ijli said, “A Madani, Tabi’i, Thiqah (reliable).”[21]

 

  1. Yazid Abu Murrah al Hijazi al Madani Mawla ‘Aqil ibn Abi Talib
  • Ibn Sa’d said, “He was Thiqah (reliable), narrated very little ahadith.”
  • Al ‘Ijli said, “A Madani, Tabi’i, Thiqah (reliable).”
  • Ibn Hibban included him in his Al Thiqat[22].

 

  1. ‘Ubaidullah ibn Abi Rafi’, son of Aslam—the mawla of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam
  • Abu Hatim and Abu Bakr al Khatib said, “Thiqah (reliable).”
  • Ibn Hibban included him in his Al Thiqat[23].
  • Ibn Sa’d said, “He was Thiqah (reliable), narrated many ahadith.”[24]

 

Among his students are: Jafar (al Sadiq) ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Ali, Hassan ibn Muhammad ibn al Hanafiyyah, Zaid ibn ‘Ali ibn Hussain, Muawiyah ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Jafar ibn Abi Talib.

 

  1. ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar al Hilali (d. 94 A.H)
  • Yahya ibn Ma’in, Abu Zur’ah, and al Nasa’i said, “Thiqah (reliable).”
  • Imam Malik said, “‘Ata’ ibn Yasar — from ‘Abdullah al Sunabihi, he was Thiqah (reliable) and narrated many ahadIth.”[25]
  • Ibn Hibban included him in his Al Thiqat[26].

 

  1. Harmalah, Mawla Usamah ibn Zaid ibn Harithah al Kalbi al Madani
  • Ibn Hajar said, “Harmalah, Mawla Usamah ibn Zaid, he narrated from him (Usamah ibn Zaid), ‘Ali, and Ibn ‘Umar. He remained constantly in the company of Zaid ibn Thabit until he passed away such that it used to be said that he is also the freed slave of Zaid ibn Thabit. Abu Jafar al Baqir and al Zuhri narrated from him.”[27]

 

  1. ‘Abdullah ibn Khabbab al Ansari, Mawla Bani ‘Adi ibn al Najjar
  • Abu Hatim and al Nasa’i said, “Thiqah (reliable).”
  • Ibn Hibban included him in his al Thiqat.[28]
  • Ibn ‘Adi said, “The scholars amongst the people narrated from him, he is Saduq (truthful), there is no problem with him.”
  • Al Bukhari said, “Ishaq ibn Yasar narrated from him, and Muhammad ibn Ishaq heard from him during the Khilafah of ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul Aziz.[29]

 

 

  1. Nu’aym ibn ‘Abdullah al Mujmir Abu ‘Abdullah al Madani, Mawla Al ‘Umar ibn al Khattab
  • Yahya ibn Ma’in, Abu Hatim, Muhammad ibn Sa’d, and al Nasa’i said, “Thiqah (reliable).”
  • Ibn Hibban included him in his al Thiqat.[30]

 

NEXT⇒ Students of Imam al Baqir


[1] Sahih Muslim, # 3453.

[2] Tahdhib al Tahdhib, 5/244.

[3] Sunan Ibn Majah, # 2533.

[4] Sahih al Bukhari, # 3458.

[5] Tahdhib al Kamal, 15/339.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] It is the diminutive of Anas, used to convey affection.

[9] Tahdhib al Kamal, 3/353.

[10] Tahdhib al Kamal, 10/295.

[11] Tahdhib al Kamal, 14/367.

[12] Tahdhib al Tahdhib, 5/150.

[13] Al Isabah fi Tamyiz al Sahabah, 8/342.

[14] Tahdhib al Kamal, 11/66.

[15] Taqrib al Tahdhib, 1/364.

[16] Tahdhib al Kamal, 26/147.

[17] Tahdhib al Tahdhib, 9/316.

[18] Tahdhib al Kamal, 2/94.

[19] Tahdhib al Tahdhib, 1/107.

[20] Tahdhib al Kamal, 32/270.

[21] Tahdhib al Tahdhib, 11/323.

[22] Tahdhib al Tahdhib, 11/328.

[23] Tahdhib al Kamal, 19/34.

[24] Tahdhib al Tahdhib, 7/10.

[25] Tahdhib al Kamal, 20/125.

[26] Tahdhib al Tahdhib, 7/194.

[27] Tahdhib al Tahdhib, 2/203.

[28] Tahdhib al Kamal, 14/449.

[29] Tahdhib al Tahdhib, 5/172.

[30] Tahdhib al Kamal, 29/488.