ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Kitab al-Ghayba: The Book of Occultation Preface by the Verifier About the Author His Name His full name is Abu[^1] Abdullah Muhammad bin Ibraheem bin Ja'far al-Katib al-Nu'mani al-Baghdadi.

He is known as Ibn Abu Zaynab.[^2] His Offspring An-Najashi said: “The vizier Abul Qassim al-Husayn bin Ali bin al-Husayn bin Ali bin Muhammad bin Yousuf al-Maghribi was the son of his (the author’s) daughter Fatima.” Praising Him An-Najashi said about him: “He is a sheikh (teacher) from among our companions.

He is great in position, noble in rank, loyal in faith and he has narrated many traditions.” Al-Mahoozi said: “He is praiseworthy, lofty and one of the sheikhs, who give permission (who evidence others’ knowledge or works).” Kahhala said: “He is an interpreter, a good speaker and a good theologist.” His Travels He traveled to Shiraz in 313 AH. Then he traveled to Baghdad. After that he traveled to Sham[^3] and taught in Tabariya in Jordan then he entered Damascus.

At the end of his age he traveled to Halab (in Syria), in which he narrated his book al-Ghayba (the Sacred Disappearance).[^4] His Teachers (Sheikhs) • Abul Abbas Ahmad bin Sa’eed bin Oqda al-Kufi, in Baghdad 327AH. • Abu Sulayman Ahmad bin Nasr bin Hawtha al-Bahili. • Abu Ali Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Ya’qoob bin Ammar al-Kufi, in Baghdad 327AH. • Abul Qassim al-Husayn bin Muhammad al-Bawari. • Salama bin Muhammad bin Isma’eel al-Arzaniy in Baghdad.

●Abul Harith Abdullah bin Abdul Melik bin Sahl at-Tabarani, in Tabariya. • Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Younus al-Mossiliy. • Abdul Wahid bin Abdullah bin Younus al-Mossiliy. • Ali bin Ahmad al-Bandaneeji. • Ali bin al-Husayn al-Mass’oodi, apparently in Qum. • Muhammad bin al-Husayn bin Muhammad bin Jumhoor al-Ammiy. • Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Ja’far al-Himyari. • Muhammad bin Abdullah bin al-Mo’ammar at-Tabarani, in Tabariya 333AH.

●Muhammad bin Uthman bin Allan ad-Duhni al-Baghdadi, in Damascus. • Abu Ali Muhammad bin Hammam bin Suhayl bin Bayzan al-Katib al-Iskafi, in Baghdad 327AH. • Muhammad bin Ya’qoob bin Iss’haq al-Kulayni, from whom he took the most of his knowledge and for whom he worked as clerk. • Abul Qassim Musa bin Muhammad al-Ash’ari al-Qummi-the son of Sa’d bin Abdullah’s daughter-in Shiraz 313Ah.

His Students An-Najashi said: “I have seen Abul Husayn Muhammad bin Ali ash-Shuja’iy the clerk learning the book al-Ghayba written by Muhammad bin Ibraheem an-Nu’mani in Mashhadul Ateeqa.

✦ ✦ ✦