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Muhammad ibn Matar al-Zahrani

Died
1427 AH
Born in
-

Muhammad ibn Matar al-Zahrani (d. 1427 AH / 2006 CE) was a Saudi hadith scholar and researcher based in Medina, known for his academic studies on the history and documentation of hadith literature.

Biography and Scholarship

His full name was Abu Yasir Muhammad ibn Matar ibn Uthman Al Matar al-Zahrani. He pursued his graduate education in hadith sciences at the Islamic University of Madinah. For his master's thesis, he edited the biographical work al-Sabiq wa-l-Lahiq by al-Khatib al-Baghdadi. He subsequently completed his doctoral dissertation at the same university with a critical edition of al-Khatib al-Baghdadi's treatise on textual interpolations in transmission, al-Fasl li-l-Wasl al-Mudraj fi al-Naql.

In addition to editing classical manuscripts, al-Zahrani researched the historiography of hadith documentation, authoring Tadwin al-Sunna al-Nabawiyya: Nashʾatuhu wa-Tatawwuruhu min al-Qarn al-Awwal ila Nihayat al-Qarn al-Tasi al-Hijri (The Recording of the Prophetic Sunna: Its Origin and Development from the First to the End of the Ninth Hijri Century), which traces compilation methods across nine centuries.

He died in 1427 AH (2006 CE).

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List of Works

  • Min Hady al-Salaf fi Talab al-Ilm

    Min Hady al-Salaf fi Talab al-Ilm (From the Guidance of the Predecessors in Seeking Knowledge) is a treatise examining the methodology, etiquette, and study curriculum followed by the early Muslim predecessors (al-salaf al-salih) in acquiring Islamic knowledge. Drawing from classical reports, it gathers and systematically arranges guidelines to provide students with a clear, practical educational program.

  • Safahat Mushriqa min Hayat al-Salaf - Sufyan al-Thawri

    Safahat Mushriqa min Hayat al-Salaf - Sufyan al-Thawri (Bright Pages from the Life of the Early Predecessors: Sufyan al-Thawri) is a biographical monograph detailing the life, virtues, scholarship, and religious methodology of the eighth-century hadith master Sufyan al-Thawri. The work presents al-Thawri as a model among early scholars in diligent learning, worship, asceticism, and adherence to orthodox creed and tradition.

  • Min Alam Ahl al-Sunna wa al-Jamaa Abd Allah ibn al-Mubarak

    Min A‘lam Ahl al-Sunna wa al-Jama‘ah: ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mubarak (From the Prominent Figures of Ahl al-Sunna wa al-Jama‘ah: ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mubarak) is a biographical treatise examining the life, theological stance, hadith scholarship, and military legacy of the early traditionist and ascetic Abd Allah ibn al-Mubarak (118–181 AH / 736–797 CE). It explores his contributions to Sunni creed and learning methodology alongside actionable lessons for readers.

  • Tadwin al-Sunna al-Nabawiyya Nashatuhu wa Tatawwuruhu min al-Qarn al-Awwal ila Nihayat al-Qarn al-Tasi al-Hijri

    Tadwin al-Sunna al-Nabawiyya: Nashʾatuhu wa-Tatawwuruhu min al-Qarn al-Awwal ila Nihayat al-Qarn al-Tasiʿ al-Hijri (The Recording of the Prophetic Sunna: Its Origin and Development from the First to the End of the Ninth Hijri Century) is a specialized historical study tracing the documentation and compilation of Hadith across nine centuries. Structured as a reference and textbook, it surveys compilation methods, major collections, and evolving genres from early notes to comprehensive late compendia.

  • Ilm al-Rijal Nashatuhu wa Tatawwuruhu min al-Qarn al-Awwal ila Nihayat al-Qarn al-Tasi

    Ilm al-Rijal: Nash’atuhu wa-Tatawwuruhu min al-Qarn al-Awwal ila Nihayat al-Qarn al-Tasi’ (The Science of Narrators: Its Emergence and Development from the First Century to the End of the Ninth Century AH) is a specialized survey of hadith biographical literature and narrator criticism. Designed as an academic textbook, it tracks the historical development of narrator-focused genres, chains of transmission, and biographical evaluations across nine centuries.