Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) took great care of spreading knowledge among the people. He spared no effort to educate his companions. He taught them jurisprudence and sciences. So, they became prominent jurisprudents in the Islamic world. Ima`m al-Ba`qir asked his son, Ima`m Ja'far al-Sa`diq, to spend money on them to devote themselves to record the traditions they heard from him. Ima`m Ja'far al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, lauded his father's companions. Addressing his companions, he said: "By Allah, my father’s companions were better than you. They were leaves without thorns while you are thorns without leaves.
1
We will mention al-Ba`qir’s Companions and give a brief study about each of them. They are as follows:
1. Aba`n bin Taghlub
Aba`n bin Taghlub al-Rib’i al-Ku`fi was among the most brilliant Moslem scholars. He was among the most prominent Moslem jurisprudents. We will talk about some of his affairs:
____________
1. Al-Kashi.
( 464 )
His Birth and his early Life
He was born in Ku`fa, but our books have not mentioned the year of his birth. He grew up in Ku`fa, the capital of the Shi'ites. He was obedient to the members of the house
( ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, and loved them very much.
His Scientific Position
He was among the most prominent and brilliant scholars of his time. He reported traditions on the authority of Ima`m 'Ali b. al-Husayn, Abu` Ja'far, and Abu` 'Abd Allah, peace be on them. He had priority and
importance with them. Ima`m Abu` Ja'far said to him: "Sit down in the Mosque of Medina. Give religious opinions to the people. I like to see persons similar to you among my Shi'ites.
1
Aba`n was the foremost in all techniques of sciences of the Koran, jurisprudence, tradition, literature, language, and grammar.
2
His Obedience to the ahl al-Bayt
Aba`n was very obedient to the members of the House
(ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. He
learned their sciences and morals and proclaimed them among the people. That was at the time when the love for them was among the most intense disasters. For the Umayyads spared no effort to punish those who loved the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, and proclaimed their outstanding merits. However, Aba`n habituated himself to that. So, he suffered persecutions for them. His love for ahl al-Bayt was based on reason and proof, not on sentiments. He thought that the outstanding merits and high positions of the Companions (of the Prophet) were conditional on the obedience to the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. 'Abd al-Rahma`n b. al-Hajja`j reported. He said: "We were at the assembly of Aba`n b. Taghlub. Suddenly, a
young man came and said to him:
O Abu` Sa'id, tell me. How many of the Companions of the
____________
1. Mu'jam al-Adab, vol. 1, p. 108.
2. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 1, p. 20.
( 465 )
Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, followed 'Ali b. Abi Ta`lib?
Aba`n understood the young man’s purpose. So, he asked him:
"Do you want to know the outstanding merits of 'Ali through the Companions of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, who followed?"
"Yes," the young man replied.
Aba`n answered him with the answer of the one who was aware of the right of Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him. He said:
By Allah we have not known their outstanding merits but through obedience to him.
1
Aba`n passed by some people. The people blamed him, for he reported on the authority of Ima`m Ja'far, peace be on him. So, he mocked at them, saying:
"Why do you blame me for my reporting on the authority of the man whom I asked about every thing , and he said: 'Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said.’?
His Reliability
Aba`n was very pious. He devoted himself to the religion. Al-'Ajali said: "Aba`n was reliable.
2 Ahmed b. Hanbal, b. Na'im and Abu` Ha`tam regarded him as reliable. The proof for his reliability is that the Ima`ms, peace be on them, praised him. Salim b. Abu` Habba reported. He said: "I was with Abu` 'Abd Allah, peace be on him. Before I saw him off, I had said to him: I want you to supply me." So, he said: "Go to Aba`n b. Taghlub. For he has heard many traditions from me. What he narrates to you, then narrate it on my authority.
3
Safwa`n b. Yahya`` reported on the authority of Aba`n b. 'Uthma`n on the authority of Abu` 'Abd Allah, peace be on him, who said:
____________
1. Ibd, pp. 21-22. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 4.
2. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 1, p. 93.
3. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 1, p. 23.
( 466 )
"Aba`n b. Taghlub received thirty thousand traditions on my authority, then report them on my authority.
1
Aba`n b. Mohammed b. Aba`n reported. He said: [I heard my father say] "My father and I came to Abu` 'Abd Allah, peace be on him. When Abu` 'Abd Allah saw my father, he ordered a cushion to be brought for him. The cushion was brought for him. Then he shook hand with him and embraced him and greeted him.
2
When Aba`n came to Medina, the people gathered about him, and the praying-place of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, was emptied for him.
3
Al-Dhahabi said: "Aba`n was a steadfast Shi'ite. However, he was truthful. His truthfulness is for us. His heresy is for him.
4 Some people defamed him for his love for the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. Al-Jawza`ni said: "Aba`n was deviated (from the
truth). His doctrine was dispraised.
5 Such a group of people regarded the love for the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, as deviation from the truth. Without doubt, the love for the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, is part of Islam. Whoever denies them denies Islam. Whoever loves them believes in Islam.
His Books
As for his books, they show his wide knowledge and sciences. The following are some of them:
1. Tafsir Gharib al-Qur’an. He mentioned some examples from poetry concerning it. Then 'Abd al-Rahma`n b. Mohammed al-Azdi al-Ku`fi gathered in one book the book of Aba`n, of Mohammed b. al-Sa`iyib al-Kalbi, and of b. Rawa`q b. 'Atiya b. al-Harth.
____________
1. Al-Mu'jam, vol. 1, p. 22.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Mizan al-I'tidal, vol. 1, p. 5.
5. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 1, p. 20.
( 467 )
2. Al-Fada`’il.
1
3. Al-Usool fi al-Ruwaiya 'ala` Madhhab al-Shi'a.
2
His Death
Aba`n died in the year 264 A.H.
3 This is a mistake. For he died in the year 141 A.H. When Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, heard of his death, he became very sad. He praised him, saying: "By
Allah, the death of Aba`n b. Taghlub has hurt my heart.
4Abu` al-Bila`d said: "The death of Aba`n was a disaster for all Shi'ites everywhere.
5
Indeed Aba`n was the most knowledgeable of the Moslem main figures in the religion. So, his death was among the heaviest disasters that hit Islam.
2. Aba`n bin Abi 'Ayya`sh Fayru`z
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. He said that Aba`n was a weak narrator who belonged to the next generation.
6 Ibn al-Ghada`’iri said: "Aba`n bin Abi 'Ayya`sh was a narrator who belonged to the next generation. He reported on the authority of Anas b. Ma`lik. He reported on the authority of 'Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on him. He was weak. No one pays attention to him.
7 A large group of the traditionists regarded him as weak.
Yazid b. Ha`ru`n said: [Shu'ba said:] "If b.'Ayya`sh did not narrate false traditions, I would give my garments to the poor as alms.
8 Shu'ba said: "To drink from my donkey’s urine is more lovable with
____________
1. Ibn al-Nadim, Fihrast. Al-Tusi, Fihrast.
2. Ibn al-Nadim, Fihrast.
3. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 1, p. 94. In Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 1, p. 23, Aban died in the year 141 A.H. See also al-Tusi, Fihrast.
4. Mu'jam al-Udaba', vol, 1, p. 108.
5. Al-Imam al-Sadiq wa al-Madhahib al-Arba'a, vol. 3, p. 57.
6. Al-Tusi, Fihrast.
7. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith.
8. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 1, p. 90.
( 468 )
me than to say: Aba`n relates to me.
1
Many main traditionists dispraised and refused his traditions.
His Death
Aba`n bin Abi 'Ayya`sh Fayru`z died in the year 128 A. H. It was said that he died in a year other than this.
2
3. Ibra`him bin al-Azraq
Ibra`him bin al-Azraq was from Ku`fa. He sold food. Abu` Ja'far al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the men of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
3Ibra`him was an unknown Ima`mi (Shi'ite).
4. Ibra`him bin Abi al-Bila`d
Al-Naja`shi said: "Ibra`him bin Abi al-Bila`d: the real name of Abi al-Bila`d is Yahya`` b. Salim. It was said that he was the son of Sulayma`n, the retainer of b. 'Abd Allah b. 'Atfa`n. He was given the kunya of Abu` Yahya``. Abu` al-Bila`d was blind. He reported poetry. He reported (traditions) on the authority of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, and Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq).
4
5. Ibra`him bin Jamil
He was the brother of Tarba`l al-Ku`fi. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him. So did al-Barqi.
5
6. Ibra`him bin Hana`n
He was called al-Asadi al-Ku`fi. He lived in Wasit. Shaykh al-Tu`si and al-Barqi numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m
____________
1. Ibid.
2. Mizan al-I'tidal, vol. 1, p. 14.
3. Al-Fihrast.
4. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 1, p. 58.
5. Ibid, p. 79.
( 469 )
al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
1
7. Ibra`him bin Salih al-Anma`ti
In his book "al-Rija`l", Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. Ibra`him wrote books on the doctrine of the Ima`mi Shi'ites.
2
8. Ibra`him bin 'Abd Allah
He was called al-Ahmari. He reported traditions on the authority of Ima`m al-Ba`qir and Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on them. Sayf b. 'Umayra reported traditions on his authority.
3 He was unknown.
9. Ibra`him bin 'Ubayd
He was given the kunya of Abu` Ghurata al-Ansa`ri. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of al-Ba`qir and of al-Sa`diq, peace be on them.
4 Apparently, he was an Ima`mi Shi'ite. He was unknown.
5
10. Ibra`him bin 'Umar
He was called al-San`ani al-Yamani. Al-Naja`shi said: "Ibra`him was a shaykh. He was among our companions. He was reliable. He reported on the authority of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) and Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on them." Abu` al-'Abba`s and others mentioned that. He had a book. Hamma`d b. 'Isa` and others reported the book.
Ibn al-Ghada`’iri regarded Ibra`him as a weak narrator. However, our Professor said: "Ibra`him is reliable, for al-Naja`shi regarded him as reliable, and al-Qummi mentioned him in his chain of authorities.
6
____________
1. Al-Tusi, Fihrast.
2. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid. Lisan al-Mizan, vol. 1, p. 87.
5. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 25.
6. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 1, p. 126.
( 470 )
11. Ibra`him bin Mohammed
He was called al-Madani. Al-Naja`shi said: "Ibra`him reported on the authority of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) and Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on them. He devoted his life to them. For this reason,
the non-Shi'a regard him as a weak narrator.
"Some of our companions narrated on the authority of the non-Shi'a: 'Al-Waqidi plagiarized the books of Ibra`him b. Mohammed b. Abu` Yahya.’
1Ibn Hajar slandered him. It was reported on the authority of b. Abu` Maryam, who said: [I heard Yahya`` say:] "Ibra`him had three qualities: He was a liar.
He was a fatalist. He was a Rafidite.
2
Al-Sha`fi'i regarded Ibra`him as a reliable narrator, and reported on his authority. He said: "Ibra`him was far above lying. He was reliable in tradition.
3
However, Ibra`him was reliable and truthful.
12. Ibra`him bin Marthed
He was called al-Azdi. He was given the kunya of Abu` Sufya`n. He was one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
4 He was an Ima`mi Shi'ite. He was unknown.
13. Ibra`him bin Ma’a`dh
He was among the companions of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him. He reported on his authority the tradition of the agreement (ta’a`qid) among the people concerning these Words of Allah, the
Exalted: "Surely (as for) those who return on their backs after that guidance has become manifest to them.
5
____________
1. Ibid, vol. 3, p. 136.
2. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 1, p. 158.
3. Ibid, p.159.
4. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 1, p. 159.
5. Ibid, p. 161. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 34.
( 471 )
14. Ibra`him b. Ma'rad
He was called al-Ku`fi. He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. He reported on his authority and on the authority of Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him. Mansu`r b. Hazim and Husayn b. Mukhariq reported on the authority of Ibra`him.
1
15. Ibra`him b. Na'im
He was called al-Kina`ni. He was given the kunya of Abu` al-Saba`h. He was among the main companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. Ima`m Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, said to him: "You are a balance!" So, Ibra`him said to him: "May I be a ransom for you, perhaps, the balance has a pan." He said: "You are a balance without a pan.
2 Shaykh al-Mufid numbered him as one of the main jurists.
3
16. Abyad bin Aba`n
Yousif b. 'Abd al-Rahma`n mentioned him among those who narrated on the authority of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. We have not found his biography.
4
17. Ahmed bin 'A’idh bin Habib
He was called al-Ahmas al-Bajali. He was a reliable retainer. He was a vinegar monger. He had a book.
5 Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir and of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on them.
6
____________
1. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
2. Al-Kashi.
3. Al-Risala al'Adadiya.
4. Tahdhib al-Kamal, vol. 9, p. 2.
5. Al-Najashi.
6. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
( 472 )
18. Ahmed bin 'Umra`n
He was called al-Halabi. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
1 Al-Wahid mentioned that Ahmed belonged to a house famous for piety and
righteousness.
19. Isha`q bin 'Abd Allah
He was b. Abu` Talha al-Madani. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m 'Ali b. al-Husayn and of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on them.
2
20. Isha`q bin Bashir
He was called al-Nabba`l. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Abu` Ja`dar al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
3
21. Isha`q bin Ja'far b. 'Ali.
He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
4 He was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite.
22. Isha`q bin Nu`h
He was called al-Shami. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
5
23. Isha`q bin al-Fadl
b. Ya'qu`b b. al-Fadl b. 'Abd Allah b. al-Ha`rith b. Noufal b. al-Ha`rith b. 'Abd al-Muttalib. He reported on the authority of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) and Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on them.
6
____________
1.Ibid.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
( 473 )
24. Isha`q bin Yasa`r
He was the retainer of Qays b. Makhzama (Makhrama). Shaykh al-Tu`si and al-Barqi numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
1 Apparently, he was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite
25. Isha`q bin Yazid
He was called al-Ta`’i. He was given the kunya of Abu` Ya'qu`b. He was a retainer. He was one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
2
26. Isha`q bin Wa`sil al-Dabbi.
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on
him.
3
27. Isha`q al-Qummi
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on
him.
4
28. Isra`'il bin Ghayya`th al-Makki.
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on
him.
5
29. Isma`'il bin Zyya`d al-Bazzaz al-Ku`fi al-Asadi.
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on
him. He reported on his authority and on the authority of Ima`m Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him.
6
____________
1. Ibid.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 3, p. 131.
( 474 )
30. Isma`'il bin Ja`bir al-Ju'fi.
Al-Naja`shi said: "Isma`'il b. Ja`bir al-Ju'fi reported on the authority of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) and Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on them. It was he who reported the tradition of al-Ada`n. He had a book.
1 He reported about one hundred traditions on the authority of Ima`m al-Ba`qir
and of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on them.
2
A large group of narrators reported on his authority. Among them were Abu` Ayyu`b, b. Sina`n, b. Miska`n, Aba`n b. 'Abd al-Ma`lik, Hurayz, al-Hasan b. 'Atiya, and the like.
3
31. Isma`'il bin 'Abd Allah
He was b. Ja'far b. Abi Ta`lib al-Madani. He belonged to the next generation. He heard his father. He was one of the companions of Ima`m al-Sajja`d and of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on them. He was among those who reported on their authority.
4
32. Isma`'il bin 'Abd al-Rahma`n
He was called al-Ju'fi al-Ku`fi. He belonged to the next generation. He reported on the authority of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) and of Ima`m Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on them. He was a jurist. Al-Naja`shi said: "Isma`'il was one of our main companions. His father and his uncles, of whom Isma`'il was the most prominent, lived in a house in Ku`fa. They belonged to Ju'f. They were called the banu (sons of) Abu` Sibra.
5
33. Isma`'il bin Sulayma`n
He was called al-Azraq. He was given the kunya of Abu` Kha`lid.
____________
1. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 3, p. 112.
2. Ibid, p. 117.
3. Ibid, p. 119.
4. Ibid, p. 147.
5. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 137.
( 475 )
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
1
34. Isma`'il al-Ka`tib
He was given the kunya of Abu` Ahmed. He reported on the authority of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him. His son Ahmed reported on his authority.
2
35. Aslam bin Ayman
He was called al-Timimi, al-Manqari, al-Ku`fi. He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
3
36. Aslam al-Qauwa`s
He was called al-Makki. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir and of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on them.
4
37. Usayd bin al-Qa`sim
He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him. Al-Toosi said: " Usayd bin al-Qa`sim was called al-Kina`ni al-Ku`fi.
5
38. Isma`'il bin 'Abd al-Kha`liq
Al-Naja`shi said: " Isma`'il b. 'Abd al-Kha`liq b. 'Abd Rabba b. Abu` Maymuna b. Yasa`r was the master of the banu (sons of) Asad. He was one of our main companions. He was among our jurists. He was among the house of the Shi'ites. His uncles (Shaha`b, 'Abd al-Rahim,
____________
1. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
2. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 3, p. 202.
3. Ibid, p. 87.
4. Ibid, p. 208.
5. Ibid, p. 208.
( 476 )
and Wahab) and his father, 'Abd al-Kha`liq, were all reliable. He reported on the authority of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) and of Abu`’Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on them.
1
39. Isma`'il bin 'Abd al-'Aziz
He was among the companions of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him.
2
He came to Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him. The Ima`m, peace be on him, said to him: "Bring me water to perform wudu`." He brought him water and began talking himself into the Ima`m. So, the Ima`m looked at him and said to him: "O Isma`'il, do not glorify. Rather, regard us as created servants and say concerning us whatever you want.
40. Isma`'il bin 'Abd al-Rahma`n
He was b. Abu` Karima al-Saddi al-Ku`fi.
3 Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. Isma`'il explained the Koran.
4
41. Isma`'il bin al-Fadl
He was b. Ya'qu`b b. al-Fadl b. 'Abd Allah b. al-Ha`rith b. Noufal b. al-Ha`rith. He was reliable. He was from Basrah. He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
5
42. A'yun al-Razi
He was given the kunya of Abu` Ma'a`dh. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
6 He was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite.
____________
1. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 136.
2. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
3. Tanqih al- Maqal, vol. 1, p. 137.
4. Al-Tusi, Rijal. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 137.
5. Ibid. Tanqih al- Maqal, vol. 1, p. 141.
( 477 )
43. Anas bin Taghlub
He was given the kunya of Abu` Sa'id. He was called al-Bakri al-Hariri. He was one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
1
44. Anas bin 'Amru`
He was called al-Azdi. He was one of the companions of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir),
peace be on him.
2He was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite.
3
45. Ayyu`b bin Bakr
He was b. Abu` 'Alla`jj al-Mousili. He was one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
4 He was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite.
46. Ayyu`b bin Abu` Tamima
He was called Kaysa`n al-Sijista`ni al-'Anbari (al-'Anzi) (al-Ghanawi) al-Basri. He was given the Kunya of Abu` Bakr. He was the retainer of 'Amma`r b. Ya`sir, who was also a retainer. So, Ayyu`b was the retainer of a retainer. He shaved his hair once a year. When his hair become long , he parted it. He saw Anas b.
Ma`lik. He died of plague in Basrah in the year 131 A.H. He was one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
47. Ayyu`b bin Shaha`b
He was b. Zayd al-Barqi al-Azdi. He was their retainer from Ku`fa. He was one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
6 He was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite.
____________
1. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 3, p. 232.
2. Ibid.
3. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 154.
4. Al-Tusi, Rijal, Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 158.
5. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 158.
6. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
(478)
48. Ayyu`b Washika
He was one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.1 He was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite.
49. Badr bin al-Khalil
The people surnamed him al-Asadi. They gave him the kunya of Abu` al-Khalil. He reported on the authority of Ima`m al-Ba`qir and of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on them.2 Tha'laba b. Maymu`n reported on his authority.
50. Burd al-Iska`fi
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. He reported on his authority and on the authority of Ima`m Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on them.3 He had a book.4
51. Burd al-Khayya`t
He was from Ku`fa. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.5 He reported on the authority of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on them. The traditionists said that he did not report from him.6Apparently, he was an Ima`mi Shi'ite.
52. Barid al-Khayya`t
Al-Barqi numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.7
____________
1. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 160.
2. Ibid, p. 161.
3. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
4. Al-Najashi.
5. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
6. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 164.
7. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
( 479 )
53. Barid al-Kanasi
1
He reported on the authority of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far, peace be on him. Hisha`m b. Sa`lim reported on his auothority.
2
54. Barid bin Mu'a`wiya
Al-Naja`shi said: "Barid was b. Mu'a`wiya. The people gave him the kunya of Abu` al-Qa`sim. They called him al-Bajali. He was an Arab. He reported on the authority of Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq) and Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) peace be on them. He died during the lifetime of Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him. He was one of our main companions. He was also a jurist. He occupied an important position with the Ima`ms." Ahmed b. Al-Husayn said: "I saw Barid’s book. 'Ali b. 'Aqaba b. Kha`lid al-Asadi reported the book on his authority.
3
The Shi'ites have unanimously agreed on Barid’s truthfulness and his knowledge of jurisprudence. Jamil b. Darra`jj reported. He said: [I heard Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, say:] "The stakes of the earth and the signposts of the religion are four (persons). They are Mohammed b. Moslem, Barid b. Mu'a`wiya, Layth b. al-Bakhtari al-Mura`di, and Zara`ra b. A'yun." Da`u`wd b. Sarha`n reported. He said: [I heard Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on him, say:] "I relate traditions to my companions. I prevent them from analogy. Then they leave me. They explain my traditions contrary to my explanations. I have ordered a group of them to talk. Meanwhile I have prevented another group from talking. However, both groups explain my traditions according to their explanations. So, they disobey Allah, the Most High, and His Apostle. If my companions had listened and obeyed, I would have supplied them with knowledge as my father did. My father's
companions were an ornament before and after their death. I mean Zara`ra, Mohammed b. Moslem, Layth al-Mura`di, and Barid al-'Ajali. It is they who are just and truthful.
4 Other narrations
____________
1. He was called al-Kanasi, for he lived at Kanasa, a famous district in Kufa.
2. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
3. Al-Najashi.
4. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 3, pp. 280-284.
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praised Barid. They showed his high position with the Ima`ms, peace be on them. Other narrations slandered him. However, our Professor contested the chain of the authorities of these narrations. He proved that some people had fabricated them.
1
55. Bassa`m bin 'Abd Allah
>The people called him al-Sayrafi. He was the chief of the Asadis. He reported on the authority of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) and of Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on them. He had a book.
2 Al-Mansu`r killed him, for he obeyed the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt),
peace be on them.
56. Bashsha`r al-Aslami
He was among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
3 He was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite.
57. Bishro bin Ja'far
The people surnamed him al-Ju'fi. They gave him the kunya of Abu` al-Walid. He was one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. Ahmed b. al-Ha`rith al-Anma`ti reported on his authority.
4 He was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite.
58. Bishr bin Khath'am
He was one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
5 He was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite.
____________
1. Ibid.
2. Al-Njashi.
3. Al-Tusi, Rijal.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
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59. Bishr bin Abi 'Aqaba
The people called him al-Mada'ini. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
1
60. Bishr bin 'Abd Allah
The people surnamed him al-Khath'ami al-Ku`fi. He was one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
2
61. Bishr bin Maymu`n
The people called him al-Wa`bishi, al-Hamada`ni, al-Nabba`l, and al-Ku`fi. He was the brother of Shajara. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
3
62. Bishr bin Yasa`r
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
4
63. Bishr Bayya` al-Zatti
Shaykh al-Tu`si and al-Barqi numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
5Apparently, he was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite.
64. Bishr al-Rahha`l
Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
6 Al-Barqi also numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him. The people called al-Rahha`l (traveler), for he traveled fifty times to perform
____________
1. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 3, p. 306.
2. Al-Tusi, Rijal. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 173.
3. Al-Tusi, Rijal, Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 1, p. 173.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
( 482 )
pilgrimages (to Mecca) and to make raids (against the atheists).
1
65. Bashir al-Ju'fi
The people gave him the kunya of Abu` al-Mustanir. They called him al-Azraq. He sold food. He was among the companions of Imam al-Baqir, peace be on him.
2 Apparently, he was an unknown Ima`mi Shi'ite.
66. Bashir Abu` 'Abd al-Samed
He was b. Bishr al-Ku`fi. He reported on the authority of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) and Abu` 'Abd Allah (al-Sa`diq), peace be on them. 'Ali b. al-Hasan b. Fadda`l mentioned him among the companions of Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him.
3
