Al Layth Ibn Sad Beyond the Four Imams

Imam Albin sad or Albin sad bin Abdul Rahman also known as Abu al-harith was born in the month of Shaban in the year 713 ad in his hometown of Kash Shanda this Village is part of the tuque Center in the dalala governorate located north of Cairo his lineage traces back to Isfahan and he was among the mawali clients of khed Bin thit alarm therefore Al is attributed to the Banu far by clientage narratives suggests that Al's ancestors from Isfahan converted to Islam and participated in the conquest of Egypt when Amar bin al-as decided to establish the city of fat in Egypt he divided it into plots allotting one such plot known as the three red quarters to Al's ancestors alth bin sad grew up in Egypt in his hometown of kander nurtured on its land and raised in house of knowledge virtue wealth and Authority his upbringing initially was under the guidance of Abdul Malik bin rifa abin Khaled bin Tabit Alam to whom he was related Abdul Malik bin rifa devout trustworthy scholar was appointed as the governor of Egypt by khif sulan bin Abdul Malik bin Marwan he was known for his exemplary Justice shaping Al's upbringing with Noble ethics and sound Islamic education alth memorized the Holy Quran and studied quranic Sciences Hadith jurist prudence and other Islamic and Arabic Sciences becoming known for his academic excellence and precocious understanding of Islamic law his talent and wisdom became evident at young age and he began issuing religious rulings while still in his youth initially Al bin sad focused on narrating Hadith which influenced his character development and Independence instilling in him self-reliance and pride in his opinions without being rigid or aggressive about his upbringing it was said have never seen anyone more complete than alth bin sad he was jurist in body fluent in Arabic proficient in Quran and grammar memorized poetry and Hadith skilled in discourse and always remembered for his beautiful qualities counting them on his fingers up to 10 it was also remarked they recognize alth for his virtue piety and good Islam despite his young age and of all have seen none is like Al lath Imam Al bin sad was characterized by the noblest virtues he was among the leading Scholars of his time an Imam jurist preserver of the book of Allah and the noble Hadith Believer Pious devout diligent in worship generous in charity magnanimous independent of others possessions man of opinion quick-witted observant and had an excellent memory it was said about Imam Al They recognize alth for his virtue piety and the goodness of his Islam despite his young age it was also said Al was jurist in body Arabic in tongue proficient in the Quran and grammar memorizing Hadith and poetry and skilled in discourse and it was remarked have not seen anyone like alth Imam Al bin sad was also known as trustworthy and honest Imam recognized for his truthfulness trustworthiness diligence in his knowledge and narration of the noble Hadith he was knowledgeable in matters precise in Affairs strong in argument and expression and distinguished by his exceptional abilities eloquence fluency and intense memorization he debated issues as noted saw Al at rabia's debating issues and the people of the circle were in awe Imam Al bin sad was among the wealthy dignified and generous known for his neat appearance it was reported that his annual income was 80,000 din yet he never had to pay zakat on single deum he had different outfit for each day of the year never wearing the same one twice in succession regarding his appearance it was said we traveled with alth bin sad from Alexandria and he had three ships one for his kitchen one for his family and one for his guest Imam Al was also characterized by virtue generosity magnanimity Chastity and asceticism in life regarding his virtues it was said Al bin sad used to send Malik 100 dinar annually when Malik asked him for loan he sent him 500 din heard bin wab saying Malik wrote to alth asking for some safflower to dye his daughter's wedding clothes and Al sent him 30 loads of it Malik sold it for 500 diners and had Surplus left it was also said Al would utilize 20,000 diners annually never owing zakat he gave bin laah th000 diners Malik th000 diners and the preacher mansur bin Amar th000 diners Sali bin Ahmed al-hamdani said that when Manu binar visited alth he gifted him ,000 diners and when bin laha's house burned down he helped him with another thousand diners and he also gave thousand to Malik Imam Al was humble towards people loved and revered by them he was close to the people compassionate and would dine with them it was said about him accompanied alth for 20 years and he never had lunch or dinner except with the people regarding his generosity it was reported that woman came to alth saying Abu al-harith my son is ill and craves honey he replied boy give her jar of honey which weighed £220 it was also mentioned that people bought fruit from al la but struggled to profit so he forgave them and then ordered 50 diners to be given to them his son al-harith questioned this to which alth replied Allah forgive give they had hopes in it so wanted to compensate them for their hopes Imam Al was also known for his complete Devotion to religion and exemplary conduct rich in knowledge he was considered the scholar of his time with many scholars preferring and praising him over Imam Malik it was said had Malik and Al met Malik would have been silent in Al's presence and alth could have sold Malik among those who out bid abuali Al scribe recounted we were at Malik's door who refused to speak said this is unlike our companion Malik heard and let us in asking who is your companion replied alth Malik said you compare us to man to whom wrote for little safflower to dye our children's clothes and he sent so much that we sold the Surplus for thousand diners there was also an incident in Imam Al's life related by Al Adam who said passed by alth bin sad who cleared his throat so returned to him he said SED take this pouch and write down the names of those who frequent the mosque and have no merchandise or harvest said may Allah reward you well Abu al-harith took the pouch went home prayed lit lamp and began writing in the name of Allah the most gracious the most merciful then named person but then my conscience struck and named another while doing so messenger came and said you come to people who secretly serve Allah and you expose them to mortal what are Al and schw compared to Allah to whom they are devoted stood up and wrote nothing when met Al the next morning his face beamed handed him the pouch and he unfolded it finding only in the name of Allah the most gracious the most merciful he asked for news and truthfully recounted what happened he exclaimed loudly drawing crowd who asked him what happened he said nothing but good then turned to me saying SED you discerned and forbade it you spoke the truth what are alth and schw compared to Allah Imam Al bin sad embarked on his scholarly Journey at young age becoming renowned in his youth for his eagerness to attend scholarly Gatherings he memorized the Holy Quran and learned jurist Prudence Hadith and other Islamic Sciences in his town and neighboring region Legions he acquired Knowledge from the tabun and leading Scholars of his time enhancing his knowledge virtue and piety after becoming qualified to pursue further knowledge Imam Al bin sad resolved to travel to the haramain the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina common practice for Scholars of his era as these cities were the first destination for students of knowledge being the Cradle of Prophecy and the place where the companions of the Prophet who witnessed the revelations and lived with him resided his first educational Journey was in 731 CE to Mecca when he was barely 20 years old at that time Mecca was focal point for Scholars who benefited from the pilgrimage to Mecca in addition to performing Hajj and umrah they were Keen to learn Hadith from The Companions and residents near the sacred mosque who were numerous then Imam Al's objective was to hear the noble Hadith learn the Sciences of narration meet memorizers of Hadith engage in scholarly discussions with them and benefit from their knowledge Imam Al bin sad said performed Hajj in the year 113 when was 20 years old and heard Hadith in Mecca in the year 113 from Azuri when was 20 years old he received his knowledge from The Companions and major successes in Mecca among his teachers were Imam bin shihab and Imam Nafi from whom he learned quranic recitation Imam Al said wrote down much knowledge from bin shihab and intended to ride the Postal Service to him in arafa but feared it might not please Allah so refrained then met Nai who asked me and said am Egyptian he asked from which tribe said from kaes he asked how old are you said 20 years he said your beard looks like that of 40-year-old Imam Al stayed in the haramain quenching his thirst for knowledge until he decided to travel to Iraq in 778 CE he traveled to Iraq for knowledge and narration learning from its Scholars including Imam Hisham aliti it was said we traveled with Al bin sad to Baghdad in the year 161 leaving in shawal and celebrating Aid Al adha in Baghdad alth bin sad said to me in Baghdad ask about the neighborhood of Banu jadara and when you find it ask for the house of Hisham Al wasti and tell him your brother alth the Egyptian sends his greetings and asks you to send him some of your books met Hisham who gave me something from which we wrote and listen to along with alth Imam Al bin sad also met Imam Rabia al- in Baghdad who had circle of jurist prudence and was known for his strong arguments precise proofs and clear insights into issues he debated various issues with people in his meeting with Rabia alrai Al sat in his Circle and debated issues with him and those around him Imam Rabia held great respect for Imam Al as it was said saw Al bin sad when he came to Yahya bin Sid and Rabia bin ABI Abdul Rahman and they both made room for him and held him in high esteem then Imam alth bin sad returned to Egypt to continue his scholarly activity it was reported that he received knowledge during his travels from about 80 individuals whom he narrated from among the most famous of alth Bin saad's teachers were Imam ibraim bin ABI ablah Imam ibraim bin Nashid alwani Imam bin Musa and Imam bakir Abdullah Bin Al asaj Imam alth bin sad met many of the major successors exceeding 50 as well as around 150 of the followers of the successors due to the unique composition of Imam alth bin saad's personality and his scholarly and religious status he caught the attention of rulers and cffs despite his asceticism and Detachment from governance many positions were offered to him he refused some but accepted others fearing the ruler's wrath he was appointed to manage the Dawan of atar the Bureau of Grants it was mentioned that Sal bin Ali told Amar bin al-harith won't leave alth until he agrees to take up the position for me Amar replied he won't do it Salah threatened will surely strike off his neck prompting Amar to warn alth about rejecting the governmental position that Salah bin Ali would offer him consequently alth agreed and took charge of the Dewan of atar he also governed Al jazer and it was said alth governed Al jazer and the amirs of Egypt wouldn't make decision without consulting him alth Bin sad became the jurist of Egypt its Hadith scholar and its esteemed and leading figure rulers and judges did not make decisions without his counsel always referring to his opinion and consultation his stature in his time was so great that he independently issued legal verdicts CIF Abu Jafar al- mansur offered him the governorship of Egypt but Al bin sad excused himself from the position Al said Abu Jafar said to me will you govern Egypt for me replied no commander of the faithful am weak for that am man from the mawali clients he said you have no weakness with me but your intention to work for me is weak if you refuse then guide me to someone else whom can trust with Egypt he was also appointed to the Dawan during the caliphate of al- mahti Al held four daily councils the first for the Sultan's Affairs and needs where he would attend the sultan and if he disapproved of something from judge or the sultan he would write to the caleff leading to their dismissal the second Council was for those studying the prophetic Hadith which he taught and they memorized with with the correct chain of transmission the third Council was for answering people's jurist Prudential and religious questions the fourth Council was for attending to people's needs never turning anyone away regardless of the size of their need he fed people in winter with pastries made of bee honey and cow ghee and In Summer with almond scones sweetened with sugar alth bin sad was an Imam in jurist prudence and Hadith considered by some as an independent knowledgeable scholar in jurist Prudence Hadith and Arabic he contributed many hadiths to the authentic books of Hadith he was described as the uncontested Imam of his time and an Imam whose rights upon us have been mandated by Allah regarding his legal School some believed he followed the hanafi school While others thought he was Malachi in truth he was neither hanafi nor Malachi but had his independent legal School the Islamic jurist credential Heritage is not limited to the four major schools the second and third century jurists and Scholars other than the four imams left significant Legacy and the Islamic community recognized their imamate one of the main reasons for the limited spread of Imam Al bin sad school was that he did not do doent his school himself as al-shafi he did with his books al- and arah and as Imam Malik did with al- muata also there were few followers who continued his teachings and preserved his views this is evident from Imam al- shafi's statement alth was more knowledgeable in jurist Prudence than Malik but his followers did not do him Justice this means they did not take care of documenting his views and spreading them among the public as they themselves did for Malik's views Imam Al bin sad passed away on Friday in the month of Shaban in the year 791 CE he was buried after the Friday prayer in the Lessa karafa at the foot of the mukam hills during the caliphate of al-madi the funeral prayer was led by Musa bin Isa his funeral was Grand attended by many was said about the funeral of Imam alth have never seen grander funeral saw people overwhelmed with grief comforting each other and weeping said Father it's as if each person here is related to the deceased Imam al-shafi expressed sorrow over his death saying no one's passing has saddened me as much as the passing of alth following the Egyptian tradition his grave was marked and later dome was built over it subsequently Abu Zed al- misri one of the major Egyptian Traders constructed mosque over Imam Al's grave later alhajj sa Alin al- mukadam renovated the Dome and the mosque was refurbished during the era of al-nasir faraj Bin bahuk this mosque features unique minet in its shape and position located outside the mosque main structure Imam Albin sad passed away after living 81 years filling his life with knowledge piety generosity and contribution he moved on to the highest companion leaving behind legacy preserved in the grandest pages of history as one of the greatest jurists in Islamic history may Allah have mercy on Imam Al bin sad