Draft:Ibn al-Nadim
| Ibn al-Nadim | |
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| name | Abu al-Faraj Muhammad ibn Abi Ya'qub Ishaq ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq |
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| teachers | Template:Vertical list |
| religion | Islam |
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Abu al-Faraj Muhammad ibn Abi Ya'qub Ishaq ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq, known as Ibn al-Nadim, was a 4th-century AH Baghdadi bibliographer, cataloguer, and scholar. Little is known about the life and scholarly activities of Ibn al-Nadim, as later authors and biographers, perhaps due to doctrinal and sectarian differences, paid him scant attention. He possessed a relative familiarity with various sciences and was likely an authority in certain fields such as Arabic literature and the ancient sciences, particularly philosophy and the history of philosophy.
His book, Al-Fihrist, is a treasury encompassing all authored and transmitted books of the Islamic world up to the late 4th century AH, along with biographies of authors and translators, and numerous other benefits, including detailed accounts of past religions and sects, as well as former nations and creeds.
Biography of Ibn al-Nadim
The earliest source regarding the circumstances of Ibn al-Nadim is the concise report by Ibn Shahr Ashub (d. 588 AH) in Ma'alim al-Ulama[1]. Following him, Yaqut al-Hamawi (d. 626 AH), in a brief biography derived from Al-Fihrist, praised Ibn al-Nadim, noting that this work demonstrates the author's knowledge in bibliography and various sciences[2].
Among later sources, mention must be made of Lisan al-Mizan by Ibn Hajar[3], which contains a relatively detailed biography of Ibn al-Nadim based on the accounts of Ibn al-Najjar and Al-Dhahabi, alongside a critical examination of Al-Fihrist. A harsh criticism of Ibn al-Nadim's character is a hallmark of Ibn Hajar's work.
Origin and Lineage of Ibn al-Nadim
One cannot speak with certainty regarding the lineage and origin of Ibn al-Nadim; however, given that he mentions no affiliation or connection to any Arab tribe in Al-Fihrist, it can be said that he was likely not Arab. Furthermore, evidence such as his omission of Iranian religions in the section on sects and religions in Al-Fihrist, as well as the content presented on pages 239–240 thereof, may strengthen the probability that he was not Iranian.
On the other hand, Ibn al-Nadim's interest in the ancient sciences, his friendship with Christian scholars of Baghdad[4], and his commendable knowledge of the state of Mesopotamia before Islam may serve as evidence attributing him to peoples who resided in Mesopotamia prior to the advent of Islam. This probability is reinforced by the names of his father and grandfather—Ishaq—and the kunyas of both himself and his father—Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani and Abu Ya'qub.
Birth
Given that in Al-Fihrist he is consistently referred to as Muhammad ibn Ishaq al-Nadim, and that biographical and historical sources mostly record his name in this manner or as Ibn al-Nadim, [5] it can be said that al-Nadim was the epithet of his father, though the reason for this naming remains unknown.
No information is available regarding Ibn al-Nadim's place of birth. It is only known that he lived in Baghdad and resided for a time in Mosul[6].
Regarding Ibn al-Nadim's birth date, a report provided by himself in Al-Fihrist[7] concerning his meeting with the Kharijite jurist Abu Bakr al-Barda'i in 340 AH is somewhat illuminating. Considering the information Ibn al-Nadim gathered about al-Barda'i's works and doctrines during this meeting, it can be inferred that he had reached scholarly maturity at the time of the encounter and was approximately thirty to forty years old.
Sect
The divergence of opinions regarding Ibn al-Nadim's sect stems from the variety and dispersion of his views in Al-Fihrist. Existing evidence in Al-Fihrist indicates his inclination toward the Mu'tazila school and the doctrine of free will. Examples include:
- Citing Mu'tazili statements regarding the Prophet (peace be upon him) as the source of Mu'tazili thought[8].
- Dividing the Mu'tazila into two groups: the sincere and the innovators[9].
- Applying the title "People of Justice and Monotheism" to the Mu'tazila[10], and conversely, labeling the Hashwiyya as the Sunnis[11].
- Mentioning Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari in the section on theologians of the Jabriyya and Hashwiyya[12].
Reasons for Ibn al-Nadim's Shi'ism
Considering that he refers to certain Shia Imams and their descendants with the phrase "(peace be upon him)"[13], praises the Household of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) in a manner akin to a Shia[14], and does not use the expression "May God be pleased with him" for the Two Shaykhs, other Caliphs, or figures such as Talha, Zubayr, and Aisha[15], it can be said that he adhered to the Shia sect.
It should be added that the expression of approbation ("May God be pleased with him"), which appears in some instances in printed editions of Al-Fihrist[16] regarding Umar ibn al-Khattab and others, is absent in the original manuscripts; thus, it can be inferred that these expressions were added by copyists.
Other evidence exists that may indicate his adherence to Shi'ism:
- Using the specific term "Khassa" (the elite) for Shias and "Amma" (the masses) for Sunnis[17].
- Narrating a report from Al-Waqidi stating that Ali (peace be upon him) was the miracle of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny)[18].
- Describing Al-Waqidi as "good in creed," while considering him a Shia[19].
- Praising Hisham ibn al-Hakam, who adhered to the Imamate of Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him)[20].
- Sunni biographers have always explicitly affirmed Ibn al-Nadim's inclination toward Shi'ism and Mu'tazilism, sometimes criticizing him severely[21].
- It is worth noting that Twelver scholars such as Shaykh Tusi and Al-Najashi, although they benefited from Al-Fihrist, did not count him among the Twelver rijal (authorities)[22].
Works of Ibn al-Nadim
Ibn al-Nadim authored numerous works, but his most renowned work, which enjoys global fame, is the book al-Fihrist. Another of his works is the book al-Awsaf wa al-Tashbihat. His fame rests primarily on al-Fihrist.
Al-Fihrist was completed in the year 377 AH (987 CE), and Ibn al-Nadim likely added further information to it thereafter. This book is the most comprehensive work in the field of general bibliography during the first four centuries of the Islamic era, containing a list of all books written in Arabic up to that time along with biographies of their authors. The book serves as an encyclopedia of history, culture, literature, and religion from pre-Islamic times up to the author's own era[23].[24].
Death
The date of Ibn al-Nadim's death is a matter of dispute. Al-Safadi recorded it as 380 AH, while al-Maqrizi noted it as "Wednesday, 20 Sha'ban 380" in Baghdad. Furthermore, based on a statement by Ibn al-Najjar, the date of Ibn al-Nadim's death is given in one place as "Wednesday, 20 Sha'ban 385" and in another as "Sha'ban of the year thirty-eight." Some contemporaries, considering the latter date, have placed his death in the early 5th century AH. In the first instance, a scribal error appears to have occurred; the second seems unlikely given what was previously mentioned regarding Ibn al-Nadim's birth date. It should be noted that dates after 380 AH appearing in al-Fihrist are, with near certainty, later additions by copyists, especially since the author himself requested in his book that readers endeavor to complete his work.
See also
Notes
- ↑ Ibn Shahr Ashub, p. 143.
- ↑ Yaqut, pp. 17–18.
- ↑ Ibn Hajar, vol. 5, pp. 72–73.
- ↑ "Ibn al-Nadim's knowledge of Judaism and Christianity", vol. 8, pp. 84–113; vol. 10, pp. 156–183.
- ↑ Shaykh Tusi, pp. 41, 68, various places; Al-Najashi, p. 114; Ibn Shahr Ashub, p. 143; Al-Fakti, vol. 1, pp. 7, 8, 9; Ibn Abi Usaybi'ah, vol. 1, p. 57, p. 287.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, p. 94, p. 181.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, p. 295.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, p. 202.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, pp. 201–202.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, pp. 201–202.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, p. 287.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, p. 231.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, pp. 95, 120, 252.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, pp. 197, 276.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, pp. 27, 115, 136.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, pp. 115, 146, 224, 251.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, pp. 246, 287, 289.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, p. 111.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, p. 111.
- ↑ Ibn al-Nadim, pp. 223–224.
- ↑ Yaqut, pp. 17–18; Tarikh al-Islam.
- ↑ Ibn Shahr Ashub, p. 143.
- ↑ "Ibn al-Nadim," Encyclopaedia of Islam.
- ↑ For further explanation, refer to the entry on al-Fihrist.