Great Contribution of Shi’ites to the Quranic Sciences
The first person to write on Qur’anic jurisprudence was Muhammad bin Sa’ib al-Kalabi who was a companion of Imam Muhammad Baqir(A.S.). Ibn-un-Nadim counted him among the books written in this connection, a book Ahkam-ul-Quran written by Al-Kalabi. According to his statement he reported from Ibn Abbas. An-Nadim evidently means Muhammad bin Sa’ib and not his son Hisham because it was the former who was a contemporary of Ibn Abbas and reported from him. As-Suyuti has said in Al-Awa’il,”The first one to write anything on this subject (ahkam-ul-Quran) was Imam Shafi’i”. Again according to his own version, Imam Shafi’i died in 204 A.H. when he was 54 years old. This means that Muhammad bin Sa’ib was his senior because he died in 146 A.H. Had Ibn-un-Nadim meant by Al-Kalabi as Hisham, As-Suyuti’s statement would not have been correct even in this case because Hisham also died in the same year as Shafi’i i..e 204 A.H. As to Muhammad Bin Sa’ib being a Shi’ite, almost all the exegetists admit this fact. He died in 146 A.H.
Shi’ite Authors on the Quranic Jurisprudence (Ahkam-ul-Quran)
The first person to write on this subject was Muhammad bin Sa’ib al-Kalabi who
was a companion of Imam Muhammad Baqir(A.S.). Ibn-un-Nadim counted him among the
books written in this connection, a book Ahkam-ul-Quran written by Al-Kalabi.
According to his statement he reported from Ibn Abbas. An-Nadim evidently means
Muhammad bin Sa’ib and not his son Hisham because it was the former who was a
contemporary of Ibn Abbas and reported from him.
As-Suyuti has said in Al-Awa’il,"The first one to write anything on this subject
(ahkam-ul-Quran) was Imam Shafi’i". Again according to his own version, Imam
Shafi’i died in 204 A.H. when he was 54 years old. This means that Muhammad bin
Sa’ib was his senior because he died in 146 A.H. Had Ibn-un-Nadim meant by Al-Kalabi
as Hisham, As-Suyuti’s statement would not have been correct even in this case
because Hisham also died in the same year as Shafi’i i..e 204 A.H. As to
Muhammad Bin Sa’ib being a Shi’ite, almost all the exegetists admit this fact.
He died in 146 A.H. Among others from the Shi’ites who wrote about
Ahkam-ul-Quran wera the following:
1.’Ibad bin Abbas, the father of Sahib bin ‘Ibad. Ibn-un-Nadim has written in
his Al-Fahrist, in connection with the life of his son that Ibad was a scholarly
person and wrote a book on Ahkam, supporting the ideas of the Mu’tazilites.
"This view is based upon a very common mistake of the writers to mix up Shi’ism
with the Mu’tazilite creed, as has been the case with Sahib bin ‘Ibad and Sayyid
Murtada and others. He died during the fourth century.
2. Qutb-ud-Din Sa’id bin Hibat Ullah Rawandi wrote books on Ahkam and
Fiqh-ul-Quran, which might have been one and the same thing. He died in 573 A.H.
3.Miqdad bin Abdullah Sayyuri wrote a book on this subject titled Kanzul ‘Irfan
Fi Fiqh-il-Quran. He died in 792 A.H.
4. Mullah Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Ardbili who wrote Zubdatil Bayan Fi
Fiqh-il-Quran, died in 993 A.H.
5. Shaikh Jawad bin Sa’d Ullah al-Kazimi wrote Masalik-ul-’ Afham fi Sharahe
Ayat-al-Ahkam. He died during the eleventh century.
6. Mirza Sayyid Muhammad bin Ali bin Ibrahim Astarabadi was a well-known
biographer and also wrote a book in explanation Ayat-ul-Ahkam. He died 1026 A.H.
7. Shaikh Ahmad bin Isma’il an-Najafi wrote a book on this subject titled as
Qala’id-ul-’Iqyan fi Fiqh-il-Quran. He died in 1151 A.H.
Shi’ite Authors Writing On The Ambiguous (Mutashabihat) Verses Of The Holy Quran
Among such authors is Hamza bin Habit Zayyat al-Kufi who is counted among the
seven reciters of the Holy Quran. Ibn-un-Nadim has mentioned his book on
Mutashabihat in the Quran. He died in 156 A.H.
According to Suyuti’s statement in Al-Itqan, the foremost in this field was Al-Kisa’i,
who died in 182 A.H. Sharif Razi also wrote on this subject. His book "Haqa’iq-ut-Ta’wil
Fi Mutashabihit Tanzil" has been mentioned by Ibn Shahr Ashub in Al-Ma’alim.
According to another version, its name is Haqa’iq ut-Tanzil Wa Daqa’iq-ut-Ta’wil.
This book was completed in 406 A.H. Sharif Radi wrote another book under the
title "Al-Muhkam Wal Mutashabeh" which was completed in 433 A.H. Muhammad bin
Ahmad al-Wazir also wrote a book under the title Mutashabihil Quran. He died in
433 A.H. Rashid-ud-Din Muhammad bin Shahr Ashub Mazandrani also has a book on
this subject to his credit. It has been referred to in ‘Amalul Aamil. He died in
588 A.H.
Shi’ite Authors On Gharib ul-Quran
The pioneer in this field was Aban Bin Taghlab. Ash-Shaikh has referred to it in
Al-Fahrist and has said, "He wrote a book Al-Gharib fil Quran and documented it
with citations from poetry." An-Najashi has also referred to this book and has
mentioned his authorities too.As-Suyuti has said in Al-Awa’il, "The first one to
write a book on Gharib-ul-Quran was Abu ‘Ubaidah Mu’mir Ibn Al-Muthna. He
collected this information from the question which Nafe’ bin al-Azraq put to Ibn
Abbas." But the correct position is that it was Aban who took the lead in this
connection, because he died in 141 A.H. while Abu ‘Ubaidah died in 208 A.H. or
later. This means that Aban was senior to him at least by 67 years.It is
surprising that Suyuti should say this while he has written in Bughyatul Wi’at
that Aban bin Taghlab first wrote on this subject and died in 141 A.H.
Anyway, even if Abu ‘Ubaidah had the lead in this respect, he got his
information from the questions which Nafe’ Bin Al- Azraq put to Ibn Abbas.
Hence, the real source is Ibn Abbas and he was one of the prominent Shi’ites,
while Abu ‘Ubaid had belonged to the Kharjites of As-Saffuriyyah. This has been
supported by Al-Jahiz in Kitab-ul-Haywan. It seems that this was the reason why
he got his information from the questions of Nafe’. Aban died in 141 A.H.
Mufdil bin Salmah wrote Diya-ul-Qulub on this subject in twenty volumes. He died
during the third century. Abu Bakr Muhammad bin Hasan bin Darid, according to
Ibn-un-Nadim and Suyuti, began writing a book on Gharib-ul-Quran but he could
not finish it. He died in 321 A.H. Abul Hasan Ali bin Muhammad al-Adawi
Shamshati, has been mentioned by Najashi as having written a book on this
subject in addition to others. He died in the beginning of the fourth century.
Shi’ite authors on Causes of Revelation (Asbaab un-Nuzuul)
First one among them is Ibn Abbas. Ibn -un-Nadim has mentioned the books written
about the causes of revelation and afterwards has referred to the book written
by ‘Akramah through Ibn Abbas. He died in 67 A.H. According to Najashi, Muhammad
bin Khalid al-Barqi wrote Kitab-ut-Tanzil wat Ta’bir. He died by the end of the
second century. Ibrahim bin Muhammad bin Sa’id Thaqafi wrote a book about those
verses which were revealed in connection with Amirul Mu’minin Ali(A.S.). This
has been mentioned by Shaikh in Al-Fahrist and by An-Najashi. He died in 283
A.H.
Abdul Aziz bin Yahya al-Jaludi, according to An-Najashi, wrote a book about the
veses of the Holy Quran connected with Ali bin Abi Talib as well as
Kitab-ut-Tanzil which he based upon the reports of Ibn Abbas. He died in 330
A.H. Muhammad bin Abbas, who is known as Ibn-ul-Jahham, as An-Najashi has said,
wrote a book about those verses of the Holy Quran which were revealed in
connection with Ahlul Bayt(A.S.). He had a book of his in which he gave in those
verses which were connected with the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) and his family. He had
another book explaining those verses which were revealed in connection with the
Shi’ites and those about their enemies. He died during the fourth century.
Shi’ite Authors On "Naasikh and Mansukh"
The pioneer in this field was Abdur-Rahman al-Asamm al-Masma’i al-Basri. An-Najashi
has referred to his book Kitab-un-Nasikh Wal Mansukh and has also quoted his
authorities. He died in mid-second century. Next comes Abul Hasan Daram bin
Qabisah bin Nehshal bin Majma’ Tamimi Sarmi, who according to An-Najashi
compiled a book on the subject. He died in the late second century.
Ibn ul-Kalabi has been mentioned by Ibn un-Nadim as an author in this field
while counting the books written on this subject. It is evident that his
statement either refers to Muhammad bin Sa’id who died in 146 A.H. or his son
Hisham who died in 206 A.H. Hasan bin Ali Faddal also wrote a book on ‘Nasikh
and Mansukh’ according to An-Najashi. He died in 224 A.H. Similarly Ahmad bin
Muhammad bin Isa al-Ash’ari al-Qummi has been mentioned by An-Najashi as an
author of a similar book. He has also given his authorities. He died during the
third century.
It is said that according to Suyuti, the first person to write on this subject
was Abu ‘Ubaid al-Qasim bin Salam who died in 224 A.H. Although Al-Masma’i and
Ad-Darmi were senior to him and Ibn Faddal as well as Al-Ash’ari were his
contemporaries. Ali bin Ibrahim bin Hashim al-Qummi has been mentioned by Ash-Shaikh
in his An-Fahrist and An-Najashi as having written a book on Nasikh and Mansukh.
He died either in the late third century or the beginning of the fourth.
Muhammad bin Abbas, commonly known as Ibn Jahham is included in the Al-Fahrist
of Ash-Shaikh as a Writer of a book on the subject under discussion. He died
during the fourth century. According to An-Najashi, Abdul Aziz bin Yahya al-Jaludi
wrote a book on Nasikh and Mansukh on the basis of information from Ibn Abbas.
He died after 330 A.H.
Shi’ite Writers On The Parts of Holy Quran
Among them was Hamza bin Habib Zayyat who wrote Asba’-ul-Quran. He died in 156
A.H. similarly, Ali bin Hamza al-Kisa’i is also reported to have written such a
book. Ibn-un-Nadim has mentioned about of them while writing about the book
written on this subject. He died in 179 A.H.
Shi’ite Writers On The Number of Quranic Verses
Following authors in this field have been mentioned by Ibn un-Nadim in his Al-Fahrist:
a) Ibn Abbas who wrote abut the number of verses revealed in Madinah;
b) Hamze Zayyat who wrote Kitab-ul-’Adad;
c) Al-Kisa’i wrote two books, namely Kitab-ul-Adad and Kitab Ikhtilaf-al-’Adad.
Shi’ite Authors on The Meanings Of Holy Quran
In Al-Fahrist of Ibn-un-Nadim and Kashf-uz-Zunun, a mention has been made of the
books written about the ‘meaning’ of the Quran. It is evident that by meaning ,
that refer to different stories, tales, injunctions, preachings, illustrations
etc. which have occurred in the Holy Quran along with their explanation and
commentary. It therefore refers to an exegesis of the Holy Quran but from the
point of view of these particular aspects of meaning. It aims at such contents
which may be difficult to understand and which need explanation. The example of
such a work is Ma’anil Akhbar written by As-Saduq and mentioned by Ibn Nadim
among the books written on this subject. He has referred to about twenty
different books. Among these are:
a) Kitab-ur-Radd ‘ Ala Man Nafal Majaz Minal Quran:
b) Jawabat-ut-Quran;
c) Diya-ul-Qulub Fi Ma’anil Quran wa Gharibihi wa Mushkilihi;
d) Riyadat-ul-Alsinah Fi I’rab-il-Quran wa Ma’anihi;
e) Ma’anil Quran wa Tafsirihi wa Mushkilihi.
He guides in arriving at the real and fundamental meaning because all kinds of
transferred meanings, replies, strange expressions, difficult phrases etc. which
are found in the Holy Quran lead to a difficulty in understanding. We also come
to this conclusion from the fact that the author of Kashfuz Zunun mentions the
meanings of poetry and books written about it. His aim in doing this is to tell
about the various forms of poetry-eulogy, elegy, satire, lyrics, emotional
poetry etc.
It is therefore quite evident that when we talk about the ‘meanings’ of the Holy
Quran, we have this types of meaning in our mind. The author of Kashfuz Zunun
has mentioned one book written by Qatrab, among those dealing with the contents
of the Holy Quran and its connotative inferences. He says that the readers
depend on this book.’ This statement might have been given in relation to
reading and recitation only or different modes of recitation with reference to
different types of meaning.
He has also mentioned another book by Ibrahim bin As-Sariy and has said that his
couplets explained by As-Sairafiy. It indicates to that this book might be about
the explanation of verses in relation to their various levels of meaning. Hence,
it could be treated in both ways. Among the Shi’ite authors dealing with
meanings or contents of the Holy Quran is Aban bin Taghlab. Ibn-un-Nadim has
referred to him in his Al-Fahrist as one of the Shi’ite scholars, jurists and
traditionalists, and has said that he wrote a book about the finer shades of
meaning in the Quran. He died in 141 A.H.
Ibn-un-Nadim has also said about Ali bin Hamza al-Kisa’i that he wrote a book on
the subject. He died in either 189 or 182 or 183 A.H. Another Shi’ite author who
wrote a book on this subject is Muhammad bin Hasan bin Abi Sarah Rawasi. This is
supported by Bughyatul Wi’at as well as Al-Fahrist of Ibn Nadim. The latter has
mentioned his book among those written on the subject under reference and has
said it is reported and quoted up to this time. He died during the second
century.
Al-Fara’ Nahwi, whose full name is Yahya bin Ziyad Dailami al-Kufim, has been
admitted to be a Shi’ite according to the anthor of Riyad ul-’Ulama as well as
by Sayyid Mahdi Bahr-ul-Ulum Tabataba’i in his biographical dictionary. Ibn-un-Nadim
has mentioned him while writing about the authors on this subject and has said
that he wrote it Umar Bin Bakir. At another place Ibn Nadim says that it had
four volumes. Similarly Suyuti has said in Bughyatul Wi’at that Al-Fara’ wrote a
book on the meanings of the Holy Quran. He died in 207 A.H.
Muhammad bin Yazid al-Mubrad Nahwi is another author mentioned in Bughyatul
Wi’at who wrote a book on Ma’anil Quran. He died in 285 A.H. Muhammad bin Ahmad
Abul Fadl al-Ja’fi al- Kufi commonly known as Sabuni has been mentioned by An-Najashi
who has said that he wrote a book in which he explained the meanings of the Holy
Quran and named various kinds of its meanings. He died in 300 A.H.
Muhammad Bin al-Hasan Shaibani Shaikh-al- Mufid wrote a book titled
Nehj-ul-Bayan ‘Ann Kashfe Ma’anil Quran. He described sixty various kinds of
Quranic knowledge and dedicated it to Al-Musta-nsir Al-Abbasi. Sayyid Murtada
quotes from his book in his Kitab ul-Muhkam Wal Mutashabeh, as well as
Kitab-ush-Shi’ah and Funu’n-ul-Islam. As to Hasan bin Muhammad Shaibani, he was
probably his father. He died in the late fourth century. Sharif Razi Muhammad
bin al-Husain al-Muswi has been referred to in Ma’alim-ul-’Ulama’ as having
written a book in the subject which can hardly find a comparison. He died in 406
A.H.
Shi’ite Authors writing About Maqtuu’ And Mawsuul In The Holy Quran
Among such authors who wrote on the above-mentioned subject was Hamza bin Habib
Zayyat. Ibn-un-Nadim has him as an author while writing about the book on this
subject. He died in 156 A.H. Similarly Ali bin Hamza al-Kisa’i has been
mentioned among the authors on Maqtu’ and Mawsul of the Holy Quran, by Ibn-un-Nadim.
He died in 189A.H. Total number of books mentioned by Ibn-un-Nadim on this
subject is three, namely those written by Hamza bin Habib, Al-Kisa’i and
Abdullah bin Aamir al-Yahsabi. Out of these three, two are Shi’ites as mentioned
above.
Shi’ite Authors writing about the Waqf and Ibtidaa’ in the Holy Quran It is
evident that this topic is connected with the Maqtu’ and Mawsul; only the words
are changed. Writing about the books written on this subject, Ibn-un-Nadim has
mentioned the following authors:
a) Kitabl-Waqf Wal Ibtidaa’ by Hamza.
b) Kitabul-Waqf Wal Ibtida’ by Al-Farra’.
c) Kitabul-Waqf Wal-Ibtida’ by Ibn Sa’dan.
Writing a note on Ar-Rawasi, Ibn-un-Nadim has mentioned that he wrote two books
on this subject. These are:
a) Kitabul-Waqf Wal-Ibtida’ Al-Kabir.
b) Kitabul-Waqf Wal Ibtida’ As-Saghir.
An-Najashi has also testified that Ar-Rawasi wrote a book on the subject. All
these writers were Shi’ites.
Shi’ite Authors on I’raab-ul-Quran
Amon such writers, according to An-Najashi, was Muhammad bin al-Hasan bin Abi
Sarah Rawasi. He died en the second century. Qarrab bin Mustanir an-Nahwi also
wrote a book on Irab-ul-Quran. His being a Shi’ite has been mentioned in the
discussion on Grammarians. He died, in 206 A.H. Similarly another grammarian
Muhammad bin Yazid al-Mubrid Nahwi wrote a book on the subject. He died in 285
A.H. About Ibn Khaluyah al-Husain bin Ahmad, Ibn-Nadim says that he gave
complete I’rab of thrity chapters of the Quran in a book. He died in 370 A.H.
Use of Vowel Signs and Points in the Holy Quran
As-Suyuti has said in the book Al-Awa’il that the first person who put points in
the Holy Quran was Abul Aswad Du’ili who did it under the instructions of Abdul
Malik bin Marwan. It is also said that the pioneers in this field were Hasan al-Basri,
Yahya bin Ya’mar and Nar bin Asim al-Lithn. But the correct position is that
Abul Aswad Du’ili lived during the time Ziyad was the governor of Iraq. This has
been admitted by Ibn-un-Nadim in Al-Fahrist and Abul Barakat Abdur Rahman bin
Muhammad al-Anbari in Nazhatul Alba’ Fi Tabaqat il Udaba. As to Yahya Bin Ya’mar,
he was a pupil of Abul Aswad and was also a Shi’ite. Al-Fahrist of Ibn-un-Nadim
among the books written on this subject, one by Al-Khalil relating to the
placement of points. Ibn-un-Nadim then mentions the same book while writing
about his life. According to Al-Itqan, the first person to use Hamzat, Tashdid,
Ar-Room and Al-Ishman was Kahlil Nahwi. He was a Shi’ite as said earlier.
Shi’ite Authors Writing Quranic Dictionaries
Speaking about the books written as the Quran dictionaries. Ibn-un-Nadim
mentions those of Al-Farra’, Shaikh Fakhr-al-Din Tarihi and of Ibn Darid which
remain incomplete. Among them Shaikh Fakhr-al-Din died in 1085 A.H.
Shi’ite Writers on Miscellaneous Subjects in the Holy Quran
Among such writers is Al-Farra’ un-Nahwi. Ibn-in-Nadim Al-Fahrist and As-Suyuti
in Tabaqat say that he wrote two such books, namely, Al-Masadir Fil Quran and
Al-Jama’ Wat Tathniyah Fil Quran. He died in 207 A.H. Ibn al-Junaid wrote
Amthal-ul-Quran while Al-’Ayyashi produced Sujud-ul-Quran. Both of them have
been mentioned by Ibn-un-Nadim. An-Najashi has referred to a book
Nawadir-o-’Ilm-al-Quran written by Abul Hasan Nuhannad Bin Muhammad bin al-Harith
al-Harithi al-Khatib Basawh who died during hte fourth courth century.
Shaykh has mentioned in his Al-Fahrist two books written by Ahmad bin Muhammad
bin Khalid al-Barqi. These are: (i) Kitab-ul-Amthal and (ii) Kitab-ush-Shawahid
Min Kitab-illahe’Azza Wa Jalla. He died in 274 A.H. Ibn-un-Nadim has said about
Abu Bakr Muhammad bin Yahya bin al-Abbas Sawli that he began writing a book
titled Kitab-ush-Shamil Fi ‘Ilmul Quran, which he could not complete. This book
has been mentioned among exegesis. He died in 330 A.H. Abu Sa’id Muhammad bin
Ahmad al-Wazir wrote Intiza’at-ul-Quran which has been mentioned by Yaqut in Al-Mu’jam.
He died in 433 A.H.
Shi’ite Authors on Fadail-ul-Quran
Ibn-un-Nadim has discussed books written on distinctive features of the Holy
Quran and then has mentioned twelve books. He has counted among these the one
written by Ubayy Bin Ka’b al-Ansari and then has named others like this:"Ali bin
Ibrahim bin Hashim’s book Nawadir-ul-Quran. He was a Shi’ite. The book written
by Ali bin Hasan bin Faddal who was a Shi’ite. The book written by Abu Nasr al-Ayyashi
who was a Shi’ite." It might be evident from the above quoted statements that
the first person to write in this field was Ubayy because those who have been
mentioned along with him belong to the latter period. But Ali bin Ibrahim, Ibn
Faddal and Al-’Ayyashi wrote books which are connected with the exegesis of the
Holy Quran and are not particularly about the subject under discussion.
His statement implies this because none of the biographers and authors of
Ar-Rijal mentions them except those concerned with exegesis. As-Suyuti has said
that the first person to write a book in this field was Muhammad bin Idris
Shafi’i who died in 204, but the correct position is that the credit of being a
pioneer in this respect goes to Ubayy as you have already heardy heard. He died
in 30 A.H.
Another person who probably wrote such a book was Aban Bin Taghlab. An-Najashi
and Ash-Shaikh both have mentioned among the book written by him a book on the
above subject. They have also quoted his authorities. Probably what their
statement mean is that this book was on the distinctive features of the Holy
Quran, because that period, it was not a custom to write books about the
distinctive feature fo the Ahlul Bayt(A.S.), but the statement under reference
appears to be pointed out to a book written in praise of the Ahlul Bayt(A.S.).
Hasan bin Ali Hamza al-Bata’ini also wrote such a book which has been mentioned
by both Ash-Shaikh and An-Najashi. He died in late second century. Shaikh has
said in Al-Fahrist that Isma’il bin Mehran bin Abu Nasr Sukuni wrote a book
titled Thawab-ul-Quran. He died either in the late second century or early third
century.
An-Najashi has said about Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Sayyar al-Katib that he wrote a
book named Thawab-ul-Quran. He died in the third century. Similarly, Ash-Shaikh
has said about Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Khalid al-Barqi that he wrote a book
Thawab-ul-Quran as well as another named Fadl-o-Kitabat-al-Quran. According to
An- Najashi, he wrote a book Fadl-ul-Quran, which he based upon the reports and
information given by Ibn Battar. His death occurred in 274 A.H. Ibn-un-Nadim has
mentioned Muhammad bin Mas’ud Al-Ayyashi as having written a book
Fadail-ul-Quran. He died during the third century. According to An-Najashi, Abu
Ali Ahmad bin Muhammad bin ‘Ammar al-Kufi worte a similar book. He died in 346
A.H.
—
Source: Hasan al-Amin,The Shorter Shi’ite Encyclopaedia
