Draft:Abu Hamza al-Thumali
| Abu Hamza al-Thumali | |
|---|---|
 | |
| name | Thabit ibn Dinar al-Thumali (Abu Hamza al-Thumali) |
| Personal details | |
| religion | Islam |
| works | Template:Horizontal list |
Thabit ibn Dinar, known as Abu Hamza al-Thumali, was one of the prominent figures of Kufa and a renowned companion of Imam Sajjad (AS). He was a master of Hadith, Jurisprudence, and Quranic exegesis, teaching the knowledge of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) to the Shias. He learned and narrated a highly virtuous supplication from Imam Sajjad (AS), which is recited during the pre-dawn hours of Ramadan and has become famous as the Supplication of Abu Hamza.
Biography
His exact year of birth is not known; however, given that he narrated fromadhan al-Kindi (d. 82 AH), he must have been born before 82 AH. Abu Hamza was from Kufa.
Abu Hamza al-Thumali was a devout and righteous companion of Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS). He was also a companion of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir and Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (AS). Al-Najashi stated: "He was the best of our companions and the most reliable among them in narration and tradition." According to a report from Ali al-Rida, he said: "Abu Hamza in his time was like Salman al-Farsi in his time." His supplications were answered.
Three of Abu Hamza's sons, namely Hamza, Nuh, and Mansur, were killed in the uprising of Zayd ibn Ali. He died in the year 150 AH.
Tribe
The Al-Muhallab family considered him one of their freed clients (mawali), but Al-Najashi rejected this claim. Ibn Babawayh regarded him as belonging to the Tayy tribe and the Banu Thu'alah clan, attributing his epithet "al-Thumali" to his residence in the quarter inhabited by the Thumalah clan of the Azd tribe. Abu Hamza had contact with Zayd ibn Ali in Kufa and witnessed his call to uprising and his martyrdom in Kufa.
Abu Hamza al-Thumali's Encounter with Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS)
Abu Hamza al-Thumali first met Imam Sajjad (AS) when the Imam traveled from Medina to Kufa, becoming deeply devoted to him.
He said: "After the Imam performed prayer in the Mosque of Kufa, I asked him why he had come there. The Imam replied: 'To perform prayer; if people knew the virtue of praying in the Mosque of Kufa, they would crawl on their hands and knees toward it like infants.'"
Then they went together to visit the shrine of Commander of the Faithful Ali (AS). Along the way, he benefited from the ocean of knowledge of Ali ibn al-Husayn (Zayn al-Abidin).
After the visitation, the Imam returned to Medina and Abu Hamza to Kufa. Thereafter, Abu Hamza repeatedly traveled with a group of Shia jurists to visit the shrine of Commander of the Faithful Ali (AS). During these journeys, he taught his fellow travelers the knowledge of the Ahl al-Bayt, Quranic exegesis, hadith, and jurisprudence.
Abu Hamza's Credibility Among Sunnis
Although Sunnis rarely narrate from Shia transmitters, especially when the transmitter is particularly associated with the Shia sect, Abu Hamza is among those whose narrations have received considerable attention from them. For instance, Ibn Asakir cited his reports in various places, Ibn Kathir frequently relied on his narrations, and Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani included numerous reports from him in al-Aghani. Among Shia biographers as well, Abu Hamza has been praised and declared trustworthy, with Al-Najashi considering him a reliable (thiqa) narrator.
Regarding his high status, a miracle has been attributed to him: it is said that he recited the supplication taught to him by Imam Sajjad (AS) over his son's broken hand, which immediately healed, to such an extent that Yahya ibn Abdullah, a bone-setter, could not determine which hand had been broken.
The Supplication of Abu Hamza al-Thumali
Through his mystical supplications, devoted acts of worship, nocturnal hymns, obedience to the One Creator, and discipleship in the school of the Imams (peace be upon them), Abu Hamza attained spiritual distinction.
Due to his tireless efforts and round-the-clock activities in acquiring knowledge and wisdom, Abu Hamza al-Thumali reached a stage where he assumed a teaching position as a master of hadith, jurisprudence, and exegesis, imparting the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) to the Shi'a.
Abu Hamza al-Thumali devoted most of his time to worship and teaching Islamic sciences. He never neglected to receive spiritual and moral blessings from the presence of the Imams (peace be upon them), particularly Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him). The chain of transmission of the famous supplication known as "Abu Hamza al-Thumali" indicates that during those luminous nights, Abu Hamza was a companion, confidant, and servant in the presence of the Fourth Imam, Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him).
In this regard, he states: "Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) would engage in prayer throughout the nights of the blessed month of Ramadan until dawn; and when the time of dawn arrived, he would recite the Supplication of Abu Hamza: "O God, do not chastise me with Your punishment, nor deceive me with Your stratagem. From where can I obtain good, O Lord, except from You...". The Supplication of Abu Hamza is lengthy, equivalent to two sections of the Holy Quran. Its concluding passages end with these mystical themes: "... O God, I ask You for a faith that penetrates my heart, and a sincere certainty such that I know nothing shall befall me except what You have decreed for me; and make me content with the livelihood You have allotted me, O Most Merciful of the merciful."
The Supplication of Abu Hamza al-Thumali
Abu Hamza al-Thumali narrated that during the month of Ramadan, Ali Zayn al-Abidin would spend most of the night in prayer, and when the time for beginning the fast arrived, he would recite a supplication which later became known as the Supplication of Abu Hamza al-Thumali. This supplication is recorded in the book Misbah al-Mutahajjid by Shaykh al-Tusi.
Works
- The book Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim (an exegesis of the Quran).
- The book al-Nawadir (a book concerning rare narrations).
- The book al-Zuhd (The Book of Asceticism).
- Risalat al-Huquq from Ali ibn al-Husayn.
Characteristics of Abu Hamza's Exegesis
In some books, reference is made to the book of Abu Hamza's exegesis, while in others it is cited as Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim. In Abu Hamza's exegesis, unlike other transmitted commentaries, fewer mursal hadiths are found. Abu Hamza paid attention to the occasions of revelation and, while emphasizing the virtues of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), employed the method of interpreting the Quran by the Quran. He also gave special attention to ijtihad, variant readings, lexicography, grammar, and the transmission of diverse opinions regarding the meanings of verses.
Several Narrations Concerning the Greatness of Abu Hamza's Status
- One day, Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said to him: "Whenever I see you, I feel tranquility."
- Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: "Abu Hamza in his time was like Salman in his time."
- Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) said: "Abu Hamza al-Thumali in his time was like Luqman the Wise in his time."
See Also
References
- Adapted from the website: Biography of Abu Hamza al-Thumali, one of the companions of Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) - Beytoote, date of publication: n.d., date of access: 15 March 2022 (24 Esfand 1400 SH).