Ahadith fi Fadl al-Iskandariyya wa Asqalan
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- Ahadith fi Fadl al-Iskandariyya wa Asqalan
Ahadith fi Fadl al-Iskandariyya wa Asqalan (Hadiths on the Merits of Alexandria and Ashkelon) is a specialized compilation of hadiths and historical reports concerning the virtues and spiritual merits of garrisoning the frontier cities of Alexandria and Ashkelon . In manuscript and bio-bibliographical records, the text is also titled Musnad al-Hafiz Uthman ibn al-Salah al-Athari fi Fada'il al-Iskandariyya fi ma Warada min al-Ahadith fi Fadl al-Iskandariyya wa Asqalan, attributed in transmission to the jurist Ibn al-Sabbagh (Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Umar ibn Abi Ishaq) and associated with Ibn al-Salah (d. 643 AH / 1245 CE) .
Attribution and Transmission
The opening isnad of the work traces the transmission from al-Sharif Abu Ismail Ibrahim ibn al-Hasan al-Juwayni al-Kulthumi via a written authorization (ijaza) from Egypt, who narrated from Abu al-Fath Abd Allah ibn al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Matar in Alexandria during the middle ten days of Jumada in 453 AH . Abu al-Fath related it directly from Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Umar ibn Abi Ishaq al-Faqih, known as Ibn al-Sabbagh . A manuscript copy of the treatise under the attribution to Ibn al-Salah is preserved in the Berlin State Library (MS 1389) .
Content and Scope
The treatise collects traditions, sayings of the Companions, Successors, and historical accounts centered on the religious excellence of frontier coastal outposts (ribat), detailing:
- Merits of Alexandria and Ashkelon: Narrations describing Alexandria and Ashkelon as "two brides" (arusani), with Alexandria being the greater of the two, destined on the Day of Resurrection to be escorted alongside their inhabitants to Jerusalem (Bayt al-Maqdis) . Other traditions mention Alexandria alongside outposts such as Qazvin, Caesarea (Qaysariyya), and Abadan as gates of Paradise .
- Virtues of Ribat: Traditions promising immense reward for undertaking garrison duty along the seacoast, ranging from three to forty days, protecting the frontiers, night guard duty (haras), and maintaining warhorses for military preparedness .
- Biblical and Eschatological Epithets: Reports attributed to figures such as Ka'b al-Ahbar stating that Alexandria is praised in earlier scriptures—designated as "al-Mudhhabah" in the Torah, "al-Bayda'" in the Psalms (Zabur), and "al-Khadra'" in the Gospel (Injil)—as well as its identification with Dhu al-Qarnayn and Iram of the Pillars (Iram Dhat al-Imad) .
- Historical Conquests and Governance: Historical reports outlining the early Islamic conquest of Alexandria by Amr ibn al-Aas during the caliphates of Umar ibn al-Khattab and Uthman ibn Affan, agreements with the Roman ruler al-Muqawqis, the suppression of the Roman revolt under Manuel, and subsequent garrisoning under the Umayyads .
- Topography and Observation: An appended eyewitness account by Abu Khuzaymah Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab recounting his journey from Khurasan to garrison Alexandria in Muharram 560 AH during the governorship of Ayyub al-Kurdi . The account details the military organization of 360 commanders, city gates (including Bab Muhammad and Bab al-Khadir), mosques, madrasas, and ancient monuments such as the Pharos lighthouse with its legendary mirror .
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