Try Qaf

Ibn Hadida

Died
783 AH
Born in
Jerusalem

Jamal al-Din Ibn Hadida (721–783 AH / 1321–1381 CE) was a Jerusalemite-born historian and Hadith scholar based in Cairo, best known for his biographical study of the Prophet Muhammad's scribes and diplomatic emissaries.

Life and Career

His full name was Abu Abd Allah Jamal al-Din Muhammad—given in some sources as Abd Allah—ibn Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn Hasan al-Ansari al-Khazraji al-Maqdisi. His lineage traces back to Banu Hadida, a clan of the Ansar, as noted by al-Murtada al-Zabidi.

Born in 721 AH (1321 CE), Ibn Hadida was originally from Jerusalem and subsequently settled in Cairo. In Cairo, he engaged extensively in the study of Hadith, copying scholarly fascicles (ajza') and recording audition certificates (tibaq). He also held the post of librarian (khazin al-kutub) at the Salahiyya Sufi lodge (al-Khanqah al-Salahiyya) in Cairo.

Scholarly Contribution

Ibn Hadida is primarily known for his historical compilation al-Misbah al-Mudi fi Kitab al-Nabi al-Ummi wa Rusulihi ila Muluk al-Ard min Arabi wa Ajami ("The Illuminating Lamp Regarding the Scribes of the Unlettered Prophet and His Emissaries to the Kings of the Earth, Arab and Non-Arab"), completed in Egypt in Dhu al-Qi'dah 779 AH. Drawing upon numerous collections and divergent transmission chains, the book documents the letters dispatched by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to contemporary rulers, details the biographies of the Companions who transcribed his correspondence, and records the envoys sent across Arabia and foreign realms.

Death

Ibn Hadida died in 783 AH (1381 CE), though other biographical accounts place his death in 779 AH or shortly thereafter.

Answer updated

List of Works