Abu Zaid al-Qayrawani
Abd Allah Abu Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman Abu Zaid al-Qayrawani was born in the city of Kairouan, Tunisia, in the year 310 AH (Hijri). He is recognized as one of the prominent jurists and scholars in the Maghreb region. He is often referred to as “Malik the Younger” due to his leadership within the Maliki school of thought, one of the four Sunni Islamic jurisprudential schools. Al-Qayrawani passed away in 386 AH, at the age of seventy-six, and was laid to rest in his home in Kairouan. This article seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of Abu Zaid al-Qayrawani.
Teachers and Students of Abu Zaid al-Qayrawani
Al-Qayrawani was educated by some of the most distinguished scholars of his time, including Muhammad ibn Masrur al-Hajjaj, al-Assal, Abu Said al-A’rabi, and Muhammad ibn al-Fatih, among others. As his reputation grew, many students of knowledge began to flock to Kairouan to study under him, drawn by his esteemed position in academia and his wide-ranging fame. Notable students of his include Abu al-Qasim Khalaf ibn Abu al-Qasim al-Azdi, renowned for his book “Al-Tahdhib” and a well-known figure in the preservation of the Maliki doctrine; and Abu Bakr Ahmad al-Qayrawani, who was considered the chief jurist in Kairouan during his era. Additionally, several scholars from Al-Andalus, such as Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Yahya ibn Ahmad al-Tamimi and Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Wahb al-Qurtubi, known as al-Maqbari, also benefited from his teachings.
The Significance of Abu Zaid al-Qayrawani
Al-Qayrawani is regarded as one of the leading jurists of the Maliki school, serving as its imam during his time. He was distinguished for his ability to consolidate teachings and clarify the expressions of the school. His skills in memorization, extensive narration, and eloquent speech further contributed to his esteemed status among scholars, with many testifying to his advanced knowledge. One scholar remarked, “He was the imam of the Malikis of his time and their role model, a unifier of the Maliki doctrine and interpreter of its teachings. His vast knowledge and impressive memorization and narration are evident in his written works which have filled the land.” Additionally, al-Hajwi noted in his book “Al-Fikr al-Sami” that al-Qayrawani belongs to the elite ranks of authors who are deserving of the prophetic tradition stating, “God will send to this Ummah at the head of every hundred years someone to renew its religion.”
Works of Abu Zaid al-Qayrawani
Al-Qayrawani authored a substantial number of books and treatises covering various topics such as jurisprudence, principles of monotheism, and responses to those who oppose the Sunnah. His works are estimated at around forty distinct titles, categorized as follows:
- Major Books: Among the most notable are:
- The Risala (Treatise).
- Tahdhib al-‘Utaibiya.
- Following the People of Medina.
- Exegesis of Prayer Times.
- On the Virtue of Ramadan Prayer and I’tikaf.
- The Oddities and Additions.
- Notable Letters: Key letters include:
- Letter on Allocating Relatives a Share of Zakat.
- On the Principles of Monotheism.
- To the People of Sijilmassa on the Recitation of the Quran.
- On Prohibition of Contention.
- On Refuting the Qadariyya and Countering the Letter of the Baghdadi Mu’tazili.
- Good Counsel for the Upright.
- Other Works: Numerous additional writings are preserved in manuscript form within libraries in Europe, Morocco, and Turkey.