In Firhist Asma al–Musanifin min al–Shi’ah ...

In Firhist Asma al–Musanifin min al–Shi’ah , al–Najashi states: “Abu Rafi, a retainer of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and his Household, wrote Kitab al–Sunan wa al–Ahkam wa al–Qadaya ” and mentioned his chain of transmission of each subject including prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, zakat (alms) and judgements. Al–Najashi says that Abu Rafi’ embraced Islam early in Mecca, migrated to Medina and was often in the Prophet’s company.

After the demise of the Prophet Abu Rafi’ attached himself to the Commander of the Faithful, being among the best of his supporters. He also participated in the battles with him and served as his treasurer in Kufa. Al–Najashi mentions other details about him. Abu Rafi’ died in 35 A. H., as reported by Ibn Hajar in Al–Taqrib , considering only the reports which say that he died in the early days of Ali’s rule as right.

This shows that it is unanimously agreed upon that he was not preceded by anyone in compiling the hadith and arranging it into chapters, for those described as pioneers in the field belong to the second century. Al–Suyuti testifies to this fact in his Tadrib and relates on the authority of Ibn Hajar’s Fath al–Bari that the first to compile the hadith was Ibn Shihab al–Zuhri by order of Umar ibn Abdilaziz.

In that case, it must have taken place towards the end of the first century because Umar’s rule started in 98 or 99 A. H. and he died in 101A. H. Nevertheless, we have some reservations about what Ibn Hajar says, as pointed out in the original version of this book. Section Two: The First Persons to Compile Similar Hadiths under One Topic Among the , the first persons to compile similar hadiths under one topic and one chapter were the Shi’ah.

They are Abu Abdillah Salman al–Farisi and Abu Dharr al–Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with them) as stated by Rashid al–Din ibn Shahrashub in his Ma’alim Ulama al–Shi’ah. While listing the names of Shi’i authors Sheikh Abu Ja’far al–Tusi and Sheikh Abu Abbas al–Najashi mention in their books a book by Salman and another by Abu Dharr and traced their chains of transmission. The title of Salman’s book is Kitab Hadith al–Jathliq and that of Abu Dharr’s is Kitab al–Khutbah.

In his book, the latter explained the events that happened after the Prophet, blessing and peace of Allah be on him and his Household.