Question
Who was Imam ‘Ijli (rahimaullah)? If he has graded a narrator trustworthy, would his grading be accepted among scholars of Hadith?
Answer
Imam Abul Hasan, Ahmad Ibn ‘Abdillah Al-‘Ijli (rahimahullah), was a great Muhaddith of the past. He was born in the year 182AH and passed away in the year 261AH.
He reported Hadith from: Hussain Al-Ju’fi, Shababah Ibn Sawwar, Muhammad Ibn Yusuf Al-Firyabi, and others (rahimahumullah).
Some of his students were: Salih bin Ahmad (his son), Muhammad bin Futays, Sa’id bin Ishaq, and others (rahimahumullah).
(Siyar A’alamin Nubala, vol. 12 pgs. 505-507)
If he were to grade a narrator, his grading would indeed be considered. Imam Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has listed his name among those Muhaddithun whose statements regarding narrators [i.e Jarh and Ta’dil] will be relied upon and considered.
(Dhikru Man Yu’tamadu Qawluhu fil Jarhi wat Ta’dil; Arba’u Rasail fi ‘Ulumil Hadith of Shaykh ‘Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah, pg. 193)
Note: The above is merely an answer to the question provided. One who is unqualified, should not seek to apply this and/or draw conclusions on related issues independently.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar