Can you provide a brief biography of Imam Ibn Jarir At Tabari (rahimahullah)?
Answer
Imam Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Jarir ibn Yazid At Tabari (rahimahullah) was born in the year 224 A.H. in Tabaristan [Iran] and he passed away in the year 310 A.H. in Baghdad.
He had memorised the Quran at a young age and started gathering Hadith at the age of 9.
He was extremely proficient in several different branches of knowledge.
‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) writes, “He was trustworthy, truthful, a hafiz, a leader in Tafsir, a great leader in Fiqh, extremely knowledgeable in history, as well as qira’at and linguistics.”
‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has also stated that Imam Ibn Jarir (rahimahullah) met many high ranking scholars and due to his knowledge, intelligence and number of books authored he was unparalleled, it is rare to see someone like him.
Among his many teachers were:
Muhammad ibn Humayd Ar Razi, Ahmad ibn Mani’, Hannad ibnus Sariy, Sufyan ibn Waki’, ‘Amr ibn ‘Ali Al Fallas.
He had authored many books, the most famous ones being, Jami’ul Bayan ‘An Ta-wili Ayil Quran; Tafsir Tabari, Tarikhul Umami Wal Muluk and Tahdhibul Athar, but passed away before completing it.
(Refer: Siyaru A’alamin Nubala, vol. 14 pg. 267-282)
See a detailed biography of this great Imam here.
Also see here.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar