Ibn Hamza al-Tabari: Difference between revisions

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Ibn Hamza, Sharif Hasan b. Hamza b. Ali al-Tabari al-Mar’ashi (d. 358/969) is a Shi’a Faqih and Muhaddith of the 4th century. He travelled to Qom, Rey, Mecca and Kufa for learning Islamic Studies and benefited from great figures such as Ahmad b. Idris al-Qummi and Abu Ghanim Isma’il b. ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Harithi. Shaykh al-Saduq and Ja’far b. Ahmad b. al-Razi are among his pupils in Hadith. Although no one has explicitly said that he is Thiqa (reliable), Shaykh al-Mufid and Shaykh al-Tusi have praised him for his asceticism, pity and righteousness.  

He is among the 6th generation of Imam al-Sajjad's descendants. His grandfather was Ali Mar’ash, and therefore his family was called al-Mar’ashi. They were among Shi’a who resided Tabaristan. Fakhr al-Razi reported that Ibn Hamza also lived in Tabaristan and even his ancestors.

Several signs indicates that he started his education in Tabaristan and learned Hadith under his masters of Hadith (Mashayikh) including Abu al-‘Abbas Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Dinawary and Abu Ja’far Muhammad b. Umidvar al-Tabari.  

Studying Ibn Hamza’s masters in Hadiths shows that he has passed a period of his education in Qom and Rey. He has learned Hadith form Muhammad b. Ja’far al-Asadi al-Razi, Ahmad b. Idris al-Qummi and Muhammad b. Ja’far b. Batta al-Qummi.

The exact time of his return from Qom and Rey is not known; however, in 312 he was in Tabaristan, as Ibn Nuh al-Sirafi reported that he has learned Hadith in Amul during the reign of Ja’far b. Hasan Nasir.

There is no information about his life from 312 to 328; nevertheless, it is guessed that after staying for a while in his hometown he has travelled to Iraq as in 328, he benefited from Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Sa’id b. ‘Uqda and also in the same year Harum b. Musa al-Talli’ukburi has learned Hadiths from him.

In a story narrated by al-Ghada’iri form Ibn Hamza, he has mentioned his education process in Tabaristan, Qom and Rey and completion of his education in Iraq. Nonetheless, in an unknown time, perhaps during his stay in Iraq, he has gone to Hajj and learned Hadiths from Abu Ghanim Isma’il b. ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Harithi in Mecca.

Other than the aforementioned names, great figures such as: Muhammad b. ‘Abd Allah Himyari, Ali b. Ibrahim Qummi, Ali b. Hatam al-Qazwini and Muhammad b. Jarir b. Rustam al-Tabari are among his masters in Hadith.

During the reign of Ardeshir, Baha’ al-Din Mamtiri encouraged Ardeshir to rebuild Ibn Hamza’s tomb.  

There is also no information about his life from 328 to 356. However, he has probably entered Qom and Rey on his way back from Baghdad to Tabaristan. Presumably, Shaykh al-Saduq and Ja’far b. Ahmad b. al-Razi have learned Hadith from him during this time.

Ahmad b. Muhammad b. ‘Ubayd Allah b. ‘Ayyash al-Jawhari, Muhammad b. Ahmad b. Shadhan al-Qummi, Ahmad b. Ali b. Nuh al-Sirafi, Shaykh al-Mufid, Husayn b. ‘Ubayd Allah al-Ghada’iri and Ahmad b. ‘Abd al-Wahid b. ‘Ubdun are among the narrators who have narrated Hadiths from him.

Although no one has explicitly said that he is Thiqa (reliable), Shaykh al-Mufid and Shaykh al-Tusi have praised him for his asceticism, pity and righteousness. Najashi has mentioned him among the great figures of Shi’a. Moreover, Ibn Babiwayh and Husayn b. ‘Ubayd Allah al-Ghada’iri have used the phrase “God be pleased with him” (Radi Allah ‘anh) after his name.  

He authored numerous works, such as al-Mabsut fi ‘amal yawm wa layla, al-Ashfiya fi ma’ani al-ghiyba and Tabashir al-Shari’a.

Moreover, Ibn Isfandiyar has quoted an ode (Qasida) of 37 verses form him and Ibn Shar Ashub had quoted a Ruba’I form him.

[[FA:شریف حسن بن حمزه]]