Abu al-Thana al-Asbahani

Abu al-Thana al-Asbahani (674–749 AH / 1276–1349 CE) was a Persian Shafi'i scholar of legal theory, theology, and Quranic exegesis, known for his commentary Bayan al-Mukhtasar on Ibn al-Hajib's Mukhtasar al-Muntaha al-Durar al-Kamina fi Aya…+1.

Lineage and Early Life

He was Mahmud ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr ibn Ali al-Asbahani, entitled Shams al-Din and carrying the kunya Abu al-Thana al-Durar al-Kamina fi Aya…+1. He was also recorded with the kunya Abu al-Baqa, and his lineage was traced back to Ala al-Dawla al-Hamadhani al-Durar al-Kamina fi Aya…+1. He was born in Isfahan in Sha'ban 674 AH (another report gives 694 AH) and was raised and educated there al-Durar al-Kamina fi Aya…+1.

Education and Career

Al-Asbahani studied the religious and rational sciences in Isfahan under his father, Abd al-Rahman, and Jamal al-Din ibn Abi al-Raja', and he reportedly studied under Qutb al-Din al-Shirazi al-Durar al-Kamina fi Aya…+1. He relocated to Tabriz, where he engaged in advanced study and assumed a teaching post Tabaqat al-Shafiiyya li-I…+1.

In 724 AH, he performed the pilgrimage to Mecca and visited Jerusalem, after which he arrived in Damascus in Safar 725 AH al-Durar al-Kamina fi Aya…+1. In Damascus, he heard Hadith from Ahmad ibn Abi Talib al-Hajjar (Ibn al-Shahnah), maintained daily study circles at the Umayyad Mosque, and taught at al-Madrasa al-Rawahiyya following the death of Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr al-Zamalkani al-Durar al-Kamina fi Aya…+1. During his time in Damascus, he met Taqi al-Din Ibn Taymiyyah, who praised his knowledge and instructed his students to listen attentively to his discourse, stating that no one of his caliber had entered the land al-Durar al-Kamina fi Aya…+1.

In Rabi' al-Thani 732 AH, the Mamluk Emir Qawsun summoned him to Cairo via the royal post through the mediation of Majd al-Din al-Aqsarayi al-Durar al-Kamina fi Aya…+1. In Egypt, he taught at al-Madrasa al-Mu'izziyya and was appointed head of the Qawsun Khanqah in al-Qarafa upon its opening in Safar 736 AH Husn al-Muhadara fi Tarik…+1.

Scholarly Standing and Students

Al-Asbahani was regarded as an authority in the rational and legal sciences Husn al-Muhadara fi Tarik…+1. Jamal al-Din al-Isnawi described him as an accomplished scholar of the rational sciences (aqliyyat), thoroughly knowledgeable in both theological and legal principles, devout, unpretentious, and dedicated to the propagation of knowledge al-Durar al-Kamina fi Aya…+1. Salah al-Din al-Safadi reported observing him writing his commentary on the Quran directly from memory without consulting written sources; the work synthesized the exegeses of al-Zamakhshari and Fakhr al-Din al-Razi with supplementary discussions and critiques Kashf al-Zunun an Asami a…+1.

His students included Muhibb al-Din Mahmud ibn Ali al-Qunawi, who studied Saif al-Din al-Amidi's Muntaha al-Su'ul under him Husn al-Muhadara fi Tarik…+1. His commentary on al-Baydawi's Tawali' al-Anwar in theology (kalam) also received widespread attention and scholarly annotations al-Fawaid al-Bahiya fi Ta…+1.

Death

Al-Asbahani died of the plague in Cairo in Dhu al-Qa'da 749 AH (1349 CE) and was buried in the cemetery of al-Qarafa Husn al-Muhadara fi Tarik…+1.