Evidence for the fact that al-Kafi had finished before he...

Evidence for the fact that al-Kafi had finished before he went to Baghdad is that even though he lived at the time of the Four Deputies of Imam al-Mahdi (PBUH), he did not narrate any hadith directly from them [10] . Personality of Shaykh al-Kulayni In the books of biography, the merits and virtues of Shaykh al-Kulayni are mentioned by all his advocates and critics.

Concerning his fame, both the Shia and Sunni scholars referred to his rulings in Jurisprudence [Fiqh] and titled him Thiqat al-Islam. For instance, al-Shaykh al-Tusi wrote about him, in his book of Rijal thus: “Muhammad ibn Ya’qub al-Kulayni with the kunya of Abu Ja’far al-A’war, was a great scholar, especially in hadith. He has some written works mentioned in al-Kafi.” [11] In another instance, he described al-Kulayni as reliable (thiqa) and knowledgeable in narrations [12] .

Similarly, another Shia scholar and biographer, Al-Najashi said about Shaykh al-Kulayni thus: “In his time, he [al-Kulayni] was the leader of Shia in Rey and the most reliable among them in hadiths and recording them. He compiled his great book named al-Kafi in 20 years.” [13] Sayyid ibn Tawus mentioned that all scholars approved of the reliability and trustworthiness of Shaykh al-Kulayni.

Other Shia scholars such as Ibn Shahrashub [14] , ‘Allama al-Hilli [15] , Ibn Dawud al-Hilli [16] , al-Tafrishi [17] , al-Ardabili [18] , and Sayyid Abu l-Qasim al-Khoei [19] have also approved al-Shaykh al-Tusi and al-Najashi’s statements [20] . Interestingly, apart from the Shia scholars, some Sunni scholars have mentioned the merits and virtues of Shaykh al-Kulayni. For instance, Ibn Athir, the Sunni historian counted Shaykh al-Kulayni among the great Twelver Shia scholars [21] .

Likewise, Al-Dhahabi mentioned Shaykh al-Kulayni as a Shia shaykh and Twlever Shia scholar who had several written works [22] . Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani and Ibn Makula say: “He [Shaykh al-Kulayni] is among Shia jurists and authors.” [23] Ibn ‘Asakir in his book Tārīkh Madīna Dimashq has described Shaykh al-Kulayni as having great merits [24] .

Teachers of Shaykh al-Kulayni According to reliable historical reports, nearly 50 scholars and teachers have been identified who instructed al-Kulayni, contributed to his education, and transmitted hadiths to him. His most influential teacher was Ali ibn Ibrahim al-Qummi, author of Tafsir Qummi who has been mentioned in the chain of transmitters of more than 7068 hadiths in al-Kafi [25] .