This is a very nice piece we are currently studying in class, actually we’re supposed to have gone through it on our own and come to class ready with our sharh!
The poem lists the main muhadditheen and figures in ‘ilm al-Rijaal (the praiseworthy and the not-so). It’s by Abu Tahir al-Silafi and Imam al-Dhahabi mentions it in his book Siyar A’laam al-Nubalaa.
Now, let’s see how many of you can pick out the names of each scholar mentioned and if possible a small piece of info (who he is and his place/date of birth) – you won’t be doing my homework, I promise! 😀
عن أبي طاهر السِلفي أنه أنشد لنفسه
دعوني عن أسانيد الضلال *** وهاتوا من أسانيد عوالي
رخاص عند أهل الجهل طرًّا *** وعند العارفين بها غوالي
عن أشياخ الحديث وما رواه *** إمام في العلوم على الكمال
كمالك أو كمعمر المزكى *** وشعبة أو كسفيان الهلالي وسفيان العراق وليث مصر *** فقدما كان معدوم المثالي
والأوزاعي فهو له بشرع الـ *** ـنبي المصطفى أوفى اتصال
ومسعر الذي في كل علم *** يشار كذا إليه كالهلال
وزائدة وزد أيضا جريرا *** فكل منهما رجل النضال
وكابن مبارك أو كابن وهب *** وكالقطان ذي شرف وحال
وحماد وحماد جميعا *** وكابن الدستوائي الجمال
وبعدهم وكيع وابن مهدي *** المهدي في كل الخلال
ومكي ووهب والحميدي *** عبدالله ليث ذي صيال
وضحاك عقيب يزيد أعني *** ابن هارون المحقق في الخصال
كذاك طيالسيا البصرة اذكر *** فما روياه من أثر لآلي
وعفان نعم وأبونعيم *** حميدا الحال مرضيا الفعال
ويحيى شيخ نيسابور ثم الـ *** ـإمام الشافعي المقتدى لي
كذاكم ابن خالد المكنى *** أبا ثور وكان حوى المعالي
وأيضا فالصدوق أبو عبيد *** فأعلام من أرباب المقال
كيحيى وابن حنبل المعلى *** بمعرفة المتون وبالرجال
وإسحاق التقي وفتى نجيح *** وعبدالله ذي مدح طوال
وعثمان الرضي أخيه أيضا *** وكالطوسي ركن الابتهال
وكالنسوي أعنيه زهيرا *** ويعرف بابن حرب في المجال
وكالذهلي شمس الشرق عدل *** يعدله المعادي والموالي
وأصحاب الصحاح الخمسة اعلم *** رجال في الشريعة كالجبال
وكابن شجاع البلخي ثم الـ *** ـسمرقندي من هو رأس مالي
وبوبوسجيهم ثم ابن نصر *** بمرو مقدم فيهم ثمال
وبالري ابن وارة ذو افتنان *** وترباه كذاك على التوالي
كذاك ابن الفرات وكان سيفا *** على البدعي يطعن كالألال
كذا الحربي أحربه وحرب *** ابن إسماعيل خير ذو منال
ويعقوب ويعقوبان أيضا *** سواه وابن سنجر الثمال
وصالح الرضي وأخوه منهم *** كذاك الدارمي أخو المعالي
وصالح الملقب وابن عمرو *** دمشقي حليم ذو احتمال
ونجل جرير إذ توفي وتربي *** مناقبه على عد الرمال
كذا ابن خزيمة السلمي ثم إبـ *** ـن مندة مقتدى مدن الجبال
وخلق تقصر الأوصاف عنهم *** وعن أحوالهم حال السؤال
سموا بالعلم حين سما سواهم *** لدى الجهال بالرمم البوالي
ومع هذا المحل وما حووه *** فآلهم كذلك خير آل
مضوا والذكر من كل جميل *** على المعهود في الحقب الخوالي
أطاب الله مثواهم فقدما *** تعنوا في طلابهم العوالي
وبعد حصولها لم تصدوا *** كذلك للرواية والأمالي
وتلفي الكل منهم حين يلقى *** من آثار العبادة كالخلال
وها أنا شارع في شرح ديني *** ووصف عقيدتي وخفي حالي
وأجهد في البيان بقدر وسعي *** وتخليص العقول من العقال
بشعر لا كشعر بل كسحر *** ولفظ كالشمول بل الشمال
فلست الدهر إمعة وما إن *** أزل ولا أزول لذي النزال
فلا تصحب سوى السني دينا *** لتحمد ما نصحتك في المآل
وجانب كل مبتدع تراه *** فما إن عندهم غير المحال
ودع آراء أهل الزيغ رأسا *** ولا تغررك حذلقة الرذال
فليس يدوم للبدعي رأي *** ومن أين المقر لذي ارتحال
يوافي حائرا في كل حال *** وقد خلى طريق الاعتدال
ويترك دائبا رأيا لرأي *** ومنه كذا سريع الانتقال
وعمدة ما يدين به سفاها *** فأحداث من أبواب الجدال
وقول أئمة الزيغ الذي لا *** يشابهه سوى الداء العضال
كمعبد المضلل في هواه *** وواصل أو كغيلان المحال
وجعد ثم جهم وابن حرب *** حمير يستحقون المخالي
وثور كاسمه أو شئت فاقلب *** وحفص الفرد قرد ذي افتعال
وبشر لا أرى بشرى فمنه *** تولد كل شر واختلال
وأتباع ابن كلاب كلاب *** على التحقيق هم من شر آل
كذاك أبوالهذيل وكان مولى *** لعبد القيس قد شان الموالي
ولا تنس ابن أشرس المكنى *** أبا معن ثمامة فهو غالي
ولا ابن الحارث البصري ذاك الـ *** ـمضل على اجتهاد واحتفال
ولا الكوفي أعنيه ضرار بـ *** ـن عمرو فهو للبصري تالي
كذاك ابن الأصم ومن قفاه *** ومن أوباش البهاشمة النغال
وعمرو هكذا أعني ابن بحر *** وغيرهم من أصحاب الشمال
فرأي أولاء ليس يفيد شيئا *** سوى الهذيان من قيل وقال
وكل هوى ومحدثة ضلال *** ضعيف في الحقيقة كالخيال
فهذا ما أدين به إلهي *** تعالى عن شبيه أو مثال
وما نافاه من خدع وزور *** ومن بدع فلم يخطر ببالي
I’ll start off…
In the 4th bayt (verse) it says:
كمالك أو كمعمر المزكى *** وشعبة أو كسفيان الهلالي
This is in reference to:
– Malik ibn Anas (rh) d. 179 AH, the famous Imam and founder of the Maliki school of thought
– Ma’mar ibn Raashid al-Azdi (rh) d. 154 AH
– Shu’bah ibn al-Hajjaj (rh) d. 160 AH
– Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah al-Hilali (rh) originally from Kufa, moved to Makkah d. 198 AH
Assalaamu Alaikum,
Maa shaa’ Allaah…where are you studying this?
I’m not very good at ‘ilm ar-Rijaal…but I’ll give it a shot…
Bayt 5:
وسفيان العراق وليث مصر *** فقدما كان معدوم المثالي
Refers to:
– Sufyaan ibn Sa’eed ibn Masrooq (rahimahullaah), more famously known as Sufyaan ath-thawree d. 161 AH
– al-Layth ibn Sa’d al-Misree (rahimahullaah) d. 175 AH
Wallaahu a’lam. Is that correct?
Wassalaamu Alaikum
p.s. This part gave me a chuckle:
وثور كاسمه أو شئت فاقلب
I noticed ibn Mubarak in 9th verse and Wakee’ in 11th verse – two teachers of imam Shafiee’.
Abdullaah ibn Mubarak – (d. 181/797) – student of imam Abu Hanifa, imam Malik and Sufyan at-Thawri, rahimullaah alayhum
Abu Sufyan Wakee’ b. al Jarrah – (d. 197/812) – teacher of imam shafee’ rahimullaah.
Wa `alaykumusalaam wa rahmatullah
Mashaa’Allah sisters, that’s great 🙂 spot on!
.
I laughed too… it does mean what I think it means, right? Ya’ni rawth…?
Regarding Wakee’ (rh), I always wondered was he the teacher of Imam al-Shafi’i or his contemporary/companion?
Bayt 6
والأوزاعي فهو له بشرع الـ *** ـنبي المصطفى أوفى اتصال
This is in reference to Imam Abu ‘Amr ‘Abdul-Rahman ibn ‘Amr al-Awzaa’ee d. 157 AH. He was the Imam and faqeeh of al-Shaam, who was the founder of the Awzaa’ee madh-hab which was then widespread in Greater Syria. The madh-had eventually died out and was replaced with the Shafi’i school of thought.
Ps. Thikraa ukhti, we’re studying this in a small saturday class I recently joined
Assalaamu Alaikum
Yes, it means what you said it does, wallaahu a’lam.
As for Wakee’ (rahimahullaah) here is a post that talks about references to him teaching ash-Shaafi’ee (rahimahullaah):
http://www.ahlalhdeeth.cc/vb/showthread.php?t=97509#6
Bayt 7:
ومسعر الذي في كل علم *** يشار كذا إليه كالهلال
Mis’ar ibn Kidaam bin Thuhayr ibn Ubayd ibn al-Haarith (d. 155 AH).
He was in Kufah, Iraaq. In Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa’ ath-Thahabee mentions that Shu’bah ibn al-Hajjaaj said about Mis’ar: “We used to call Mis’ar: the Mushaf” – in reference to his itqaan (accuracy/precision).
Wallaahu A’lam.
Wa `alaykumusalaam wa rahmatullah
Jazakillahu khayran for the link, clarified that confusion!
Bayt 8:
وزائدة وزد أيضا جريرا *** فكل منهما رجل النضال
– Zaa’ida ibn Qudamah al-Thaqafi from the scholars of Kufa (d. 160 AH).
– Jareer ibn ‘Abdul-Hameed al-Dhabi, was born in Persia, raised in Kufa but took later residence in Ray’ (d. 188 AH).
Assalaamu Alaikum
Waiyyaaki.
Bayt 9:
وكابن مبارك أو كابن وهب *** وكالقطان ذي شرف وحال
Sister umeabdAllaah already mentioned ibn Mubaarak: “Abdullaah ibn Mubarak – (d. 181/797) – student of imam Abu Hanifa, imam Malik and Sufyan at-Thawri,…” rahmatullaahi alayhim.
Abdullaah ibn Wahb ibn Muslim al-Fihree (b.125 – d.197 AH). Ath-Thahabee said about him: He sought knowledge whilst he was 17 years old. He also said: He was from the vessels of knowledge and treasures of action.
Yahyaa ibn Sa’eed, ibn Farrookh al-Qattaan (b. 120 – d. 198 AH).
Wallaahu A’lam.
Bayt 10:
وحماد وحماد جميعا *** وكابن الدستوائي الجمال
– Hammad ibn Salamah ibn Dinar, the Imam, muhaddith & grammarian of Basra (d. 167 AH). He was the teacher of the above mentioned scholars ‘Abdullah ibn Mubarak and Yahya al-Qattan
‘Ali ibn al-Madini said that he is hujjah and whoever speaks ill of Hammad, then he is to be accused (of illness) in his Deen!
– Hammad ibn Zayd ibn Dirham, Shaykh and Imam of Basra (d. 179 AH). He was the teacher of the likes of Ibn Mubarak, ‘Abdul-Rahman al-Mahdi, ‘Ali ibn al-Madini and his 2 teachers also narrated from him – Shu’bah and Sufyan.
Yahya ibn Yahya al-Naysaburi said “I have not seen anyone more accurate in his hifdh than Hammaad ibn Zayd.”
Thikraa, do you have the Siyar collection at hand (not the e-book)?
Yes I do, al7amdulillaah. I don’t think it’s the “more commonly used” tab3ah…but it’s one nonetheless!
As Salaam ‘alaikum wa rahamatullah,
Jazaakillahu khairan this is a wonderful exercise.
If you’ll allow me to make a small correction insha Allah. The poets name was Abu Tahir As-Silafi (and not As-Salafi, as most people think). Ahsana Allahu ilaiki.
As for the nuqqaad of hadeeth I counted 57 before the last three couplets:
كمعبد المضلل في هواه *** وواصل أو كغيلان المحال
وجعد ثم جهم وابن حرب *** حمير يستحقون المخالي
وثور كاسمه أو شئت فاقلب *** وحفص الفرد قرد ذي افتعا
As those are the heads of misguidance of their times. I have to admit the last couplet is very creative and entertaining.
Lastly, just a suggestion, theres a really nice book by Sh. Mashoor Hassan entitled: “Enaaytun Nisaa bil Hadeeth” published by Dar ibn ‘Affaan in Egypt. I’m sure you’d enjoy and benefit from it insha Allah.
Waffaqkillah wa baaraka feeki.
Was salaam ‘alaikum wa rahamatullah
Wa `alaykumusalaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh
Jazaakallahu khayran akhi for the correction, I appreciate it.
I actually wondered about the name for some time as it didn’t seem right – but because we haven’t done the shar7 yet in class, I’m sure this is not the only mistake I’m to make (‘ilm al-rijal is not my field either!)
Baarakallahu feek for the title, it sounds very good masha’Allaah – I’ll keep a look out for it bi’idhnillaah
Waffaqanallahu wa iyyaakum
Thikraa, how many volumes do you have it in? I don’t even have the e-book anymore let alone the actual books so I can’t comment on original or the not-so original taba3aat! Insha’Allah I’ll purchase the set one day, but not right now.
I forgot the rest of bayt 10:
وحماد وحماد جميعا *** وكابن الدستوائي الجمال
– Hishaam ibn Abi ‘Abdillaah al-Dastuwaa’ee, Imam from Basra (d. 153/154 AH). He narrated hadeeth from Qatada, Hammad & Ma’mar ibn Rashid among others. His students include the likes of Wakee’, Ibn Mubarak, Abu Dawud.
Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatoh
It’s 17 Vol. + 2 Fahaaris. The e-book is available online at al-Maktabah ash-Shaamilah and al-Waqfiyyah.
Bayt 11:
وبعدهم وكيع وابن مهدي *** المهدي في كل الخلال
– As mentioned earlier by Sis. umeabdAllaah “Abu Sufyan Wakee’ b. al Jarrah – (d. 197/812)”.
– Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Mahdiyy ibn Hassaan ibn Abdur-Rahmaan (b.135 – d.198 AH). He heard from ad-Dastuwaa’ee, Sufyaan and Shu’bah, among many others. Those who narrated from him include ibn al-Mubaarak and ibn Wahb (who were both his Shuyookh!) as well as Ahmad and Ishaaq.
Sub7aanallaah, it seems that quite a number of scholars passed away in 197/198 AH. You read about them and their achievements and contributions to the deen of Allaah…now they’re all gone. We’ll be gone one day too…what have we prepared?
May Allaah ta’aalaa have mercy on us and them. Aameen.
Wa `alaykumusalaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh
17 volumes! Yeah I think I’ll definitely wait 🙂 My bookshelf would probably crash in…
Jazakillahu khayran for the correct spelling ukhti.
Bayt 12
ومكي ووهب والحميدي *** عبدالله ليث ذي صيال
– Makki ibn Ibrahim al-Tamimi from Khurasaan/Balkh (d. 215 AH). He narrated from Abu Haneefah, Imam Malik and Yahya al-Dastuwa’i. His students include Imam al-Bukhari, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Yahya ibn Ma’een among others.
– Wahb ibn Jarir ibn Haazim al-Azdi from Basra, a companion of Imam al-Shafi’i (d. 206 AH).
– ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubair al-Humaydi (d. 219 AH), shaykh al-haram. He narrated a lot from Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah & also from Fudhayl ibn ‘Iyaadh. Abu Hatim studied hadeeth from him as did Abu Zur’ah and others.
What have we prepared indeed…
Allahul Musta’aan 🙁
As salaam ‘alaikum wa rahamatullahi wa barakaatuhu,
Are you planning on finishing the rest of the qaseedah?
Waffaqanaa Allahu wa eyyaaki.
Was salaam ‘alaikum wa rahamatullah
Wa `alaykumusalaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh
Yes, insha’Allah we plan on finishing it! And we encourage anyone who can, to participate insha’Allah.
This is a good resource I found useful: http://islamweb.net/ver2/library/alam.php
وضحاك عقيب يزيد أعني *** ابن هارون المحقق في الخصال
– Al-Dhahhaak ibn Mukhallad ibn al-Dhahhaak Muslim al-Shaybani (d. 212 AH)
– Ibn Harun is Yazid ibn Harun ibn Zadhan al-Sulami, Imam and Muhaqqiq Abu Khalid al-Wasidi (d. 206 AH)
Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh
Bayt 14:
كذاك طيالسيا البصرة اذكر *** فما روياه من أثر لآلي
The ‘two’ Tayaalisees are:
– Aboo Daawood at-Tayaalisee – Sulaymaan ibn Daawood ibn al-Jaarood (d. 203 or 204 AH). Wakee’ is quoted to have said: Aboo Daawood is the mountain of knowledge.
and
– Abul-Waleed at-Tayaalisee – Hishaam ibn Abdul-Malik (b. 133 – d.227 AH) – heard from Shu’bah and Hishaam ad-Dastuwaa’ee among others. Those who narrated from him include al-Bukhaaree, Aboo Daawood among others.
Wallaahu A’lam.
As salaam ‘alaikum wa rahamatullahi wa barakaatuhu,
The 15th couplet
وعفان نعم وأبونعيم *** حميدا الحال مرضيا الفعال
1- Abu ‘Uthmaan ‘Affaan bin Muslim bin ‘Abdillah al-baahily Al-Basaree. Also known as As-Sifaar. Al-Imam Al-Hafidh, muhaddith of ‘Iraq. Born 124 and died 219. He Narrated from: Shu’bah, Hisham, the two Hammads, and Hamam. Those who narrated from him: Al-Bukhari, Ibn Ma’een, Ibn Al-Madeeni and Ishaaq. His ahadeeth are found in all 6 famous books of Hadeeth (With intermediaries).
2- Abu Nu’aym Al-Fadl bin Dakeen Al-Koofi. Al-Hafidh Al-Kabeer, Shaikh ul Islaam. Born in 130 and died in 218 or 219. He narrated from: Al-‘Amash, Zakariyyah bin Abee Zaaidah, Ja’far bin Barqaan and many more. Those who narrated from him: Al-Bukhari (frequently), Ahmad, Ishaaq, Ibn Ma’een, Abu Khaythamah, and the two Ibn Abee Shaybahs.
Rahimahum Allah Ajma’een.
Fajr, that was an excellent resource maa shallah!
I looked up this poem on Shamelah, and the muhaqqiq of Seer actually extracts the ‘alaam from the qaseedah so it kind of does ruin the fun, but if you can’t figure it out it’s an excellent place to start.
Baaraka Allahu feekum
Wa `alaykumusalaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh
Jazakumullahu khayran!
Thikraa, alhamdulillah glad to see your wrist is better! May Allah reward you & put barakah into your time. Ameen
Baarakallaahu feek akh Navaid, I initially thought the info on Islamweb must have been taken from the Siyar, but evidently not! I’m going to try and use the Siyar as a ‘help-tool’ and Islamweb as a backup!
Bayt 16:
ويحيى شيخ نيسابور ثم الـ *** ـإمام الشافعي المقتدى لي
– Yahya ibn Abi Bakir ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman (Abu Zakariyya), from Naysabur (d. 226 AH).
– Imam al-Shafi’i, Muhammad ibn Idris ibn ‘Abbas. Born in Gaza, Palestine (b. 150 AH, d. 204 AH). One of the great Imams of Fiqh, founder of the Shafi’i madhab, he was born the same year that another great Faqih died, Abu Hanifa (rahimahumallah). The books of siyar, tabaqat and tarajim are filled with notes on his vast knowledge, authority in Fiqh, language, poetry as well as his enriched life of virtue – too many things to repeat here.
Abu Tahir then says, ‘al-Muqtada li’ – i.e. that he himself is a follower of the Shafi’i school of fiqh.
Bayt 17:
كذاكم ابن خالد المكنى *** أبا ثور وكان حوى المعالي
– Abu Thawr mentioned here is: Ibrahim ibn Khalid ibn Abi al-Yaman al-Kalbi (d. 240 AH), a scholar in Fiqh, Mufti of ‘Iraq and a contemporary and companion of Imam al-Shafi’i – and this is why Abu Tahir says ‘wa kadhakum’ (i.e. and likewise he, Abu Thawr is a leader and guide for him in matters of fiqh). He narrated hadith from the likes of Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah & Waki’ ibn Jarrah and it’s reported that Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah narrated from him.
Abu Hatim said about him: كان أحد أئمة الدنيا فقها وعلما وورعا وفضلا (that he was from the leaders of this world in understanding the Deen, in having knowledge, piety and virtue)
Bayt 18
وأيضا فالصدوق أبو عبيد *** فأعلام من أرباب المقال
– The ‘Saduq Abu ‘Ubayd’ mentioned here is the Hafidh: Al-Qasim ibn Salam, a mujtahid and muhaddith from Baghdad (d. 224 AH). He read/reviewed the Qur’an with Imam al-Kisa’ee, and authored a book in the field of the Qira’aat. He was also known for his strength in the Sciences of the Arabic language.
Some of his teachers were Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah, Yahya al-Qattan, ‘Abdur-Rahman ibn al-Mahdi, and his students included Ibn Abi Dunya (Abu Bakr) and al-Darimi among others.
Anyone want to help me finish this off? 🙂 It’s better when we partake in benefiting/studying with one another…