Al-Tahawi facts for kids

Abū Jaʿfar Aḥmad aṭ-Ṭaḥāwī, often called at-Tahawi, was an important Islamic scholar. He lived from 853 to 933 CE. He was an Egyptian Arab who became a famous expert in Islamic law (called fiqh) and beliefs (called aqidah). At first, he followed the Shafi'i school of thought. Later, he changed to the Hanafi school. He is well-known for his book, al-'Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah. This book explains Sunni Islamic beliefs and was very important for Hanafi followers in Egypt.

Who Was At-Tahawi?

At-Tahawi's full name was Abu Ja'far Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Salamah. He was from the Azdi tribe. He was known as al-Misri because he was Egyptian. He was also called al-Tahawi after his birthplace, and al-Hanafi because he followed the Hanafi school of thought.

His Early Life and Studies

Aṭ-Ṭaḥāwī was born in 853 CE (239 AH) in a village called Ṭaḥā in upper Egypt. He came from a wealthy Arab family. He started his studies with his mother's brother, Ismāʿīl ibn Yaḥyā al-Muzanī. His uncle was a top student of ash-Shāfiʿī, a famous Islamic scholar.

Changing Schools of Thought

Around the age of 20, in 873 CE, aṭ-Ṭaḥāwī made a big decision. He decided to leave the Shāfiʿī school of law. Instead, he chose to follow the Ḥanafī school. Historians give different reasons for this change. The most likely reason is that the teachings of Abū Ḥanīfa made more sense to him.

His Advanced Education

After changing schools, aṭ-Ṭaḥāwī studied with Aḥmad ibn Abī ʿImrān al-Ḥanafī. This scholar was the leader of the Ḥanafīs in Egypt. Aḥmad ibn Abī ʿImrān had studied with Abū Ḥanīfa's main students. These students were Abū Yūsuf and Muḥammad ash-Shaybānī.

In 882 CE, aṭ-Ṭaḥāwī traveled to Syria to learn even more. There, he studied Ḥanafī law with Abū Khāzim ʿAbd al-Ḥamīd ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz. Abū Khāzim was the chief judge (called qāḍi) of Damascus.

His Influence and Students

Aṭ-Ṭaḥāwī became very knowledgeable in both Ḥanafī law and ḥadīth. Ḥadīth are sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad. Because of his deep knowledge, many students came to learn from him. They wrote down his ḥadīth and copied his books. Some of his famous students included al-Da'udi and aṭ-Ṭabarānī. Aṭ-Ṭabarānī is well-known for his books about ḥadīth transmitters.

Aṭ-Ṭaḥāwī was famous for his skills during his lifetime. Many of his books are still important today. These include Kitāb Maʿāni al-Āthār and ʿAqīdah aṭ-Ṭaḥāwīyyah. Sunni Muslims still highly respect these works.

His Passing

Aṭ-Ṭaḥāwī passed away on November 5, 933 CE (14th of Dhū-l Qaʿdah, 321 AH). He was buried in al-Qarāfah, a famous cemetery in Cairo.

At-Tahawi's Lasting Impact

Many scholars who lived at the same time as aṭ-Ṭaḥāwī praised him. They saw him as a trustworthy scholar and a good narrator of ḥadīth. He was known as a brilliant and productive writer. He became known as the most learned expert in Islamic law among the Ḥanafīs in Egypt. This was true even though he knew about all the different schools of thought (called madhāhib).

His book, ʿAqīdah aṭ-Ṭaḥāwīyyah, has had a huge impact. More than fifteen books have been written to explain it. These include explanations by the Hanafi scholar Ismail ibn Ibrahim al-Shaybani and Ibn Abi al-Izz.

His Important Books

Aṭ-Ṭaḥāwī wrote many books, almost forty in total. Some of them are still available today. Here are a few of his well-known works:

• Maʿāni al-Āthār (معاني الآثار)
• al-ʿAqīdah aṭ-Ṭaḥāwīyyah (العقيدة الطحاوية)
• Aḥkām al-Qur’ān al-Karīm (أحكام القرآن الكريم)
• Al-Mukhtaṣar fil-Furūʿ (المختصر في الفروع)
• Sharḥ Mushkil al-Āthār (شرح مشكل الآثار)
• Sharḥ Maʿāni al-Āthār (شرح معاني الآثا)
• Sharḥ al-Jāmiʿ al-Kabīr (شرح الجامع الكبير)
• Sharḥ al-Jāmiʿ aṣ-Ṣaghīr (شرح الجامع الصغير)
• Ash-Shurūṭ aṣ-Ṣaghīr (الشروط الصغير)
• Ash-Shurūṭ al-Kabīr (الشروط الكبير)
• Ikhtilāf al-ʿUlamā’ (إختلاف العلماء)
• ʿUqūd al-Marjān fī Manāqib Abī Ḥanīfa an-Nuʿmān (عقود المرجان في مناقب أبي حنيفة النعمان)
• Tārīkh al‑Kabīr (تاريخ الكبير)
• Ḥukm Arāḍi Makkah al-Mukarramah (حكم أراضي مكة المكرمة)

See Also

• Islamic scholars