Ibn Rushd al-Jadd
- Died
- 520 AH
- Born in
- Cordoba
Abu al-Walid Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Rushd al-Qurtubi (450–520 AH / 1058–1126 CE), commonly known as Ibn Rushd al-Jadd ("the Grandfather"), was an Andalusian Maliki jurist and chief judge of Cordoba known for his authoritative legal compendia al-Bayan wa-al-Tahsil and al-Muqaddimat al-Mumahhidat .
Lineage and Early Life
Abu al-Walid Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ahmad ibn Rushd was born in Cordoba in Shawwal 450 AH (1058 CE; another report gives 455 AH) . He is designated with the epithet al-Jadd to distinguish him from his grandson, the philosopher and jurist Abu al-Walid Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Rushd (al-Hafid, or Averroes) .
Education and Career
He studied Maliki jurisprudence under Abu Ja'far Ahmad ibn Rizq, and transmitted hadith and legal texts from scholars including Abu Marwan ibn Siraj, Abu 'Ali al-Ghassani, Abu 'Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Faraj, and Muhammad ibn Khayrah . He also received a formal authorization to transmit (ijaza) from Abu al-'Abbas Ahmad ibn 'Umar ibn Dilhath al-'Udhri .
He was appointed chief judge (qadi al-jama'a) of Cordoba in 511 AH and served simultaneously as the leader of prayer (sahib al-salat) at its Great Mosque . He presided over the judiciary until he requested to be relieved of his post in 515 AH—reportedly in the aftermath of public unrest in the city—and his resignation was accepted . After leaving office, he dedicated himself to teaching, issuing legal responsa, and disseminating his writings . Students traveled to him from across al-Andalus, among them al-Qadi 'Iyad, Ibn Bashkuwal, Abu Marwan 'Abd al-Malik ibn Masarra, and Abu al-Hasan Sahl ibn Muhammad ibn Sahl ibn Malik .
Scholarly Standing
He was considered the foremost Maliki jurist of his era in al-Andalus and the western Islamic lands, particularly esteemed for his mastery of legal theory (usul), inheritance law (fara'id), and the resolution of difficult cases (nawazil) . Biographers noted that his analytical comprehension (diraya) exceeded his mere transmission of reports (riwaya) . Ibn Bashkuwal described him as having unmatched authority in legal fatwas and Maliki doctrine during his time, highlighting his piety, dignity, forbearance, and uprightness in judicial office . He was also noted for his personal devotion, reportedly observing fasting every Friday whether resident or traveling .
His major scholarly contribution includes al-Bayan wa-al-Tahsil, an extensive commentary spanning more than twenty volumes that provides legal rationales and evidence for Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-'Utbi's al-Mustakhraja . He also authored al-Muqaddimat al-Mumahhidat, which articulates the foundational principles, definitions, and proof-texts underpinning the topics of Sahnun's al-Mudawwana .
Death
He died in Cordoba on the night of Sunday, 11 Dhu al-Qi'da 520 AH (28 November 1126 CE), at the age of seventy . He was buried on Sunday afternoon in the cemetery of Ibn 'Abbas, and his funeral prayer was led by his son, Abu al-Qasim Ahmad .
Answer updated
List of Works
Masail Abi al-Walid Ibn Rushd is a collection of legal responsa and fatwas in the Maliki tradition. Rather than addressing theoretical or hypothetical constructs, the work primarily gathers practical rulings issued to resolve real legal cases and queries submitted by judges, scholars, and individuals.
al-Radd ala man dhahaba ila tashih ilm al-ghayb min jihat al-khatt is a theological and legal treatise refuting the claim that the unseen can be divined through sand lines or geomancy. Composed in response to an inquiry regarding drawing lines in the earth and casting lots to uncover hidden matters, the work addresses the practice's legal status, theological validity, and associated arguments.
al-Muqaddimat al-Mumahhidat is a Maliki legal treatise designed to provide theoretical foundations, scriptural evidence, and analytical introductions to the legal subjects treated in al-Mudawwana. Structured to supply methodological frameworks, it clarifies the underlying principles, definitions, and proof-texts for substantive legal topics.
al-Bayan wa al-Tahsil is an extensive Maliki legal encyclopedia that provides a commentary and systematic critical evaluation of Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Utbi's al-Mustakhraja min al-Asmi'a (al-Utbiyyah). The work harmonizes conflicting transmitted reports, establishes textual proofs, and provides legal rationales and contextual justifications for its rulings.