Who is Abu al-Abbas Al-Qurtubi?
Abu al-Abbas Al-Qurtubi, born Ahmad ibn Omar ibn Ibrahim ibn Omar Al-Ansari Al-Maliki in Cordoba, Andalusia in the year 578 AH, is renowned for his concise work on the two authentic hadith collections, Sahih Muslim and Sahih Al-Bukhari. He is particularly noted for his commentary on Sahih Muslim, titled “Al-Mufhim.”
As noted by Ibn Farhun, Abu al-Abbas gained the title “Dhiya al-Din” and was also known by the nickname “Ibn al-Muzayn.” He belonged to the Maliki school of thought. Although he was born in Cordoba, he left Andalusia at a young age, accompanying his father to cities such as Fez and Tlemcen, and later traveled to Alexandria, and then to Medina and Mecca, ultimately reaching Jerusalem.
Abu al-Abbas Al-Qurtubi’s Travels and Education
Abu al-Abbas is recognized as a traveler who sought knowledge from a young age, moving from place to place to learn through both listening and observing. He attained high ranks among scholars and taught in various cities, including Cordoba, Fez, and Tlemcen. His education in Andalusia was under the tutelage of Sheikh Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Hafs Al-Yahsubi.
Al-Qurtubi later traveled to the East, specifically to Tunisia, with the intention of pilgrimage, passing through Egypt. However, he hesitated due to the ongoing conflict in Damietta and postponed his journey until the situation stabilized. While resting in a mosque, he dreamt that he was greeting the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in his mosque next to the pulpit. This dream reassured him regarding the war, prompting him to resume his pilgrimage plans.
After thirty days, Al-Qurtubi reached Alexandria, where he learned that the enemy’s control over Damietta had ended after ten days. He then continued his journey to the Holy House, visiting the Prophet’s grave and mosque, which appeared exactly as he had envisioned in his dream.
Key Information About Abu al-Abbas Al-Qurtubi
Abu al-Abbas Al-Qurtubi was known for his deep passion for religious and Arabic sciences, poetry, jurisprudence, and grammar. He was also recognized as one of the esteemed scholars of the Quran. Below are some notable points about Al-Qurtubi:
- He lived under the guidance of his father until his passing in 627 AH.
- Al-Qurtubi was noted for his humility and modest lifestyle. Although he maintained a respectable appearance without extravagance, he worked in pottery and ceramics alongside his studies, given the prevalence of these crafts at the time.
- He witnessed the fall of Andalusia and remained there until he traveled East to further his education, eventually moving to Egypt, where he learned from numerous scholars.
- Many historians testify to Al-Qurtubi’s piety and virtuous qualities, with Ibn Farhun remarking that “he was among the righteous servants of God, knowledgeable scholars, and ascetics who turned away from worldly pleasures and focused on matters of the Hereafter.”
- His writings often lamented the corruption and distancing from religion, highlighting the prevalence of prohibitions and neglect of obligatory acts, indicative of his ascetic view of worldly life and belief in the Hereafter.
- Al-Qurtubi exhibited courage in confronting injustice and was bold in speaking the truth, which stemmed from his confidence in his knowledge and culture.
- His life was characterized by seriousness and dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and reading, away from luxury and comfort; translators noted, “His time was filled with devotion, worship, and scholarship.”
- Among his many works, the most notable are “Al-Tadhkira fi Ahwal Al-Mawat” (The Remembrance of the State of the Dead and Matters of the Afterlife), “Al-Tadhkar fi Afdal Al-Azhkar” (The Reminder of the Best Remembrances), and “Al-Asna fi Sharh Asma Allah Al-Husna wa Safatuhu Al-Ulya.”
Teachers of Imam Al-Qurtubi and Key Works
Imam Al-Qurtubi received guidance from a number of distinguished scholars, including:
- Imam Al-Muhaddith Abu Muhammad Abdul Wahhab ibn Rawaj, known as Ibn Rawaj, who passed away in 648 AH.
- Alim Bahaa al-Din Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Hebat Allah ibn Salama, a Shafi’i scholar known as Ibn Al-Jumayzi, who died in 664 AH.
- Alim Diyaa al-Din Ahmad ibn Omar ibn Ibrahim Al-Maliki Al-Qurtubi, author of “Al-Mufhim fi Sharh Sahih Muslim,” who passed away in 656 AH.
- Imam Al-Hasan Al-Bakri, known as Al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn Amr Al-Taymi Al-Naysaburi, who died in 656 AH.