ALI IBNE IBRĀHIM QUMMI

(ALI, THE SON OF IBRĀHIM QUMMI)

Birth:

Abulhassan Ali, son of Ibrāhim, son of Hāshim Qummi was a distinguished Shiite narrator of tradition (Hadiths) in the 3^rd century Hegira. He was a disciple of Imam Hassan Askari (A.S.) and one of the most authentic preceptors of Sheikh Kulayni.

Childhood:

He was born in a devout Shiite family who showed deep commitment to the Ahl-ul-Bayt (A.S.), the immaculate Household of the holy prophet of Islam (S.A.). His father was a senior narrator of Hadiths among Shiite scholars. Therefore Ali started to acquire the knowledge of the Ahl-ul-Bayt (A.S.) from his very childhood through his father. He also learnt many Islamic Narrations and Traditions through prominent Shiite scholars and mentors insofar as he himself became a credible narrator in the holy city of Qum.

His Father:

Sheikh Abbās Qummi in his book Al-Kunā Wal-Alqāb explains the eminence and high social status of Ibrāhim ibne Hāshim (the father of Ali ibne Ibrāhim) as follows: “He was the most prominent and distinguished narrator from among those of Qum. He was the first one to promulgate the (Islamic) narrations by the narrators of Kufah city among the people of Qum. Indeed, he was the Sheikh and brilliant figure of Qum city.

His Personality:

Ali ibne Ibrāhim Qummi is considered as one of the most outstanding and trustworthy Shiite narrators. He has quoted around 7140 narrations of the great collection of Shiite narrations, 6214 of which were drawn from his father, Ibrāhim ibne Hāshim.

The Shiite scholars and Jurisprudents held Ali ibne Ibrāhim Qummi in a high esteem. Sheikh Kulayni, the author of the noble book Al-Kāfi has attributed many of the quotations in his book to Ali ibne Ibrāhim Qummi.

Ali ibne Ibrāhim Qummi was in the forefront of well-known narrators in the city of Qum. Shiite Jurisprudents called him Ustād Mashāyikh Qum (The Preceptor of Mentors of Qum), which shows the high regard they had for him.

OPINIONS CONCERNING HIM:

Najāshi has this to say about Ali ibne Ibrāhim Qummi: “He was a reliable narrator of authentic Narrations. He was steadfast in his faith, which was based on true convictions. He had heard many Narrations from Shiite erudite figures, and narrated them accordingly”.

Sheikh Tabresi, the author of I’lām-ul-Warā, cites about Ali ibne Ibrāhim Qummi: “He was one of the greatest Shiite narrators who lived at the time of Imam Hassan Askari (A.S.). Muhammad ibne Yaqūb Kulaynī, in his book Al-Kafī, quoted many of the Traditions narrated by him.”

 HIS TEACHERS:

Ali ibne Ibrāhim has benefited from instructions of several mentors, including the following:

Ibrāhim ibne Hāshim (his father)

 Is’hāq ibne Ibrāhim (his brother)

Muhammad ibne Isā

Ahmad ibne Muhammad ibne Khālid Barqi

Ayyūb ibne Nūh

Ahmad ibne Is’hāq ibne Sa’ad

Ahmad ibne Muhammad

Ismāeel  ibne Muhammad Maleki

Hassan ibne Muhammad

Hassan ibne Mūsa al-Khashshāb

HIS STUDENTS:

Many scholars have benefited from his teachings, as:

Thiqatul-Islam Muhammad ibne Yaqūb Kulayni

 Qāsim ibne Muhammad

Ahmad ibne Ziyād ibne Ja’far Hamadāni

Hassan ibne Hamzah Alawi

Muhammad ibne Mūsa ibne Mutawakkil

HIS WRITINGS:

From among his many writings the following are notable:

Nawādir-ul-Qur’an (Rarities of the Holy Qur’an)

Nāsikh wa Mansūkh (The Abrogating & Abrogated Laws)

Qurb-ul-Isnād

Al-Sharāye’ (Divine Laws & Precepts)

Al-Haydh (Menstruation)

Al-Tawhīd Wa Al-Shirk (Monotheism & Polytheism)

Fadhāyel-e  Amir-ul-Mu’minīn (Virtues of Imam Ali A.S.)

Al-Maghāzi (Battles)

Al-Anbiyā (Prophets)

Al- Mashdhar

Al-Manāqib (Virtues &Excellences)

Ikhtiyār-ul-Qur’an