Ibn Zaydan

Abdullah ibn Zaydan (222–313 AH / 837–925 CE) was a Kufan hadith scholar, Quran reciter, and ascetic, best known as the compiler of Musnad Ibn Zaydan Irshad al-Qasi wa al-Dani…+1.

Name and Background

His full lineage is Abu Muhammad Abdullah ibn Zaydan ibn Burayd ibn Razin (also recorded as Zurr) ibn Rabi' ibn Qatan ibn Hilal al-Bajali al-Kufi Rijal al-Hakim fi al-Must…+1. Some narrators, such as the hadith scholar Abu Bakr al-Ji'abi, referred to him by patronymic directly to his grandfather as Abdullah ibn Burayd Talkhis al-Mutashabih fi …. He was born in 222 AH (837 CE) and had a brother named Muhammad ibn Zaydan who also transmitted hadith Irshad al-Qasi wa al-Dani…+1.

Education and Transmissions

Based in Kufa, he received hadith from prominent scholars of his era, including Abu Kurayb Muhammad ibn al-Ala, Hannad ibn al-Sari, Muhammad ibn Tarif, Muhammad ibn Ubayd al-Muharibi, Ibrahim ibn Yusuf al-Sayrafi, and Hamzah ibn Awn al-Mas'udi Irshad al-Qasi wa al-Dani…+1.

A large number of scholars transmitted hadith from him, including virtually all active traditionists of Kufa in his time, as well as traveling scholars such as al-Tabarani, Yusuf ibn al-Qasim al-Miyanaji, Abu Bakr ibn al-Muqri, and Abu Ahmad al-Hakim Talkhis al-Mutashabih fi …+1. He also compiled a hadith corpus known as Musnad Ibn Zaydan, for which Ibn Nuqta identified him as Sahib al-Musnad ("author of the Musnad") Irshad al-Qasi wa al-Dani…. Ibn al-Jazari also listed him among the ranks of Quranic reciters Irshad al-Qasi wa al-Dani….

Standing and Devotion

Ibn Zaydan was widely praised for his trustworthiness and ascetic piety. Al-Daraqutni declared him and his father trustworthy Kufans, and Ibn Makula described him as a famous trustworthy narrator Mawsuat Aqwal Abi al-Hasa…+1. Al-Dhahabi characterized him as an imam, an exemplar, and a devout worshipper Siyar Aalam al-Nubala.

The hadith scholar Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Hammad related that Ibn Zaydan was an authoritative proof (hujja), habitually silent, and noted: "My eyes have not seen the like of him" Irshad al-Qasi wa al-Dani…+1. He was described as maintaining an upright creed and adherence to the mainstream community, dedicated to night vigils, and reportedly spent around sixty years without ever lying down on a padded mattress Irshad al-Qasi wa al-Dani…+1. Most of his utterance between sitting and standing was the supplication: يا مقلب القلوب ثبت قلبي على طاعتك ("O Turner of hearts, make my heart firm upon Your obedience") Siyar Aalam al-Nubala.

Death

Ibn Zaydan died at midday on Friday, 13 Rabi' al-Awwal 313 AH (925 CE), at the age of ninety-one Irshad al-Qasi wa al-Dani…+1. A vast assembly of people attended his funeral Siyar Aalam al-Nubala.