Gunohi Kabiralar 5.3

Among the esteemed scholars of Islamic civilization, Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Usmon Abu Abdulloh Zahabiy Shofe’iy undoubtedly occupies a significant position. Born in 673 AH in Damascus, Syria, Imam Zahabiy's name derives from his father's profession, meaning "son of the goldsmith." He began his study of Hadith at the age of 18, traveling to thirty cities including Baalbek, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Tripoli, Nablus, Ramla, Cairo, Alexandria, Jerusalem, and Hijaz to seek knowledge.

Throughout his educational journey, he studied under numerous scholars. Notably, he was tested by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Daqiq Iyd when he came to learn from him, correctly answering the question, "Who is Abu Muhammad Hiloliy?" with "Sufyan ibn Uyayna," which led to his acceptance as a student. He acquired knowledge in Hadith and Fiqh from prominent scholars of his time such as Ibn Zahiriy, Abarquhiy, Sharafiddin Dimyatiy, and Jaloliddin Abu Ma’li Ansoriy.

After returning to Damascus, Imam Zahabiy taught Hadith and authored several significant works that solidified his reputation in the Islamic world. At 73 years of age, he lost his eyesight and passed away two years later. He had three children: a daughter named Amat Aziz and two sons, Abdullah and Abu Hurayra Abdurahmon. Abdurahmon later became a leading figure in Hadith scholarship and taught scholars such as Ibn Nasriddin Damashqiy and Ibn Hajar Asqaloniy while narrating many Hadith he had learned from his father.

Imam Zahabiy lived for 75 years and is renowned in Islamic circles as the Sultan of Hadith sciences—a historian with comprehensive knowledge, genealogist, and Shaykh al-Islam.

Author: Imam Hafiz Shamsuddin Zahabi
Translator: Dilmurod Qo‘shoqov
Editor: Ulug‘bek Mutalov
Reviewer: Abdug‘afur Iskandar