Biographical Overview
Ibn Jarir al-Tabari (224 – 310 AH = 839 – 923 CE)
Abu Ja'far, Muhammad ibn Jarir ibn Yazid al-Tabari:
The historian, Quranic exegete (mufassir), and Imam.
He was born in Amul, Tabaristan, settled in Baghdad, and passed away there.
He was offered the position of judge (al-Qada') but declined, and the tribunal of grievances (al-Mazalim) but refused.
He is among the most trustworthy historians. Ibn al-Athir said: "Abu Ja'far is the most reliable narrator of history, and his Quranic commentary indicates vast knowledge and rigorous research."
He was an independent jurist (mujtahid) regarding religious rulings who did not blindly follow anyone; rather, some people followed his methodology and acted upon his rulings and opinions.
He was dark-skinned, had large expressive eyes, a slender build, and was eloquent.
Among his works:
• (Akhbar al-Rusul wa-l-Muluk – published), known as Tarikh al-Tabari (History of al-Tabari), in 11 volumes.
• (Jami' al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an – published), known as Tafsir al-Tabari, in 30 volumes.
• (Ikhtilaf al-Fuqaha' – published) [Differences of the Jurists].
• (Al-Mustarshid) on religious sciences.
• (Juz' fi al-I'tiqad – published) [Treatise on Creed].
• (Al-Qira'at) [The Recitations].
And others (1).
(1) Footnote:
Irshad al-Arib 6:423, Tadhkirat al-Huffaz 2:351, Wafayat al-A'yan 1:456, Tabaqat al-Subki 2:135-140, Miftah al-Sa'adah 1:205 & 415 and 2:176, Al-Bidayah wa-al-Nihayah 11:145, Siyar A'lam al-Nubala' – manuscript (17th edition), Ghayat al-Nihayah 2:106, Mizan al-I'tidal 3:35, Ibn al-Shihnah: Events of the year 310 AH (in which it states: "After his death, they accused him of Rafd (Shi'ite bias) because he authored a book on the differences of opinion among scholars and omitted the school of Ahmad ibn Hanbal, stating: 'Ahmad was not a jurist (faqih); he was merely a hadith scholar (muhaddith)'"), Lisan al-Mizan 5:100, Tarikh Baghdad 2:162, Byzance et les Arabes by Vasiliev p. 242, Kashf al-Zunun p. 437.
Quoted from: "Al-A'lam" by al-Zirikli