Khaythama b. 'Abd al-Rahman: Difference between revisions

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'''Khaythama b. ʿAbd al-Raḥmān''' (Arabic:{{ia|خیثمة بن عبدالرحمان}}) is a [[Shi'a]] hadith narrator of the 2nd/8th century and one of the [[:Category:Companions of Imam al-Baqir (a)|companions of Imam al-Baqir (a)]] and [[:Category:Companions of Imam al-Sadiq (a)|Imam al-Sadiq (a)]]. He is one of the famous figures of Al Abi Sabra. Khaythama met many [[sahaba]] and has narrated hadith from some of them.

He has narrated hadiths about the virtues of [[infallible Imams (a)]]. There are some hadiths indicate that [[Imam al-Baqir (a)]] and [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]] had trust in him. In addition to Shi'a scholars some [[Sunni]] scholars of [[rijal]] said that he is reliable([[Tawthiq|Thiqa]]). Great hadith narrators such as [[Ibn Misakn]] and [[Abu Basir]] have narrated hadiths from him.

His Kuniya is Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman. He is from the clan of Ju'fi form the tribe of Madhhij; and therefore, he is known as Ju'fi. His grandfather, Abu Sabra Yazid b. Malik, was the first member of his tribe to embrace Islam, and pledged allegiance to prophet Muhammad (s) as a representative of his tribe. His two sons accompanied him. They emigrated from Yemen to Kufa and resided there.

Khaythama's father's name was ‘Aziz. However, prophet Muhammad (s) changed his name to ‘Abd al-Rahman. The Kuniya of ‘Abd al-Rahman is Abu Khaythama.

Several members of Khaythama's family were Shi'a Muhaddiths, who lived in Kufa. They were known as Banu Abi Sabra. In addition to his grandfather and father, who were Companions of the Prophet (s), his brothers - Isma'il, Jamil and Husayn - his nephews - ‘Umar b. Isma'il, Muhammad b. Isma'il, Masqalt b. Isma'il, Muhammad b. Husayn, Bastam b. Husayn and Ali b. Yunus b. ‘Abd al-Rahman - and his son, Ziyad, were among the companions of Imam al-Baqir (a) and Imam al-Sadiq (a). According to Najashi the credibility of Isma'il b. ‘Abd al-Rahman is more than the others. Al-Shaykh al-Tusi also said Isma'il is Faqih and from Tabi'in (the Follower) and a companion of Imam al-Baqir (a) and Imam al-Sadiq (a), and Iban b. ‘Uthman, Ishaq b. ‘Ammar and Safwan b. Yahya, who are all among the great companions of Imam al-Sadiq (a), has narrated Hadiths from him.  

Ismai'l passed away during the lifetime of Imam al-Sadiq (a) and the Imam prayed form him.

Najashi has mentioned a narrator named Khaythama who had a book, which Muhammad b. ‘Isa b. ‘Abd Allah Ash'ari - a companion of Imam al-Rida (a) and Imam al-Jawad (a) - has narrated. Nevertheless, considering the long interval between Khaythama and Muhammad b. ‘Isa, it is most likely that Khaythama who had a book is different from Khaythama b. ‘Abd al-Rahman. Accordingly, what Turayhi has said that Khaythama b. ‘Abd al-Rahman can be identified by narration of Muhammad b. ‘Isa from him, is wrong. Moreover, there is no Hadith with this chain of narrators; i.e. Muhammad b. ‘Isa from Khaythama.

Early Shi'a Rijal scholars said that he is Wajih (creditable) and Fadil (virtuous). Considering the words of Najashi about him and his narration, later scholars said that he is Thiqa (reliable).

Furthermore, the Hadiths that he has narrated about the status of Imamate - such as: Hadith al-Ghadir, Hadiths about the virtues of the Imams and Hadiths about the attributes of Shi'a - show his deep awareness of the Shi'a Imams' right. It is said that he recognized Wilaya of the Imams and enmity towards their enemies as a condition of being Muslim.

Khaythama has also quoted exegetic Hadiths from Imam al-Baqir (a) and Imam al-Sadiq (a), that are narrated in Tafsir al-‘Ayashshi and Tafsir Furat al-Kufi.  

It is said that he passed away after the battle of Jamajim and before the demise of Abu Wa'il Shaqiq b. Salama (d. 82). Although Khalifat b. Khayyat said that he passed away in 89, none of these reports are compatible with his narration from Imam al-Baqir (a) and Imam al-Sadiq (a).