The Mujtahid Imam Al-Tabari The Prince Of Scholars by: Mohamad Yasin Owadally

n the ninth century (sixth Century Hijri), Islamic learning was at its peak.  Muslim scholars and scientists excelled in their learning and achievements in different fields. Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Jarir at-Tabari, may Allah be pleased with him, surpassed them all.

Learned in hadith literature, he also studied many other subjects to further his knowledge of the Holy Qur’an and the religion of Islam.  During the end of his days, he was known as a muffassir, (commentator) on the Holy Qur’an, an expert in Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), and as a famous historian. He was also the author of many books; the most famous of them was his Tafsir of the Holy Qur’an and the other was his encyclopaedia on Islamic history.

Imam al-Tabari, may Allah be pleased with him, was born in the city of Amul, in Tabaristan, a mountainous region lying south of the Caspian Sea in the year 839.  Imam al-Tabari died at the age of 85 in the year 923.

This book is a short biography, of the great Imam and scholar, who was a prolific author, and sufi practitioner.