Musnad Khalifa ibn Khayyat
- Author died
- 240 AH
- Editions
- Mu'assasat al-Risalah
Musnad Khalifa ibn Khayyat (Musnad Khalīfa ibn Khayyāṭ) is an early hadith collection compiled by the Basran traditionist, historian, and genealogist Khalifa ibn Khayyat (d. 240 AH / 854 CE).
Author and Context
The author was Abu 'Amr Khalifa ibn Khayyat ibn Khalifa al-'Usfuri al-Tamimi, widely known by the sobriquet Shabab. Based in Basra, he is celebrated primarily as the author of early surviving historical and biographical compilations, notably al-Tarikh and Kitab al-Tabaqat. He transmitted traditions from scholars such as Sufyan ibn 'Uyayna, Yazid ibn Zuray', and Abu Dawud al-Tayalisi, while major figures of the next generation—including Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari, Abu Ya'la al-Mawsili, Baqi ibn Makhlad, and Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal—narrated from him. His death occurred in 240 AH (854 CE), though other reports mention 230 AH or 246 AH.
Early Transmission and Historical Reception
The work is attested in early biographical and hadith-critical literature as a distinct compilation of narrated reports. It featured directly in discussions regarding the critical standing of Khalifa ibn Khayyat among hadith evaluators. Abu Hatim al-Razi stated that he personally transcribed three traditions from the Musnad attributed to the transmitter Abu al-Walid; when Abu Hatim later questioned Abu al-Walid about them, the latter initially denied knowing them, but his anger subsided once he learned they were recorded in the book of Shabab al-'Usfuri. Later biographical authorities, such as Ibn 'Adi, maintained that Khalifa was an alert and upright narrator (saduq) despite occasional reservations expressed by some critics.
Modern Publication
A portion of the work and its surviving narrations were collected, edited, and published by the contemporary scholar Akram Diya' al-'Umari, appearing in Beirut in 1405 AH (1985 CE).
Answer updated