al-Dinuri
- Died
- 333 AH
- Born in
- -
Abu Bakr al-Dinuri (d. 333 AH / 944–945 CE) was a Maliki jurist, judge, and hadith transmitter based in Egypt, best known for his encyclopedic compilation al-Mujalasa wa-Jawahir al-Ilm ("The Scholarly Assembly and the Jewels of Knowledge").
Lineage and Education
His full name was Ahmad ibn Marwan ibn Muhammad, and he held the kunya Abu Bakr. His nisba refers to the city of Dinawar in the Jibal region near Qirmisin.
Al-Dinuri studied under numerous prominent scholars, becoming one of the most prolific transmitters of the works of Ibn Qutayba. His teachers also included Ibn Abi al-Dunya, al-Harith ibn Abi Usama, Ibrahim al-Harbi, Abu Qilaba al-Raqashi, and al-Abbas ibn Muhammad al-Duri.
Judicial Career and Travels
Al-Dinuri traveled to Aleppo, where he transmitted hadith in 302 AH, before settling in Egypt and narrating the works of Ibn Qutayba. He was appointed judge over Aswan, serving there for many years, and held the judgeship of al-Qulzum. When Abu Ja'far Ahmad ibn Abd Allah ibn Muslim ibn Qutayba was appointed chief judge of Egypt and initially hesitated to confirm his appointment over Aswan—claiming not to recognize him among his father's students—al-Dinuri sent him identifying childhood memories of him playing barefoot with pigeons, whereupon Ibn Qutayba validated his appointment.
Those who transmitted from him included Abu Bakr al-Abhari, Ibrahim ibn Ali al-Tammar, and al-Hasan ibn Isma'il al-Darrab. In addition to al-Mujalasa, he authored a polemical treatise titled al-Radd 'ala al-Shafi'i ("Refutation of al-Shafi'i").
Scholarly Standing
Al-Dinuri was described by al-Dhahabi as a jurist and hadith scholar well versed in the Maliki school. Maslama ibn Qasim regarded him as trustworthy (thiqa) and prolific in transmission. In contrast, al-Daraqutni declared him weak and accused him of fabricating hadith, specifically criticizing an isnad he transmitted through Isma'il ibn Ishaq, though other authorities accepted and passed his reports.
Death
Al-Dinuri died in Egypt in 333 AH (944–945 CE) according to Maslama. Another report, recorded by Ibn Farhun, places his death in Safar 298 AH (910 CE) at the age of eighty-four.
Answer updated
List of Works
Al-Mujalasa wa Jawahir al-Ilm (The Scholarly Assembly and the Jewels of Knowledge) is an encyclopedic compilation of Prophetic traditions, historical reports, legal maxims, and literary anecdotes. Organized into parts that record scholarly sessions, the work incorporates chains of transmission tracing back to the Prophet, the Companions, and notable early authorities, covering ethical exhortations, moral wisdom, biographical accounts, and legal rulings.