Abu Umar al-Kindi

Abu Umar al-Kindi (283–350 AH / 897–961 CE) was an Egyptian historian, genealogist, and hadith scholar, best known for his administrative and judicial chronicle Kitab al-Wulat wa Kitab al-Qudat (The Book of Governors and the Book of Judges) Mujam al-Matbuat al-Arabi…+1.

Lineage and early life

He was Abu Umar Muhammad ibn Yusuf ibn Ya'qub ibn Hafs ibn Yusuf ibn Nasr al-Kindi al-Misri, tracing his descent through the branch of Tujib back to the tribe of Kinda Mujam al-Matbuat al-Arabi…+1. He was born in Egypt in 283 AH (897 CE), with one report specifying his birth on the Day of Sacrifice (10 Dhu al-Hijjah), though an alternate report places his birth in 280 AH Mujam al-Matbuat al-Arabi…+1. In jurisprudence, he adhered to the Iraqi school of legal reasoning Kitab al-Wulat wa Kitab a….

Education and scholarly activity

Al-Kindi studied hadith and historical traditions in Egypt. He heard hadith directly from al-Nasa'i when the latter delivered lectures in Egypt Mujam al-Matbuat al-Arabi…+1. For historical reports, his principal authority was Ibn Qudayd (d. 312 AH / 924 CE), along with al-Nasawi Mujaz Dairat al-Maarif al…+1. Towards the end of his life, al-Kindi transmitted hadith and historical material to students Mujam al-Matbuat al-Arabi…+1. Among those who transmitted from him were Abu Muhammad Abd al-Rahman ibn Umar al-Bazzar, known as Ibn al-Nahhas al-Misri, as well as his son Umar ibn Abi Umar al-Kindi Kitab al-Wulat wa Kitab a…+1. Later Egyptian historians, notably Ibn Zulawq, relied on his historical chronicles and composed continuations to them Kitab al-Wulat wa Kitab a…+1.

Standing

Al-Kindi was regarded by contemporaries and later biographers as an authoritative source on the history and governance of Islamic Egypt. In the continuation to the history of al-Tabari, the historian Abu Muhammad Abd Allah ibn Ahmad al-Farghani wrote that al-Kindi was among the most knowledgeable scholars regarding Egypt, its inhabitants, administrative districts, and frontier outposts Mujam al-Matbuat al-Arabi…+1. Al-Farghani also noted that he was versed in hadith literature, possessed accurate textual transmission, and was recognized as an expert in Arab genealogy and lore Mujam al-Matbuat al-Arabi…+1.

Death

Al-Kindi died in Egypt in the month of Ramadan in 350 AH (961 CE) Kitab al-Wulat wa Kitab a…+1. Al-Farghani recorded the exact date of his death as Tuesday, 3 Ramadan 350 AH, while Ibn Muyassar mentioned alternate reports of 2 or 8 Ramadan of that year Kitab al-Wulat wa Kitab a…+1. Another report places his death after 355 AH al-Alam lil-Zirikli. His funeral prayer was conducted at the Musalla of 'Ayyasun, and he was buried in the cemetery of Ghafiq and Kinda, where his grave was leveled flush with the ground Kitab al-Wulat wa Kitab a….