Ibn al-Sabbah al-Zafarani
- Died
- 260 AH
- Born in
- -
Ibn al-Sabbah al-Zafarani (d. 260 AH / 874 CE; another report gives 259 AH / 873 CE) was a Baghdadi jurist and hadith transmitter who studied under al-Shafi'i and served as the primary reader of his works in Baghdad.
Origin and Upbringing
His full name was Abu 'Ali al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn al-Sabbah al-Za'farani al-Bazzar. His nisba derives from al-Za'faraniyya, a village situated below Kalwadha near Baghdad, and not from the saffron trade. He resided in Baghdad on the western side of the city along an alley that came to be known after him as Darb al-Za'farani, which later housed the mosque associated with al-Shafi'i.
Studies and Transmissions
Al-Za'farani initially followed the legal tradition of the Iraqi jurists before adopting the legal methodology of al-Shafi'i. He became one of al-Shafi'i's principal companions and regular transmitters in Baghdad, routinely reading aloud texts such as al-Risala in gatherings attended by figures such as Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Abu Thawr. Beyond al-Shafi'i, he studied hadith under masters including Sufyan ibn 'Uyayna, Waki' ibn al-Jarrah, Yazid ibn Harun, Isma'il ibn 'Ulayya, Sa'id ibn Mansur, and 'Ali ibn al-Madini.
He taught widely and transmitted hadith to major compilers, with the canonical authors transmitting from him with the exception of Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. His students included al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and al-Nasa'i, as well as Ibn Khuzayma, Abu al-Qasim al-Baghawi, Abu 'Awana, and Muhammad ibn Makhlad.
Scholarly Standing
Al-Za'farani was praised for his linguistic mastery and reliability as a narrator. Ibn 'Abd al-Barr noted reports that none in his era surpassed him in eloquence and command of Arabic, which was why he was selected to read al-Shafi'i's writings before audiences. Leading authorities declared him trustworthy; al-Nasa'i described him as reliable (thiqa), Abu Hatim al-Razi termed him truthful (saduq), and Ibn al-Munadi counted him among the trustworthy authorities of western Baghdad. When asked about him, Ahmad ibn Hanbal remarked that he had heard nothing concerning him except good.
Death
Al-Za'farani died in 260 AH (874 CE), with accounts specifying either the final day of Sha'ban or the month of Ramadan; an alternative death date is given as 259 AH (873 CE).
Answer updated
List of Works
Musnad Bilal ibn Rabah is a short hadith compilation (juz') that collects narrations attributed to the Prophet transmitted through the Companion and muezzin Bilal ibn Rabah.