Question

Who was Imam ‘Ijli (rahimaullah)? If he has graded a narrator trustworthy, would his grading be accepted among scholars of Hadith?

Answer

Imam Abul Hasan, Ahmad Ibn ‘Abdillah Al-‘Ijli (rahimahullah), was a great Muhaddith of the past. He was born in the year 182 A.H. and passed away in the year 261 A.H.

He reported Hadith from: Hussain Al-Ju’fi, Shababah Ibn Sawwar, Muhammad Ibn Yusuf Al-Firyabi, and others (rahimahumullah).

Some of his students were: Salih ibn Ahmad (his son), Muhammad ibn Futays, Sa’id ibn Ishaq, and others (rahimahumullah).

(Siyar A’alamin Nubala, vol. 12, pgs. 505-507)

If he were to grade a narrator, his grading would indeed be considered. Imam Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has listed his name among those Muhaddithun whose statements regarding narrators [i.e., Jarh and Ta’dil] will be relied upon and considered.

(Dhikru Man Yu’tamadu Qawluhu fil Jarhi wat Ta’dil; Arba’u Rasail fi ‘Ulumil Hadith of Shaykh ‘Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah, pg. 193)

Note: The above is merely an answer to the question provided. One who is unqualified, should not seek to apply this and/or draw conclusions on related issues independently.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar