In Al–Rawdah fi Ahwal al–Ulama wa al–Sadat ...

In Al–Rawdah fi Ahwal al–Ulama wa al–Sadat , Sayyid Khwansari relates from the third volume of Abu Hatim’s Kitab al–Zina that, during the time of the Holy Prophet, the title al–shi’ah was attributed to four : Salman al–Farisi, Abu Dharr al–Ghifari, Miqdad ibn al–Aswad al–Kindi and Ammar ibn Yasir. Kashf al–Zunun mentions Kitab al–Zina by Abu Hatim Sahl ibn Muhammad al–Sajistani who died in 205.

Section Three: The First Among the Tabi’is to Compile the Hadith These people wrote during the same period so it is unclear as to who preceded the others in this field. They are: Ali ibn Abi Rafi’, a companion of the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, and his treasurer and secretary. In his book on the names of Shi’ah writers under the first category where he mentioned Ali ibn Abi Rafi’, al–Najashi says: “He was a tabi’i and an excellent Shi’ah.

He enjoyed the company of the Commander of the Faithful and was his scribe. He memorized a great deal and compiled a book on different topics of jurisprudence like ritual ablutions, prayer and so on.” Then he retraced the chain of transmission of the book. Ali’s brother Ubaydullah ibn Abi Rafi’, a scribe of the Commander of the Faithful (‘a), had a book titled Q adaya Amir al–Muminin ( a.

s ) and a book listing the names of the who accompanied him in the battles of the Camel, Siffin and Nahrawan as recorded in the Fihrist of Sheikh Abu Jafar al–Tusi (may his soul be sanctified). Ibn Hajar says in his Taqrib : “He was Ali’s scribe and confidant.” Asbagh ibn Nabatah al–Majashi’i, a close companion of Ali (peace be on him) lived long after him. He related the covenant which Ali (‘a) had written to Malik Ashtar.

Al–Najashi observes “It is a well-known book.” Asbagh also related Imam Ali’s testament to his son Muhammad ibn al–Hanafiyah. Sheikh Abu Ja’far al–Tusi says in his Fihrist that Asbagh wrote Kitab Maqtal al–Husayn ibn Ali ( a.s ), as related by Al–Duri. Sulaym ibn Qays al–Hilali, Abu Sadiq, was a companion of the Commander of the Faithful (‘a). He wrote a magnificent book in which he narrated from Ali, Salman al–Farisi, Abu Dharr, Miqdad, Ammar ibn Yasir and a group of prominent companions.