Al-faqeih Talking: Douleg Bin Ahmed Al-Sagzy Sheikh Al-Hadith (260-351.AH/874-962.AD)

Abstract

This study aims to highlight one of the scholars of the Islamic nation, and an illuminator of of darkness, namely Imam Daalaj Ibn Ahmed Al-Sajzi, since it sheds light on the impact of the sheikh of jurists, and the imam of hadith scholars in his time, in enriching scientific life in many Islamic cultural centers, especially the city of Baghdad, and his support of scholars through his endowments that he allocated to them. The study achieves so by shedding light on his trips to such centers, so he had an important role in the flourishing of the study of Hadith, concerning both classification and teaching. All students who were aspiring scholars at this time in the Islamic world realized Daalaj's professorship, and the loftiness of his position in the science of Hadith and jurisprudence (Fiqh), therefore they gathered around him to learn from him. In this study I have enlisted the names of many of his sheikhs, and his students who were influenced by him in their scientific formation, which qualified some of them to become the most prominent sheikhs of jurisprudence and hadith. The study came in seven sections, the first one to introduce Da'laj Ibn Ahmed Al-Sajzi. The second one discusses his upbringing in Sistan. The third discusses his wealth. The fourth is devoted to talking about his sheikhs. The fifth deals with his trips to cultural centers. The sixth is devoted to his impact on scientific and cultural life. Finally, the seventh section is for talking about his death and the confiscation of his money. The study concludes with a number of results, including: Da'laj's birth in the city of Zaranj, the largest center of Sistan. It also shows that he did not limit himself to obtain knowledge from the sheikhs of the Shafi'i school only, but also took from the sheikhs of the Hanafi and Maliki schools. As a result of that, he became a sheikh of hadith scholars and jurists in the Islamic world, as he was contemporary to many kings and princes of the countries he passed through. Through analyzing some texts that were written in the books of biographies, and literary and historical sources, it was shown that he was one of the most influential hadith scholars in the scientific life in the Islamic East, especially in the field of Hadith, as his works and studies benefited many scholars of his time as well as his students. The study proved that Dalaaj is considered to be a basic reference and a source that scholars and students refers back to in their studies related to religious sciences. Moreover his scientific approach related to proofreading and classification was one of the most important factors in establishing the science of Hadith terminology, as he was very careful and accurate about Isnād (chain of transmitters) and Matn (the text), concerning acceptance and rejection, and what follows that in terms of the method of narration, performance and control; therefore, students gathered around him.