AbuBakr Lineages

Abdel-Rahman Ibn Al-Jawzi ⁽¹⁾: The Hanbali muhaddith (transmitter of hadiths), exegetist, historian, and preacher, Abu Al-Faraj Jamaluddin Abdel-Rahman Bin Abi Al-Hasan Ali Bin Muhammad Bin Ali Bin Ubaydullah Bin Abdullah Bin Hummadi Bin Ahmed Bin Muhammad Bin Ja’far Bin Abdullah Bin Al-Qasim Bin Al-Nadhr Bin Al-Qasim Bin Muhammad Bin Abdullah Bin Abdel-Rahman Bin Al-Qasim Bin Muhammad Bin Abi Bakr Al-Siddiq of Baghdad, was from the tribe of Taym, a sub-clan of the tribe of Quraysh, and a descendant of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq more commonly known as Ibn Al-Jawzi.

Ibn Al-Jawzi is thought to have been born in 508 AH, although some sources place his birth in either 510 or 514 AH. He was a distinguished scholar who gained prominence in many branches of knowledge, outshining the other scholars of his generation. He authored approximately three hundred works, both major and minor, writing about 200 manuscripts in his own hand. He surpassed all others at the art of preaching with his influential style and the unique format of his lectures, which were well known for his eloquent use of speech, his expressiveness, and the charm and beauty of his words as he delved into semantics with his exquisite explanations of unfamiliar matters, using concise language that could be easily absorbed and understood. Ibn Al-Jawzi had great success as a preacher, enjoying widespread fame as kings, ministers, and prominent imams attended his lectures, which were attended by thousands of people—with reports saying some of these lectures witnessed as many as 100,000 attendees.

Ibn Al-Jawzi was an extremely sharp-witted man with good intuition and a perceptive mind. One of many incidents demonstrating his intelligence occurred when a dispute took place in Baghdad between the Sunnis and the Shi’ites, and he managed to leave everyone content with the answer he provided to a question posed to him during one of his lectures, which was: Who is the best human being to have lived after our Prophet Muhammad, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him and his family?

Ibn Al-Jawzi replied: “His daughter was under his care,” immediately leaving so that he could not be asked anything further regarding the matter.

Everyone was content with this response, as the daughter of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was the wife of Allah’s Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him and his family), while the daughter of Allah’s Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him and his family) was the wife of Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), thus making the answer appropriate for both sides.

According to Ibn Al-Jawzi, he was thirteen years old when he began writing and compiling.

Among Ibn Al-Jawzi’s works of tafsir (exegesis of the Qur’an) were: Al-Mughni, Tadhkirat Al-Arib fi Ma’rifat Al-Gharib, Nuzhat Al-‘Uyun Al-Nawadhir fi Al-Wujuh wa Al-Nadha’ir, ‘Umdat Al-Rasikh fi Ma’rifat Al-Mansukh wa Al-Nasikh, and Zad Al-Masir fi ‘Ilm Al-Tafsir, while his works on tawhid (monotheism) and ‘ilm al-kalam (discourse) included: Daf’ Shubah Al-Tashbih and Minhaj Al-Wusul ila ‘Ilm Al-Usul. His works on the science of hadith were: Jami’ Al-Masanid, Ghurar Al-Athar, Al-Mawdu’at, and Al-‘Ilal Al-Mutanahia fil-Ahadith Al-Wahia. He also authored works on jurisprudence, history, the art of preaching, and the science of narration.

In Ibn Al-Jawzi’s famous will, it is reported that he said ⁽²⁾:

O Son, know that we are of the descendants of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) and our father Al-Qasim Bin Muhammad Bin Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). After that, our ancestors became preoccupied with trade and (the business of) buying and selling, so it happened that I was the only person from subsequent generations blessed with a passion for seeking knowledge. The matter is now in your hands, so work hard so that you do not disappoint me regarding my hopes in you and for you. I have left you to Almighty Allah, Glory be to Him, and I ask Him to grant you success in knowledge and deed. This is the best thing I can say to you in my will. There is no strength or power except with Almighty Allah the Great, all praise is due to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon Sayyiduna Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.

Ibn Al-Jawzi died on a Thursday night, on 12 Ramadan 597 AH (1201 AD), and was buried the next day in Bab Harb next to his father, close to Imam Ahmed Bin Hanbal. He was 87 years old at the time of his death. People carried his bier over their heads amidst the large crowds who followed the funeral procession. It was a memorable day on which it was reported that many people broke their fasts due to the tremendous crowds and extreme heat.

Abu Al-Muthafar, the maternal grandson of Ibn Al-Jawzi, said: My grandfather requested in his will for his tomb to be inscribed with the following words ⁽³⁾:

O Thou whose forgiveness is vast,

O Thou who is acquainted with my myriad sins:

The sinner has come before you, hoping to be absolved of his wrongdoings.

I am but a guest, and a guest is to be treated kindly.

 

Source: Kitab Al-Sulala Al-Bakria As-Siddiqia – Part II, by Ahmed Farghal Al-De’abassi Al-Bakri

Date of Publication

1 Ramadan 1438 AH / May 26, 2017 AD

(1) Nawasikh Al-Qur’an, by Ibn Al-Jawzi 1/ 8 and 47, Sayd Al-Khatir 1/ 9, Tarikh Al-Islam, Tadmouri Ed. 42/ 287, Al-Bidaya Wal Nihaya, Dar Al-Fikr Ed. 13/ 28, Wafayat Al-Ayan 3/ 140, Tabaqat Al-Hufath, by Al-Dhahabi 4/ 92, Siyar A’lam Al-Nubala’, Al-Hadith Ed. 15/ 455, Al-Mausu’ah Al-Sufia pp. 110-112, Al-Wafi Belwafiat 18/ 110, Sullam Al-Wusul ila Tabaqat Al-Fuhul 2/ 256, Shatharat al-Thahab Fi Akhbar Min Dahab 6/ 537-540, Al-Takmila li Wafayat Al-Naqala 1/ 394-395, Mu’jam Al-Mu’allifin 5/ 157, Al-Kuna wa Al-Alqab 1/ 297-298, Zad Al-Masir fi ‘Ilm Al-Tafsir: Tarjamat Ibn Al-Jawzi 1/ 7-8

(2) Sayd Al-Khatir 1/ 514

(3) Al-Bidaya Wal Nihaya, Hijr Ed. 16/ 710, Sayd Al-Khatir 1/ 19, Al-Wafi Belwafiat 18/ 114, Dhayl Tabaqat Al-Hanabilah 2/ 512, Al-Maqsad Al-Arshad 2/ 98