Ibn Asakir
- Died
- 636 AH
- Born in
- -
Abu Abd Allah Ibn Askar (c. 584–636 AH / c. 1188–1239 CE) was an Andalusian Maliki jurist, traditionist, and judge of Malaga, best known for initiating the biographical dictionary A'lam Malaqa.
Early life and education
His full name was Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Khidr ibn Harun al-Ghassani, and his family traced its origin to a village to the west of Malaga. His birth was estimated to have taken place around 584 AH (1188 CE). He studied under a number of prominent Andalusian scholars, including Abu al-Hajjaj ibn al-Shaykh, Abu al-Khattab ibn Wajib, Abu Sulayman ibn Hawt Allah, Abu Ali al-Rundi, and Abu al-Qasim al-Malahi, in addition to receiving authorizations (ijazahs) from scholars in the Islamic East.
Career and judicial office
Ibn Askar became one of the foremost legal authorities of Malaga, where the issuance of fatwas centered around him and local judges regularly deferred to his legal opinions and notarial expertise. He served as judge of Malaga on two separate occasions: first as a deputy under Qadi Abu Abd Allah ibn al-Hasan during the period of Abu Abd Allah ibn Hud, and later independently when appointed by the Nasrid ruler Abu Abd Allah ibn Nasr on Saturday, 28 Ramadan 635 AH (with another report stating two nights remaining of Ramadan). Apprehensive about the office, he wept, refused, and wrote to the amir asking to be relieved out of religious scrupulousness, but the ruler did not grant his request, and he remained in the post.
Scholarly contributions and transmission
In addition to jurisprudence and notarial documentation, Ibn Askar was versed in Arabic grammar, Quranic recitation, and hadith transmission. He began compiling A'lam Malaqa (The Notables of Malaga), an alphabetical biographical dictionary documenting the scholars, jurists, and literary figures associated with the city; after his death left the project unfinished, it was completed by his nephew Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Khamis. He also authored al-Mashra' al-rawi fi al-ziyadah 'ala gharibay al-Harawi, expanding on rare scriptural and traditional vocabulary. Among those who transmitted from him was the historian Ibn al-Abbar, who obtained an authorization in Ibn Askar's own handwriting through Abu Bakr ibn Abi al-Uyun.
Death
Ibn Askar died while holding the judgeship of Malaga at midday on Wednesday, 4 Jumada al-Akhirah 636 AH (January 1239 CE). His funeral was widely attended by the public, and poets of the city composed elegies in his honor.
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List of Works
A'lam Malaqa ("The Notables of Malaga") is an Andalusian local biographical dictionary documenting the scholars, jurists, literati, and rulers associated with Malaga, including figures who settled in, entered, or passed through the city. Arranged alphabetically by proper name, the entries record accounts of their scholarly careers, literary achievements, eloquence, correspondence, and transmission chains from Andalusian and external teachers.