Al-Shaykh al-Mufid: Difference between revisions
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Abu ʿAbd Allāh Muḥammad b. Muḥammad b. al-Nuʿmān al-ʿUkbarī al-Baghdādī (Arabic: محمد بن محمد بن النُعمان العُکبَري البغدادي) (b. 336/948 or 338/950 - d. 413/1022) known as al-Shaykh al-Mufīd (Arabic: الشيخ المفيد) was among the greatest Twelver Shi'a scholars of the second half of the | Abu ʿAbd Allāh Muḥammad b. Muḥammad b. al-Nuʿmān al-ʿUkbarī al-Baghdādī (Arabic: محمد بن محمد بن النُعمان العُکبَري البغدادي) (b. 336/948 or 338/950 - d. 413/1022) known as al-Shaykh al-Mufīd (Arabic: الشيخ المفيد) was among the greatest Twelver Shi'a scholars of the second half of the fourth/tenth century and early fifth/eleventh century. He was among great revivers of Islamic sciences and among the hardworking preachers of Shi'a culture and jurisprudence. It is said by compiling the principles of jurisprudence, he founded a new approach in ijtihad which was a middle way between two other approaches namely extreme rational approach and hadith-based approach without applying the intellect. | ||
Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Ibn Junayd al-Iskafi, and Ibn Qulawayh are among the greatest teachers of al-Shaykh al-Mufid. Al-Shaykh al-Tusi, al-Sayyid al-Murtada, al-Sayyid al-Radi, and al-Najashi are his most famous students. His most important works are Al-Muqni'a in jurisprudence, Awa'il al-maqalat in theology, and al-Irshad in the history of Imams. | Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Ibn Junayd al-Iskafi, and Ibn Qulawayh are among the greatest teachers of al-Shaykh al-Mufid. Al-Shaykh al-Tusi, al-Sayyid al-Murtada, al-Sayyid al-Radi, and al-Najashi are his most famous students. His most important works are Al-Muqni'a in jurisprudence, Awa'il al-maqalat in theology, and al-Irshad in the history of Imams. | ||
==Birth and Childhood== | ==Birth and Childhood== | ||
Muhammad b. Muhammad b. al-Nu'man b. 'Abd al-Salam b. Jabir b. al-Nu'man was born on Dhu l-Qa'da 11, 336/948 <ref>Najāshī, Rijāl, p. 399 & 402. </ref> or 338/950 <ref>Ibn al-Nadīm, al-Fihrist, p. 197; Tūsī, al-Fihrist, p. 239</ref> in 'Ukbara, a small town to the north of Baghdad. Muhammad's father was a teacher, and thus he became also known as Ibn al-Mu'allim (son of teacher). <ref>Shubayrī, Guzarī bar hayāt-i Shyakh Mufīd, p. 7-8. </ref> His two other epithets are 'Ukbara and al-Baghdadi. | Muhammad b. Muhammad b. al-Nu'man b. 'Abd al-Salam b. Jabir b. al-Nu'man was born on Dhu l-Qa'da 11, 336/948 <ref>Najāshī, Rijāl, p. 399 & 402. </ref> or 338/950 <ref>Ibn al-Nadīm, al-Fihrist, p. 197; Tūsī, al-Fihrist, p. 239</ref> in 'Ukbara, a small town to the north of Baghdad. Muhammad's father was a teacher, and thus he became also known as Ibn al-Mu'allim (son of teacher). <ref>Shubayrī, Guzarī bar hayāt-i Shyakh Mufīd, p. 7-8. </ref> His two other epithets are 'Ukbara and al-Baghdadi. | ||
In his childhood, Muhammad went to Baghdad with his father and began learning knowledge under great scholars of theology such as Abu 'Abd Allah al-Husayn b. Ali al-Basri known as al-Ju'al among the great teachers of Mu'tazilites of his time, who was famous in jurisprudence and theology and Abu Yasir, student of the famous scholar of theology, Abu al-Jaysh Muzaffar b. Muhammad al-Khurasani al-Balkhi who was apparently called al-Tahir. Following the advice of Abu Yasir, Muhammad attended the class of 'Ali b. 'Isa al-Rummani, the famous Mu'tazilite scholar. <ref>Shubayrī, Guzarī bar hayāt-i Shyakh Mufīd, p. 7-8. </ref> After a debate between Muhammad and al-Rummani, when Muhammad won the debate, in a letter, al-Rummani recommended him to Abu 'Abd Allah al-Ju'al and titled him as "al-Mufid". | In his childhood, Muhammad went to Baghdad with his father and began learning knowledge under great scholars of theology such as Abu 'Abd Allah al-Husayn b. Ali al-Basri is known as al-Ju'al among the great teachers of Mu'tazilites of his time, who was famous in jurisprudence and theology, and Abu Yasir, student of the famous scholar of theology, Abu al-Jaysh Muzaffar b. Muhammad al-Khurasani al-Balkhi who was apparently called al-Tahir. Following the advice of Abu Yasir, Muhammad attended the class of 'Ali b. 'Isa al-Rummani, the famous Mu'tazilite scholar. <ref>Shubayrī, Guzarī bar hayāt-i Shyakh Mufīd, p. 7-8. </ref> After a debate between Muhammad and al-Rummani, when Muhammad won the debate, in a letter, al-Rummani recommended him to Abu 'Abd Allah al-Ju'al and titled him as "al-Mufid". | ||
Two children have been mentioned for him in historical sources; a son named Abu l-Qasim Ali and an unnamed daughter who has been the wife of Abu Ya'la al-Ja'fari. | Two children have been mentioned for him in historical sources; a son named Abu l-Qasim Ali and an unnamed daughter who has been the wife of Abu Ya'la al-Ja'fari. | ||
According to reports, al-Mufid narrated hadiths since the age of five by permission. | According to reports, al-Mufid narrated hadiths since the age of five by permission. | ||
==As the Head of Shi'a== | ==As the Head of Shi'a== | ||
About the age of forty, he became the leader of Shi'a in jurisprudence, theology, and hadith and in defense of Shi'a, debated scholars of other sects. | About the age of forty, he became the leader of Shi'a in jurisprudence, theology, and hadith and in defense of Shi'a, debated scholars of other sects. | ||
The life of al-Shaykh al-Mufid was full of ups and downs, so that he was exiled from Baghdad three times in 392/1001-2 or 393/1002-3, 398/1007-8, and 409/1018-19. However, he had a high position before caliphs and his high influence in the society at his time can be understood from cursing him by Sunni biographers, especially al-Khatib al-Baghdadi. From his statement, it can be understood that many people became Shi'a because of him and this made disputant angry. | The life of al-Shaykh al-Mufid was full of ups and downs, so that he was exiled from Baghdad three times in 392/1001-2 or 393/1002-3, 398/1007-8, and 409/1018-19. However, he had a high position before the caliphs and his high influence in the society at his time can be understood from cursing him by Sunni biographers, especially al-Khatib al-Baghdadi. From his statement, it can be understood that many people became Shi'a because of him and this made disputant angry. | ||
In religious conflicts of the time of al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Shi'a-resident areas of Baghdad such as Karkh and Bab al-Taq many times caught huge fires. In 361/971-2 (or 362/972-3), during the rule of 'Izz al-Dawla, due to bigotry of Hajib Sabuktagin, revolt and chaos erupted in Iraq and grew every day. At that time, Abu l-Fadl, the minister of 'Izz al-Dawla ordered to burn Karkh. Karkh was an important part of Baghdad, its Shi'a-resident area and the biggest commercial center of Abbasids. In that accident, many people were burnt. In 363/973-4, Karkh caught fire once again after religious struggles. Toward the last years of al-Shaykh al-Mufid's life, in 408/1017-18, al-Qadir, the Abasid caliph, supported by Mahmud of Ghazni, killed, exiled, and imprisoned many opposing religious groups including – according to Sunni historians –Rafidis. Al-Shaykh al-Mufid was the leader of Twelver Shi'a at such a difficult time. | In religious conflicts of the time of al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Shi'a-resident areas of Baghdad such as Karkh and Bab al-Taq many times caught huge fires. In 361/971-2 (or 362/972-3), during the rule of 'Izz al-Dawla, due to bigotry of Hajib Sabuktagin, revolt and chaos erupted in Iraq and grew every day. At that time, Abu l-Fadl, the minister of 'Izz al-Dawla ordered to burn Karkh. Karkh was an important part of Baghdad, its Shi'a-resident area and the biggest commercial center of Abbasids. In that accident, many people were burnt. In 363/973-4, Karkh caught fire once again after religious struggles. Toward the last years of al-Shaykh al-Mufid's life, in 408/1017-18, al-Qadir, the Abasid caliph, supported by Mahmud of Ghazni, killed, exiled, and imprisoned many opposing religious groups including – according to Sunni historians –Rafidis. Al-Shaykh al-Mufid was the leader of Twelver Shi'a at such a difficult time. | ||
==Personal Traits== | ==Personal Traits== | ||
Al-Mufid had great spiritual states. His charity works were many. He had a nice humble manner. He prayed a lot, fasted, and worn harsh clothes, so that he was even called Shaykh Mashayikh al-Sufiyya (the master of the masters of Sufis). <ref>Shubayrī, Guzarī bar hayāt-i Shyakh Mufīd, p. 26. </ref> | Al-Mufid had great spiritual states. His charity works were many. He had a nice humble manner. He prayed a lot, fasted, and worn harsh clothes, so that he was even called Shaykh Mashayikh al-Sufiyya (the master of the masters of Sufis). <ref>Shubayrī, Guzarī bar hayāt-i Shyakh Mufīd, p. 26. </ref> | ||
Abu Ya'la al-Ja'fari, al-Shaykh al-Mufid's son-in-law, said, "He did not sleep but a part of night and then got up and prayed, studied, taught, or recited the Qur'an." <ref>Shubayrī, Guzarī bar hayāt-i Shyakh Mufīd, p. 26-27 </ref> | Abu Ya'la al-Ja'fari, al-Shaykh al-Mufid's son-in-law, said, "He did not sleep but a part of the night and then got up and prayed, studied, taught, or recited the Qur'an." <ref>Shubayrī, Guzarī bar hayāt-i Shyakh Mufīd, p. 26-27 </ref> | ||
His appearance has been described as a person who was thin with average height and tawny skin. | His appearance has been described as a person who was thin with average height and tawny skin. | ||
==Scholarly Position== | ==Scholarly Position== | ||
It is reported that he memorized all the works of Shi'a's opponents so that he could answer their questions. In his house, sessions were held that all scholars of different sects attended and al-Shaykh al-Mufid discussed with all of them. His wit, power in repartee, intelligence, quickness, perspicacity, great knowledge, sweet tongue, and his patience against enemies helped him debate scholars of different sects such as Mu'tazilite, Mujbira, Zaydiyya, Isma'iliyya, etc. <ref>Ṭūsī, al-Fihrist, p. 238. </ref> | It is reported that he memorized all the works of Shi'a's opponents so that he could answer their questions. In his house, sessions were held that all scholars of different sects attended and al-Shaykh al-Mufid discussed with all of them. His wit, power in repartee, intelligence, quickness, perspicacity, great knowledge, sweet tongue, and his patience against enemies helped him debate scholars of different sects such as Mu'tazilite, Mujbira, Zaydiyya, Isma'iliyya, etc. <ref>Ṭūsī, al-Fihrist, p. 238. </ref> | ||
In al-Fihrist, al-Shaykh al-Tusi says, "Muhammad b. Muhammad b. Nu'man al-Mufid, whose teknonym was Abu 'Abd Allah was known as Ibn al-Mu'allim was among Twelver Shi'a theologians who became their leader at his time and was a pioneer in knowledge and theology at his time and was also a pioneer in jurisprudence. He had | In al-Fihrist, al-Shaykh al-Tusi says, "Muhammad b. Muhammad b. Nu'man al-Mufid, whose teknonym was Abu 'Abd Allah was known as Ibn al-Mu'allim was among Twelver Shi'a theologians who became their leader at his time and was a pioneer in knowledge and theology at his time and was also a pioneer in jurisprudence. He had good mental power, quick insight, and witty, who had about 200 minor and major works." | ||
Under Ibn al-Mu'allim, Ibn al-Nadim wrote that, "Abu 'Abd Allah has become the leader of Shi'a theologians in our time. He is ahead of his companions in other sects in theology. He is quick in understanding and has a sharp insight. I have seen him and found him matchless." <ref>Ibn Nadīm, al-Fihrist, p. 226, 247. </ref> | Under Ibn al-Mu'allim, Ibn al-Nadim wrote that, "Abu 'Abd Allah has become the leader of Shi'a theologians in our time. He is ahead of his companions in other sects in theology. He is quick in understanding and has a sharp insight. I have seen him and found him matchless." <ref>Ibn Nadīm, al-Fihrist, p. 226, 247. </ref> | ||
He also wrote, "Ibn al-Mu'allim, Abu 'Abd Allah Muhammad b. Muhammad b. al-Nu'man has become the leader of his companions and Shi'a in jurisprudence and theology in our time." | He also wrote, "Ibn al-Mu'allim, Abu 'Abd Allah Muhammad b. Muhammad b. al-Nu'man has become the leader of his companions and Shi'a in jurisprudence and theology in our time." | ||