al-Husayn ibn Harb
- Died
- 246 AH
- Born in
- -
Abu Abd Allah al-Husayn ibn al-Hasan ibn Harb al-Sulami al-Marwazi (d. 246 AH / 860–861 CE) was a Khurasanian hadith scholar and traditionist based in Mecca, known for his close companionship with Abd Allah ibn al-Mubarak and his compilation on filial piety and kinship ties, Kitab al-Birr wa al-Silah.
Biography and scholarly pursuit
Originally from Merv (Marw) in Khurasan, al-Husayn ibn Harb was affiliated with the Banu Sulaym. He traveled extensively in pursuit of hadith before settling as a neighbor of the sanctuary (mujāwir) in Mecca, where he actively compiled and authored works. Al-Husayn was one of the foremost companions and transmitters of Abd Allah ibn al-Mubarak, receiving an extensive portion of traditions from him. He utilized these narrations alongside reports from other authorities to compile his dedicated thematic treatise Kitab al-Birr wa al-Silah (Piety and Maintaining Ties of Kinship). He also transmitted the Kitab al-Zuhd (Book of Renunciation) of Ahmad ibn Hanbal.
Among his prominent teachers were Sufyan ibn Uyaynah, Hushaym ibn Bashir, Mu'tamir ibn Sulayman, Yazid ibn Zuray', al-Walid ibn Muslim, and al-Fadl ibn Musa al-Sinani.
His traditions were received and transmitted by major compilers and scholars of the third century AH, including Abu Isa al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Baqi ibn Makhlad, Dawud al-Zahiri, Yahya ibn Sa'id, Umar ibn Bujayr, Ja'far ibn Ahmad ibn Faris, and Ibrahim ibn Abd al-Samad al-Hashimi.
Standing and death
Al-Husayn ibn Harb was regarded by hadith critics as a reliable and truthful traditionist. Abu Hatim al-Razi characterized him as truthful (ṣadūq), and Ibn Hibban included him among the trustworthy narrators in al-Thiqat. Al-Dhahabi described him as an imam, hadith master (ḥāfiẓ), and truthful scholar.
According to Ibn Hibban, al-Husayn ibn Harb died in 246 AH (860–861 CE), with al-Dhahabi noting that he lived into his eighties.
Answer updated
List of Works
al-Birr wa al-Silah (Piety and Maintaining Ties of Kinship) is a specialized hadith work dedicated to the virtues of filial piety and upholding family ties. Arranged thematically around prophetic traditions and statements of early Islamic figures, the collection focuses on Islamic ethics, social obligations, devotion to parents, and maintaining relations with kin.