← Explore on the interactive map

Al-Dhahabi

Type Figure Region Syria Time 1274–1348 Also known as Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Dhahabi

Damascene hadith scholar and biographical historian of the Mamluk era (1274–1348), author of the History of Islam and the Lives of the Nobles.

Timeline

  1. 1274–1292Damascus · DamascusBorn in Damascus in 1274 to a family descended from Turkoman goldsmiths from Mayyafariqin; "al-Dhahabi" means "son of the goldsmith." Around the age of eighteen he devoted himself to hadith, transcribing and memorizing in the city and beginning to accumulate training in biographical science and jurisprudence.
  2. 1292–1305Cairo · CairoHe traveled successively to Baalbek, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Nablus, Cairo, Alexandria, Jerusalem, and the Hijaz in pursuit of learning. At Baalbek he was influenced by scholars such as Zaynab bint Umar and came into contact with the transmissions of Ibn Daqiq al-Id, al-Dimyati, and others.
  3. c. 1305–1330Damascus · DamascusAfter returning to Damascus he taught students for a long time and became known for sharp biographical criticism (jarh wa-ta'dil). He associated with scholars of the city such as Ibn Taymiyya while embarking on large compilations such as the History of Islam, combining annals with biography.
  4. 1330–1348Damascus · DamascusIn his mature period he completed Lives of the Nobles, the Memorandum of the Hafiz, and the Balanced Scales, among others; his students included Ibn Kathir and Taj al-Din al-Subki. He died in Damascus in February 1348, on the eve of the Black Death, and his books became standard references for later hadith studies and historiography.

Sources