Biographical Overview
Ibn Abi Hatim (240 - 327 AH = 854 - 938 AD)
Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad Abu Hatim ibn Idris ibn al-Mundhir al-Tamimi al-Hanzali al-Razi, Abu Muhammad.
• A Hafiz (master scholar) of Hadith, and one of their preeminent figures.
• His residence was in Darb Hanzala in Rayy, to which his ascription (nisba) refers.
He authored several works, including:
• Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil (Disparagement and Validation) – published; eight volumes of it exist.
• Al-Tafsir (Exegesis) – several volumes; two parts of it are in manuscript form [now published].
• Al-Radd 'ala al-Jahmiyya (The Refutation of the Jahmiyya) – a large work.
• 'Ilal al-Hadith (The Defects of Hadith) – published; two parts.
• Al-Musnad – a large work.
• Al-Kuna (The Kunyas).
• Al-Fawa'id al-Kubra (The Great Benefits).
• Al-Marasil (The Disconnected Hadiths) – published.
• Taqdimat al-Ma'rifa bi Kitab al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil (Introduction to the Knowledge of the Book of Disparagement and Validation) – manuscript; located in Dar al-Kutub (90, Mustalah).
• Zuhd al-Thamaniyya min al-Tabi'in (The Asceticism of the Eight of the Successors) – manuscript; located in al-Zahiriyya.
• Adab al-Shafi'i wa Manaqibuhu (The Virtues and Merits of al-Shafi'i) – published.
• Bayan Khata' Abi 'Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari fi Tarikhihi (An Exposition of the Error of Abu 'Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari in his History) – published (1).
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(1) Tadhkirat al-Huffaz 3:46; Fawat al-Wafayat 1:260; Tabaqat al-Hanabila 2:55; Al-Maqsad al-Arshad (manuscript). In the latter, his death is noted as the year 329 AH. Also cited in Makhtutat al-Zahiriyya 277; Al-Fihris al-Tamhidi 377; Mu'jam al-Matbu'at 28; Al-Khizana al-Taymuriyya 2:304; and Al-Makhtutat al-Musawwara, al-Tarikh 2, Section Four, 118.
Translated from: 'Al-A'lam' by al-Zirikli [with additions in brackets].