Saturday, April 5, 2014

AL-SHAYKH AL-SADUQ (R.A.)

Abu Jaffer Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn Babuyah is known as Al-Shaykh Al-Saduq. He earned the title of “Al-Shaykh Al-Saduq” because of his great learning and his reputation for truthfulness. His father, Al-Shaykh Ali was a leading figure among the scholars of Qum, Iran.
The date of birth of the Shaykh is not known exactly. However, an interesting story surrounds his birth. When his father was in Iraq, he met with Abul Qasim al-Hussayn bin Rawh, the third agent of the Hidden Imam. He wrote a letter to al-Hussayn bin Rawh and requested him to carry it to the Hidden Imam. In this letter he asked for a son. Al-Hussayn wrote back an answer stating that they (the Hidden Imam and al-Hussayn) had prayed for him and that he will have two sons. Another version of the story says three sons. On the basis of this story, every Shi’ite scholar has placed his birth after the year 305 A.H. He was born in Qum and was educated by his father and came into close contact with all the leading scholars in Qum and studied under many of them. He travelled widely visiting many cities in search of Traditions and as a result the number of scholars he learned Traditions from is 211.
Shaykh Tusi puts the number of his books at over 300. There are some of his books still in manuscript form yet to be printed. He spent most of his time in collection and compilation of Traditions. He was a great teacher of Traditions. His last days were spent in Rayy, which is present day Tehran. He died in 381A.H. and was buried in Rayy.
Man La Yahzruhu al-Faqih: It is one of the major Shiite books on Traditions of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and his Pure Progeny (a.s.). Man La Yahzuruhu al-Faqih is translated as for the one who does not have a jurist present before him. It contains the Traditions about the laws of Islam or “Furu”. The book was translated by E.G. Brown as “Every man his own lawyer”. Shaykh Saduq compiled individual books with complete Asnaad on every topic of Jurisprudence like Book of Marriage or Book of the Pilgrimage etc. Asnad is the plural of Sanad. Sanad is the most important part of compiling Tradition. It is the chain of authorities by which the Tradition has been received from the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.) or the Infallible Imams (a.s.). Man La Yahzuru-al Faqih is a summary of the Traditions on different Islamic jurisprudence without the detailed “Asnads” meant to be a reference book for ordinary Shia. The book is divided into sections or Abwaab. It contains 9,044 Traditions.The book was translated into Urdu.
In many cases, he had elaborated the Tradition so as to draw some rules from it. Commentaries on the book were written by al-Sayyid Ahmad b. Zain al-Abidin al-Alawi al-Amili and Muhammad Taqi al-Majlisi al-Awwal. The book has recently been published in four volumes in Tehran.
His other books included the following:
11.  Oyoon Akhbar ar-Rida which had been dedicated to Sahib ibn Ebad, the wise minister of Ale Buyeh Dynasty also included certain Traditions of Infallible Imam ar-Riza (a.s.)
.   2   Kamal al-din wa tamam al-ni’mah or the perfection of religion and the end of blessings. The book relates to Imam Zamanah (a.t.f.) including questions about the Occultation for non-believers.
3.3       Ma’ani al-Akhbar in which he explained the shades of complexities of interpretation of Quran and Traditions.
4. 4      Al-Khisal which is about moral instructions, points of scientific, historical and legal origins which had been organized according to the numerical hiearchies.
5.5       Al-Mali in which his students had collected all his speeches and lessons.
6.6       Ill-al Sharai or cause of situations which includes the reasons behind the philosophy of Islamic ordinances.
7.7       Al-Amali
8.8       Sifat us-Shia
9.9       Al-Hidayatu fil Fiqah
110.   Al-Itiqadaat
111.   Thawab ul A’amaal
112.   Iqab ul A’mal
113.   Fazael-ush- Shia
114.   Mussadaqatul  Ikhwan 
115.   Meaani  al-Akhbar
116.   Al-Mawaaezah
117.   Faza’al ul-ashhoor it-Tahalata



Sources used:
Great Shia Works: Man La Yahduruhal Faqih                        By Dr. I.K.A. Howard
WIKIPEDIA


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