Biographical Overview
Ibn Abi Zamanin (324 – 399 AH = 936 – 1008 CE).
Muhammad ibn Abd Allah ibn Isa al-Marri, Abu Abd Allah, known as Ibn Abi Zamanin. A Maliki jurist and one of the literary preachers. He was a native of Elvira; he resided in Córdoba, then returned to Elvira, where he passed away. When asked, 'Why are you called the sons of Abi Zamanin?' he replied, 'I do not know.'
He authored numerous books on jurisprudence and sermons, including:
• Usul al-Sunnah (The Foundations of the Sunnah) [Manuscript, printed].
• Muntakhab al-Ahkam (Selected Rulings) [Manuscript, printed].
• Tafsir al-Qur'an (Exegesis of the Qur'an) [Manuscript], located at the Al-Qarawiyyin Library (Number 40/34), which he abridged from the exegesis of Yahya ibn Salam al-Taymi, transcribed in the year 611 [printed].
• Al-Maghrib, a summary and commentary on the problematic aspects of the Mudawwanah, on jurisprudence.
• Hayat al-Qulub (The Life of Hearts), on asceticism.
• Al-Nasa'ih al-Manzuma (Poetic Advice), containing his poetry.
• Adab al-Islam (The Etiquette of Islam).
• Al-Muhadhdhab, an abridgment of Ibn Muzayn's commentary on the Muwatta'.
• Al-Mushtamil, on the science of legal documentation (watha'iq).
Sources: Tarikh 'Ulama' al-Andalus by Ibn al-Fardi 2:80; Al-Dibaj al-Mudhahhab 269; Al-Wafi bi-al-Wafiyyat 2:321; Jadhwat al-Muqtabis 53; see also Brockelmann 1:205, S 1:335; Tadhkirat al-Nawadir 20; Barnamaj al-Qarawiyyin 24; Tartib al-Madarik [Manuscript], Volume Two; and Munjazat wa-Ahdaf 55.
Cited from: 'Al-A'lam' by al-Zirikli [with additions in brackets].