Biography of As-Sarakhsi

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم الحمد لله رب العالمين الصلاة والسلام على نبيه الكريم وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين

In the name of Allaah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of the worlds. Peace and blessings upon His noble Prophet, upon his family and all of his companions.

Name and Lineage

He is Imam Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Abi Sahl as-Sarakhsi, famously known as Shams al-Aimmah as-Sarakhsi. Abu Sa'd as-Sama'ni said:

"As-Sarakhsi, this nisbah refers to the old town of Sarakhs in the region of Khurasan. It is said that Sarakhs was the name of a man who was one of the frontier guards during the reign of Kaykawoos. He settled in that location and developed it, while Dhu al-Qarnayn completed the construction of the town and its fortifications. The town was conquered by 'Abdullah ibn Khaazim as-Sulami, the governor acting on behalf of 'Abdullah ibn 'Aamir ibn Kurayz, during the caliphate of 'Uthmaan ibn 'Affan (may Allaah be pleased with him)."

End quote from [الأنساب]

His Teachers and Students

Teachers

His primary teacher under whom he studied under and mastered the religious sciences was Imam Shams al-Aimmah 'Abd al-'Azeez al-Hulwani al-Hanafi, the imam of the Hanafis of his time in Bukhara. As-Sarakhsi completed his education and graduated under him. He was also given the title 'Shams al-Aimmah' due to al-Hulwani.

Students

He had a number of notable students who studied and graduated under him. Some of them are:

1- 'Abd al-'Azeez ibn 'Umar ibn Maaza, Burhan al-Aimmah al-Hanafi. The author of the well known and reliable work 'Al-Muheet al-Burhaani'.

2- Mahmood ibn Mas'ood ibn 'Abd al-Hameed al-Yuzajnadi

3- Muhammad ibn Ibraheem al-Husayri al-Bukhaari

4- Muhammad ibn 'Ali ibn Muhammad an-Noojabadhi

5- 'Umar ibn Habeeb ibn 'Ali az-Zarandramashi. He was the maternal grandfather of the author of al-Hidayah: Burhan ad-Deen al-Marghinaani.

6- Mas'ood ibn al-Husayn ibn al-Hasan al-Kashaani

7- Abu 'Umar 'Uthmaan ibn 'Ali ibn Muhammad al-Baykandi. He was the last surviving student to have studied directly under him.

His Works

01- Al-Mabsoot Fi al-Fiqh

Al-Haakim ash-Shaheed and Kitab al-Kaafi

Before beginning, it is important to know another scholar, famously known as Al-Haakim ash-Shaheed. He is Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn 'Abdullah ibn 'Abd al-Majeed, Abu al-Fadhl, known as al-Haakim ash-Shaheed. He was a well known scholar and heard hadeeth from numerous scholars in different regions. It is sufficient to quote imam Abu 'Abdullah al-Haakim who said about him:

"I did not see anyone from the companions of Abu Haneefah whom I wrote from more knowledgeable about hadeeth, more guided in its rules, or more understanding of it than him."

He was appointed judge of Bukhara and frequented the court of the prince al-Hameed, who learned under al-Haakim ash-Shaheed. When Hameed came to power, he entrusted him with the reins of all affairs. He initially refused the title of minister, but the prince persisted until he accepted it.

He used to supplicate after his prayers, saying, "O Allaah, grant me martyrdom," until on the evening of the night before he was killed, he heard a commotion and the sound of weapons. He asked, "What is this?" They replied, "The soldiers have gathered, holding you responsible for the withholding of their provisions." He said, "O Allaah, forgive me." Then he called for the barber, who shaved his head. He then performed ablution, put on the finest shroud, and continued praying throughout the night. Until it became clear that they had gathered against him, and the Sultan sent an army to prevent them, but they fought them and killed him while he was prostrating in Rabee’ al-Aakhir in the year 334 AH

He had famous works, one of which is a book called "Al-Kaafi". In it, he summarized the well known books of Imam Muhammad ibn al-Hasan ash-Shaybaani, which are called the 'Apparent Narration' [ظاهر الرواية].

Al-Mabsoot, and the Mihna (Trial) of As-Sarakhsi

The book "Al-Mabsoot" of imam as-Sarakhsi is an explanation of Al-Kaafi. The book is around 15 volumes.

The most interesting aspect about this book is that it was entirely dictated by As-Sarakhsi to his students while he was imprisoned. The reason for this imprisonment was because of a verdict regarding the Khaqan (Turkic ruler) of the land. The Khaqan had freed and married a slave of his, but her waiting period was not over. The Khaqan sought out the scholars for this action of his. Imam as-Sarakhsi following the path of the firmly grounded scholars gave the truthful ruling that the marriage of the Khaqan was prohibited as the waiting period of the slave was not over. Because of this ruling, he was thrown into prison in the year 466 AH, and he remained imprisoned for 15 years. The prison was at first a well which was later transformed. So he was at the bottom of the well, while his students would be at the surface. There were no books or writing materials with him, so he dictated the work al-Mabsoot from his prison cell, entirely from memory, without reference to any book or work. Thus, this stands as a remarkable testament to As-Sarakhsi's extraordinary memory, profound mastery of the madhhab, and unwavering commitment to knowledge.

Thus, with the unique nature of Al-Mabsoot, there are many instances in it where the sincere reader cannot help but be affected by the touching remarks As-Sarakhsi would mention at the end of chapters.

After completing the chapters on worship, he dictated:

"This is the end of the explanation of the chapters of worship, presented with the clearest meanings and the most concise expressions, dictated by the prisoner deprived of the Friday and congregational prayers."

At the end of the book of divorce, he dictated:

"This is the conclusion of the book of divorce, containing its subtle and profound meanings, dictated by the prisoner deprived of freedom and afflicted by the loneliness of separation, while sending blessings upon the Master of al-Buraaq, may Allaah bless him, his family, and his companions, the people of goodness and nobility, with prayers that multiply and endure until the Day of Meeting."

At the end of the book of manumission, he dictated:

"The explanation of the book of manumission has been completed, dealing with matters of agreement and disagreement, dictated by one who embraces tribulations, confined in distant lands, praising the Sovereign, the All-Provider, sending blessings upon the Beloved of the Creator, longing to meet Him, and upon his family and companions, the best of companions and close ones."

At the conclusion of the book of acknowledgment, he dictated:

"The explanation of the book of acknowledgment has been completed, containing meanings that are among the deepest of secrets, dictated by the prisoner in the abode of the wicked, while sending blessings upon the Chosen Prophet."

after completing one quarter of the chapters on sales, he dictated:

"The quarter on sales has been completed by the one who humbly implores Allaah the Exalted with submission and flowing tears, separated from his family and from his collected books."

These heartfelt epilogues provide a rare glimpse into the personal trials of one of the greatest jurists. Even while deprived of his freedom, he continued to teach, dictate, and serve the religion with remarkable patience and unwavering dedication.

02- Sharh as-Siyar al-Kabeer

This is the explanation of one of Imam Muhammad's books as-Siyaar al-Kabeer. It is widely regarded as one of the foundational classical works on Islamic international law, discussing warfare, treaties, diplomacy, and relations between Muslim and non-Muslim states. It has been published in numerous editions, translated into several languages, and has served as an important reference for scholars and researchers in Islamic law and international relations.

This book was also mostly dictated by Imam as-Sarakhsi while he was in prison. When he was dictating the chapters on conditions in the year 480 AH, he was released, having spent approximately 15 years in prison. He travelled to Marghinaan in Rabee' al-Awwal of 480 AH, and finished the complete explanation Jumadah al-'Ala of the same year under the prince al-Hasan who welcomed him in Farghanah.

03- Al-Fusool Fi al-Usool

A substantial two-volume work on the principles of jurisprudence, now published in around 2-3 volumes. It was also dictated while he was in prison.

And other works of his include:

04- Sharh al-Jaami' al-Kabeer

05- Sharh al-Jaami' as-Sagheer

06- Sharh Mukhtasar at-Tahaawi

07- Sharh Adab al-Qadhi

08- Sharh az-Ziyadaat

09- Sharh Ziyadaat az-Ziyadaat

10- Sharh an-Nafaqaat of al-Khassaaf

His Scholarly Standing

Ibn Qutloobugha said about him:

"He was a distinguished scholar, a master of principles, and an accomplished debater."

He also reported:

Among the remarkable examples of his intelligence, in addition to his extraordinary memory, is what is narrated in al-Masaalik: A prince married the mothers of his children to his free servants. He asked the scholars present for their opinion, and all of them replied: "You have done well." Shams al-Aʾimmah, however, said: "You have erred, because each servant already has a free wife. This amounts to marrying a slave woman to a man who is already married to a free woman." The prince then said: "I have emancipated these women; let the marriage contracts be renewed." He again asked the assembled scholars, and they all replied: "You have done well." But Shams al-Aʾimmah responded: "You have erred again, because the mothers of the children are required to observe a waiting period (ʿiddah) after emancipation. Marrying them to another man during that waiting period is not permissible."

[تاج التراجم في طبقات الحنفية]

Abu al-Hasanaat al-Lucknawi said about him:

"He was an eminent imam, an eminent scholar, an authoritative proof, a theologian, a skilled debater, a master of legal principles, and a mujtahid. Ibn Kamaal Pasha counted him among the mujtahids fi'l-masaʾil (jurists qualified to exercise independent reasoning in particular legal issues)."

He also related:

"The author of Madinat al-ʿUloom writes: 'He completed his studies under Shams al-Aʾimmah 'Abd al-'Azeez al-Hulwani ... He was a leading authority in legal theory... It is also related that someone said to him: Ash-Shaafiʿi memorized three hundred notebooks. His own memorization was then estimated at twelve thousand notebooks.'"

And also:

In Tabaqaat al-Qaari: ... He was one of the greatest scholars of Transoxiana, excelling in both principles and legal matters.

[الفوائد البهية في تراجم الحنفية]

'Abd al-Qaadir al-Qurashi said about him:

"Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Abi Sahl as-Sarakhsi, whose name appears repeatedly in al-Hidayah, was the great Imam Shams al-Aimmah, the author of al-Mabsoot and other works. He was one of the foremost among the great imams, excelling in numerous branches of knowledge. He was an imam, an eminent scholar, an authoritative proof, a theologian, a jurist, a master of principles, and a distinguished debater."

"He remained in the company of Imam Shams al-Aʾimmah Abu Muhamamd 'Abd al-'Azeez al-Hulwani until he completed his education under him, after which he became the most discerning scholar of his age. He then devoted himself to writing and debating his contemporaries, causing his name to become renowned and his reputation to spread."

[الجواهر المضية في طبقات الحنفية]

Al-Kafwi stated:

"He was an imam, an eminent scholar, an authoritative proof, a theologian, a jurist, a skilled debater, a master of principles, and a mujtahid. Shaykh al-Islam Ahmad ibn Sulayman ibn Kamal Pasha counted him among the mujtahids fi'l-masaʾil.... He became the most discerning of his teacher's students and the foremost scholar of his age."

He then related from Al-Atqaani in his Sharh of al-Hidayah, who said:

"Shams al-Aʾimmah as-Sarakhsi was one of the greatest scholars of what lies beyond the river (Transoxiana), a scholar of principles and legal matters. He was the student of Shaykh al-Imam 'Abd al-'Azeez ibn Ahmad al-Hulwani, who studied under Abu 'Ali an-Nasafi, who studied under Imam Muhammad ibn al-Fadhl al-Bukhaari, who studied under Shaykh 'Abdullah ibn Ya'qoob as-Subadhmuni, who studied under Abu 'Abdullah Abu Hafs as-Sagheer, who studied under his father and teacher Abu Hafs al-Kabeer, who studied under Muhammad ibn al-Hasan ash-Shaybaani, the companion of Imam Abu Haneefah."

[كتائب أعلام الأخيار من فقهاء مذهب النعمان المختار]

His Death

It is reported that he died around 490 AH, while others place his death around 500 AH. A report states he died around 438 AH however this conflicts with the well-attested reports placing his death around 490–500 AH, and is generally regarded by later scholars as an error in transmission. I have included him among the scholars of the fourth century, based on the date of around 490 AH. May Allaah have mercy on him, accept his service to Islam, and reward him abundantly.