Introduction to Imam Ibn Hibban
Imam Muhammad ibn Hibban ibn Ahmad ibn Hibban ibn Mu’adh ibn Ma’bad al-Tamimi, commonly known as Abu Hatim al-Busti, holds a significant place among renowned scholars and hadith narrators. Nicknamed Ibn Hibban, he was prolific in his contributions to the field of hadith literature. Born in Bist, a region of Sijistan, in the year 273 AH, Ibn Hibban journeyed across various lands in pursuit of knowledge. This quest allowed him to acquire extensive understanding from esteemed scholars and teachers during his travels. He returned to his hometown, where he eventually passed away in the year 354 AH. Among his notable works are “Al-Masnad Al-Sahih,” “Rawdat al-Aqla,” “Al-Anwa’a wa Al-Taqasīm,” which encompasses the contents of the six canonical books without their chains of narration, along with “Al-Thiqaat,” “Al-‘Ilal wa Awham As’hab al-Tawariikh,” as well as writings on companions and successors of the Prophet.
Prominent Students of Ibn Hibban
A multitude of scholars sought knowledge under the tutelage of Imam Ibn Hibban, gaining invaluable insights. The following are some of his most notable students:
Al-Hakim Al-Nisaburi
Al-Hakim, whose full name is Al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn Yazid ibn Dawood, known as Abu Ali and recognized as Al-Hakim Al-Nisaburi, was born in Nishapur in 277 AH. He is renowned for his mastery in preserving hadith and studied under Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abdullah Al-Nisaburi. Al-Hakim traveled extensively to regions such as Baghdad, Isfahan, the Levant, Basra, Mosul, among others, acquiring vast knowledge from numerous scholars. He authored several significant texts in hadith literature and passed away in Nishapur in 349 AH.
Al-Daraqutni
Ali ibn Umar ibn Ahmad ibn Mahdi, known as Abu Al-Hasan and referred to as Al-Daraqutni, was born in one of Baghdad’s neighborhoods known as “Dar Qutn” in 306 AH. He was a leading authority of his time in hadith studies, having also made pioneering contributions in the field of Quranic readings. His works include “Al-Sunan wa Al-‘Ilal” concerning hadith, “Al-Mujtabā min Al-Sunan,” as well as distinguished texts on authentic and weak narrations, among others. Al-Daraqutni traveled to various regions and played a vital role in assisting Ibn Khanzabah with his compilation “Wazīr Kafūr al-Ikhshidhi.” He was known for his intelligence and commendable reading abilities. Al-Daraqutni passed away in Baghdad in 385 AH.
Ibn Manda
Imam Muhammad ibn Ishaq ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya ibn Manda Al-Abdi Al-Isbahani, commonly known as Abu Abdullah and referred to as Ibn Manda, was born in Isfahan and is recognized as a trustworthy hadith narrator. He authored “Tārīkh Isfahan,” and his surname originates from his grandfather, Ibrahim ibn Al-Walid. Ibn Manda passed away in 301 AH.
Hamid Al-Khattabi
Hamid Al-Khattabi, whose full name is Hamid ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Al-Khattab Al-Busti Al-Khattabi Ash-Shafi’i, was also known as Abu Sulayman. He was born in Bist in 319 AH and was a jurist and hadith scholar with multiple works to his name, including “Ma’alim al-Sunan,” “Bayān I’jāz al-Qur’an,” corrections of hadith narrators’ errors, “Gharīb al-Hadith,” a critique of hadith errors, commentary on Bukhari, and interpretations of authentic hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari, among others. He passed away in Bist in 388 AH.