Shaykh Saduq
One of the greatest Shia scholars of
the fourth century, who was famous by the Muallim (teacher). His
book, Man la Yahzarahul Faqih is one of the four principal books
of Hadith of Shia i.e. Kotob-e-Arba'.
The high position of Shaykh Saduq (died
381 A.H.) can be gauged from the fact that he was born through the
prayers of Hadhrat Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.). Throughout his life he was the
centre of Imam's attention and favours.
The father of Shaykh Saduq (r.a.) was
known by the name of Ali ibne Babwayh. He was one of the well-known
jurisprudent and scholar of hadith in the city of Qum. Though he had
been married to his cousin for a number of years he was he was not yet
blessed with any children.
In the year 305 A.H. he visited Baghdad
and met the special representative of Imam (a.s.), Husain ibne Rawh
Nawbakhti. Ibne Babwayh sent a letter through Mohammad ibne Aswad with
the request that it may be presented to Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.) to pray to
Allah in this regard.
A reply was soon received from Imam
(a.s.) as follows: " You will not have any children by this wife. I have
prayed for you in this regard and soon you will be blessed by two sons
(who would become jurists) through a lady of the Dailamite tribe."
As foretold by Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.),
ibne Babwayh married a Dailamite lady after some time. The Almighty
Allah blessed him with two sons whom he named Mohammad and Husain.
Both his sons soon earned fame as the
Shi'ite jurists and scholars of traditions in the city of Qum. Very few
scholars of that time could reach such an exalted position.
The exceptional ability and brilliance
specially in the narrating and memorising of Hadith; and his
truthfulness soon earned for him the title of Saduq. He later became
famous by his honourable title.
The scholars and friends of his time
were amazed at his knowledge and outstanding memory. It was clear that
his brilliant mind and non-stop successes were due to the blessings of
the prayers of Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.).
He himself agreed to this fact and felt
much honoured for the same. He often said: " I am born through the
prayers of Imam-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.) |