PART I : Biografi Imam An Nasa'i

Summary

This video delves into the biography of Imam an-Nasa'i, a key figure in Islamic scholarship. Born in 215 Hijri, Imam an-Nasa'i was a prominent hadith scholar and compiler, best known for his contributions to the Sunan an-Nasa'i. The video highlights his early education, his mentorship under scholars like Imam Qutaibah bin Sa'id, and his extensive travels for learning. It also discusses his role as a judge and his deep knowledge in Islamic jurisprudence, hadith, and qira'at. Despite being the youngest among the six major hadith compilers, Imam an-Nasa'i's legacy remains influential, particularly for his profound expertise in hadith transmission and his integrity in maintaining high standards for authentic narrations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Imam an-Nasa'i's full name is Abu Abdurrahman Ahmad bin Shu'aib al-Khurasani an-Nasa'i, and he is known for his deep knowledge of hadith and fiqh.
• 😀 He was born in 215 Hijri, making him the youngest of the six major scholars who compiled the 'Kutub al-Sittah' (The Six Major Hadith Collections).
• 😀 Imam an-Nasa'i was raised in Nasa, located in modern-day Turkmenistan, which influenced his surname 'an-Nasa'i'.
• 😀 He was a student of Imam Qutaibah bin Sa'id, who was an influential scholar of hadith and tutored several major scholars like Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim, and others.
• 😀 Despite his younger age, Imam an-Nasa'i's scholarship was highly respected, and he studied under over 400 teachers across various regions, including Iraq, Hijaz, Syria, and Egypt.
• 😀 Imam an-Nasa'i also studied qira'at (recitation of the Qur'an) and was known for his expertise in this field alongside his work in hadith and fiqh.
• 😀 There is a debate about Imam an-Nasa'i's madhhab (school of thought), with some suggesting he followed the Shafi'i madhhab, though this is not universally agreed upon.
• 😀 Imam an-Nasa'i had a long life, living until around 303 Hijri, and his deep knowledge and high sanad (chain of narration) made him highly influential in the field of hadith.
• 😀 He was once accused of being a Shi'a due to his writings on the virtues of Ali ibn Abi Talib, but he responded with a work that defended the Sunni perspective and refuted these claims.
• 😀 Imam an-Nasa'i had a rich personal life, including having multiple wives, and his lifestyle was considered more affluent compared to some of his contemporaries, like Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal.
• 😀 A notable story from his life includes being expelled from a gathering by his teacher, Al-Harith bin Miskin, because of a misunderstanding regarding his appearance, yet he continued to learn and maintain his ethics as a scholar.

Q & A

Who was Imam an-Nasa'i and what is his full name?

Imam an-Nasa'i's full name is Abu Abdurrahman Ahmad bin Syu'aib bin Ali bin Sinan al-Khurasani an-Nasa'i al-Qolbi. He is best known for compiling the hadith collection 'Sunan an-Nasa'i.'

Why is Imam an-Nasa'i called 'an-Nasa'i'?

Imam an-Nasa'i is called 'an-Nasa'i' because he was born in the city of Nasa, which is located in the region of Khurasan. The term 'Nasa'i' refers to his place of origin.

What distinguishes Imam an-Nasa'i from other scholars in terms of his career?

Imam an-Nasa'i was a judge (Hakim) in two cities, Homs in Syria and in Egypt, which signifies his deep knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and his authority in legal matters during the time of the Caliphate.

At what age did Imam an-Nasa'i begin his journey of seeking knowledge?

Imam an-Nasa'i began seeking knowledge at the age of 15 when he traveled to study under Imam Qutaybah bin Sa'id, a renowned scholar of hadith.

Which other famous scholars were contemporaries and teachers of Imam an-Nasa'i?

Imam an-Nasa'i studied under several prominent scholars, including Imam Qutaybah bin Sa'id, Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Imam Abu Zur'ah al-Razi, and Imam Yahya bin Ma'in.

How did Imam an-Nasa'i's knowledge and scholarship gain such high esteem?

Imam an-Nasa'i's scholarship gained high esteem due to his early start in seeking knowledge, his diligent study with numerous senior scholars, and his ability to compile authentic hadiths. He had more than 400 teachers and was known for his precise understanding of Islamic sciences.

What were some of the key subjects that Imam an-Nasa'i excelled in?

Imam an-Nasa'i was a master in hadith, Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), and Quranic recitation (qira'at). He was known for his vast knowledge in these fields, and he even taught qira'at to his students.

What is Imam an-Nasa'i's relationship to the Shafi'i school of thought?

While there is no definitive evidence linking Imam an-Nasa'i to a specific madhhab, some scholars like Ibn al-Athir suggested that Imam an-Nasa'i leaned towards the Shafi'i madhhab, particularly due to his writings on hajj rituals, which are in line with the Shafi'i perspective.

Why was Imam an-Nasa'i accused of being a Shi'ah, and how did he respond?

Imam an-Nasa'i was accused of being a Shi'ah because of his book 'Khasais Ahl al-Fadilah,' which highlighted the virtues of Ali. To refute the accusation, he wrote another book, 'Fadulus-Sahabah,' in which he praised all the Sahabah, thereby defending his stance.

What are some interesting facts about Imam an-Nasa'i's personal life?

Imam an-Nasa'i lived a relatively prosperous life, having four wives and enjoying a comfortable lifestyle. Despite his success, he was known for his piety and deep devotion to seeking knowledge. His physical appearance was noted for being vibrant, leading to speculation that he consumed 'Nabeel' (fermented dates), though he denied this.