On a comparison of these two...

On a comparison of these two, Najashi will be found to be the better and more detailed work, as has been pointed out by Sprenger.[^6] Najashi gives a very comprehensive list of the Shaykh's works. The later works of reference, like Qisasu'1-'Uluma', Amalu'1-Amil, Muntaha'1-Maqal and others repeat with certain additions the information given in the earlier works. It is therefore safe to treat Tusi and Najashi as the basic authorities.

Of later works, I have made the fullest use of Rawdatu'l-Jannat by Muhammad Baqir bin Hajji Zaynu'l-Abidin al-Musawi al-Khwansari (lithographed Tehran, 1306/1888). This is the most scholarly and comprehensive of modem authorities, and as far as can be ascertained from the Imami scholars themselves, they place great reliance on it.

The account of Shaykh Saduq, although it extends to four pages (557-560), consists mainly of a discussion of his views, opinions on his greatness as a doctor of theology, his soundness (being thiqa) as a traditionist, and various other matters, without giving us details of his life or glimpses of his character.[^7] With regard to his writings, according to Professor E.G. Browne, the Q isasu'1-'Ulama' attributes 189 (iv.

377,405) and Najashi 193 works to the Shaykh Saduq (EL, ji, 366*).* Tusi however mentions 43, and Rawdatu'1-Jannat 17 only. In addition to these authorities, such manuscript catalogues as were available in Bombay have been consulted by me, and after dealing with his biography, the results carefully stated. Abu Ja'far Muhammad bin 'Ali bin al-Husayn bin Musa Ibn Babawayhi[^8] al-Qummi is generally known as ash-Shaykh as-Saduq.

His place of birth is not mentioned either by Tusi or by Najashi, but Donaldson says that he was born in Khorasan.[^9] In 355/966 he went to Baghdad, apparently from Khorasan, and died in Rayy in 381/991.[^10] Ahlwardt in the Berlin Catalogue says that the date of death is 39l/l00l,[^11] and this is followed by some authors. There is however no sufficient authority for this date. Of his life and character we know nothing; but of his birth a most entertaining legend is preserved.

According to Tusi and Najashi,[^12] when in Iraq, his father 'Ali bin al-Husayn Ibn Babawayhi al-Qummi (died 329/940-941) met Abu'l-Qasim Husayn bin Ruh, who was the third of the four agents of the Hidden Imam during the period of 73 years, 256-339 A.H[^13]., and asked him several questions.