Who is Asad ibn al-Furat?
Asad ibn al-Furat ibn Sinan, known as Abu Abdullah, was the judge of Kairouan. He received knowledge and lessons from the esteemed scholar Malik ibn Anas, may Allah have mercy on him. He hails from Nishapur and was born in the year 142 AH in the city of Harran in the Levant. His father served as a commander of armies in the Maghreb region. Asad was both a judge and a scholar, having studied hadith and historical narratives under leading Tunisian scholars after relocating there.
What was Asad ibn al-Furat’s profession?
At the age of two, Asad ibn al-Furat arrived in the Kairouan region in the year 144 AH, where he was appointed by the leader Ziyadat Allah ibn Ibrahim al-Aghlab as a judge for all of Africa. He resolved disputes according to the Quran and the Sunnah, fighting against any religious innovations and opposing those who propagated them. As a result, he became a leading figure among the scholars of Iraq in Kairouan, recognized for his virtue, knowledge, and adherence to religion.
Who were the teachers of Asad ibn al-Furat?
Asad ibn al-Furat was fortunate to learn from numerous esteemed teachers, including:
- Abdullah ibn Wahb ibn Muslim al-Fihri.
- Abu Said Yahya ibn Zakariya al-Hammani.
- Abu Abdullah Malik ibn Anas ibn Malik.
- Jarir ibn Abdul Hamid ibn Jarir al-Razi.
Who were the students of Asad ibn al-Furat?
Among those who studied under him were:
- Ahmad ibn Musa ibn Jarir al-Azdiy al-Attar.
- Abu Said Abdul Salam Sahnun al-Tanukhi.
- Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Hamid al-Tamimi Abu al-Fadl.
How did his academic journey begin?
Asad ibn al-Furat memorized the Quran at a young age and was the first to introduce the Maliki school of thought to the Maghreb, revitalizing it with knowledge and study day and night. In the year 172 AH, he traveled to the east, aiming to learn from Imam Malik ibn Anas, meeting the followers of Abu Hanifa in Iraq, where he gained knowledge directly from them. He studied the Muwatta of Malik ibn Anas firsthand, spending considerable time with him, as the Imam was in his eighties. Asad’s reputation continued to grow, especially through his association with Abdul Rahman ibn al-Qasim.
Where did Asad ibn al-Furat complete his studies?
Asad ibn al-Furat continued his studies in Tunisia, benefiting from Ali ibn Ziyad al-Absi. He was the first to synthesize the methodologies of the scholars of hadith from Medina and another school from Baghdad known for its reasoning. One significant outcome of Asad’s relationship with ibn al-Qasim was the creation of a substantial work called Al-Asadiyyah, primarily attributed to ibn al-Qasim’s scholarship. This comprehensive book gathered sixty texts he learned from ibn al-Qasim and utilized his contributions for its compilation. Notably, Asad ibn al-Furat is regarded as the founding figure of the Kairouanian jurisprudence school. He embarked on a quest for knowledge in the east in 172 AH, and years later, he was appointed as the judge of Kairouan in 204 AH.
How did Asad ibn al-Furat combat religious innovations?
Asad ibn al-Furat was determined to confront all forms of religious innovations and their originators. As a staunch proponent of Sunni beliefs, he disseminated Islamic principles and traditions wherever he traveled, extending even beyond Africa, which is currently known as Tunisia.
When did Asad ibn al-Furat pass away?
Asad ibn al-Furat passed away in the city of Siracusa in 213 AH after sustaining injuries during the siege of the city. He was laid to rest in Qusriyana. His forces triumphed over the Byzantines in battle, leading them to seek peace negotiations. As the fighting intensified, the Romans expressed a desire to assist Asad’s army, but he resolutely declined aid from non-believers. The Muslims besieged Siracusa from all sides, facing the ravages of disease and hunger during that period. Following the martyrdom of Asad ibn al-Furat, Muhammad ibn Abi al-Jawari took command of the Muslim forces, attempting to withdraw with the remnants of his army after enduring significant losses.