al-Barjalani
- Died
- 238 AH
- Born in
- -
Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al-Barjalani (d. 238 AH / 852–853 CE) was a Baghdad-based Muslim traditionist and scholar recognized for his compilations on asceticism (zuhd), ethics, and heart-softening traditions (raqa'iq) .
Origins and Lineage
Muhammad ibn al-Husayn was known by the kunyas Abu Ja'far and Abu Shaykh, and is also recorded in biographical sources as Muhammad ibn al-Husayn ibn Abi Shaykh . According to Ibn Abi Hatim, his relative adjective (nisba) al-Barjalani traces back to Barjalan, a village near Wasit . Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi noted instead that he derived the nisba from the al-Barjalaniyya quarter in Baghdad, where he lived .
Scholarly Pursuits and Transmission
Al-Barjalani transmitted hadith from a number of prominent scholars of his era, including Abu Nu'aym al-Fadl ibn Dukayn, Abu 'Asim al-Nabil, al-Husayn ibn Ali al-Ju'fi, Zayd ibn al-Hubab, Azhar ibn Sa'd al-Samman, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal .
He gathered and authored literature focusing on moral exhortations, spiritual refinement, and virtuous character, producing collections such as Kitab al-Zuhd wal-Raqa'iq (The Book of Asceticism and Heart-Softening Traditions) and al-Karam wal-Jud (Generosity and Magnanimity) . A wide circle of students transmitted from him; most notably, Ibn Abi al-Dunya received much of his material, alongside Abu Ya'la al-Mawsili, Ibrahim ibn Abd Allah ibn al-Junayd, and Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Masruq al-Tusi .
Scholarly Standing and Death
Al-Barjalani was regarded as an authority in the collection of ascetic traditions and pious narratives. When a man inquired of Ahmad ibn Hanbal regarding reports on asceticism, Ahmad referred him to al-Barjalani, saying: "You should seek Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al-Barjalani" . When Ibrahim al-Harbi was asked about his reliability, he responded: "I know nothing of him but good" . Ibn Hibban recorded him in his work on trustworthy transmitters (al-Thiqat), noting his compilations of edifying anecdotes and heart-softening narrations .
As recorded by his student Ibn Abi al-Dunya, al-Barjalani died in 238 AH (852–853 CE) .
Answer updated
List of Works
al-Karam wal-Jud (also known as al-Karam wal-Jud wa-Sakhaʾ al-Nufus) is a 3rd-century AH work focusing on the virtues of generosity, openhandedness, and magnanimity. The book gathers narrations comprising prophetic traditions, statements from the Companions and early Muslim scholars, illustrative anecdotes of selfless giving, and poetic verses praising charity and condemning stinginess.
Min Hadith Ibn al-Askari 'an Shuyukhihi is a hadith part (juz') that gathers narrations received from various teachers. The collection opens with a narration concerning the supplication recited upon lying down in bed and concludes its final entry with the phrase kana wa-kana.