Biographical Overview
Biography of the Author
Name: Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Qudama ibn Miqdam ibn Nasr ibn Abdullah.
Lineage: Al-Maqdisi, then Al-Dimashqi, Al-Salihi.
Al-Maqdisi: Referring to Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem); he was born in the village of 'Jamma'il' in the district of Nablus, Palestine.
Al-Dimashqi: Due to his family's migration to Damascus and their settling at the 'foot of Mount Qasioun'.
Al-Salihi: Referring to the 'Al-Salihiyya district' in Damascus, which was established by the Maqdisiyyun (people of Jerusalem).
Kunya (Patronymic): Abu Muhammad.
Title: Muwaffaq al-Din. He is known as 'Ibn Qudama', and if the term 'al-Shaykh' (the Shaykh) is mentioned among the Hanbalis, he is the one intended.
Birth: He was born in the year 541 AH in Jamma'il.
His Teachers: He traveled to Baghdad at the age of twenty, where he accompanied Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani and studied under him and others. Among his most prominent teachers were:
1. Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (d. 561 AH).
2. Abu al-Fath ibn al-Batti.
3. Ibn al-Jawzi.
4. Shuhda al-Katiba bint al-Ibari.
5. Al-Mubarak ibn al-Tabbakh.
His Students: People flocked to him, and his status was exalted. Among the most famous of those who studied under him were:
1. His nephew: Shams al-Din Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Qudama (author of Al-Sharh al-Kabir).
2. Al-Diya' al-Maqdisi (author of Al-Mukhtara).
3. Al-Mundhiri (author of Al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib).
4. Ibn Khalil al-Hafiz.
5. Al-Jamal ibn al-Sayrafi.
His Scholarly Works: He was an ocean of knowledge, and he authored works in jurisprudence (fiqh), hadith, creed (i'tiqad), and spiritual refinement (raqa'iq), including:
1. 'Al-Mughni': On comparative jurisprudence, one of the most magnificent books of Islam. Al-'Izz ibn 'Abd al-Salam said of it: "My heart did not feel at ease issuing legal opinions until I possessed a copy of Al-Mughni."
2. 'Al-Kafi': On Hanbali jurisprudence.
3. 'Al-Muqni'': Which has numerous commentaries and marginalia.
4. 'Al-'Umda': For beginners.
5. 'Rawdat al-Nazir wa Jannat al-Munazir': On the principles of jurisprudence (usul al-fiqh).
6. 'Lum'at al-I'tiqad al-Hadi ila Sabil al-Rashad': On creed.
7. 'Dhamm al-Ta'wil': In refutation of the theologians (mutakallimin).
8. 'Al-Tibyan fi Ansab al-Qurashiyyin'.
Statements About Him: Al-Dhahabi said of him in 'Siyar A'lam al-Nubala':
"He was an imam in knowledge, a commander of good and a forbidder of evil, and he reached the pinnacle in knowledge of the [Hanbali] madhhab... And there was no one in his time, after Shaykh Abd al-Qadir, more ascetic or more learned in jurisprudence than him."
Ibn Taymiyyah said:
"No one entered the Levant after al-Awza'i more learned in jurisprudence than Shaykh al-Muwaffaq."
Al-Hafiz al-Diya' said: God had gathered for him the knowledge of jurisprudence, inheritance laws (fara'id), and grammar, along with asceticism, good deeds, and fulfilling the needs of the people.
His Merits and Attributes:
1. Asceticism and Humility: He was humble and of fine character, living the life of an ascetic despite his widespread fame.
2. Jihad: He witnessed the liberation of Jerusalem with Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi, marching with the army while the scholars were gathered around him.
3. Dedication to Knowledge: He would study and teach throughout his day, rarely wasting time except in worship or scholarly pursuit.
Death: He died on Saturday, the day of Eid al-Fitr, in the year 620 AH. The funeral prayer was held for him at the Muzaffari Mosque at the foot of Mount Qasioun, and he was followed by a countless number of people.
Biographical Sources:
'Siyar A'lam al-Nubala' by al-Dhahabi (22/166).
'Dhayl Tabaqat al-Hanabila' by Ibn Rajab (2/52).
'Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya' by Ibn Kathir (17/117).