The Shadowless Prophet (saw)

The Shadowless Prophet
Sayyidina Muhammad
صلى الله عليه وسلم
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We are living in a world of uncertainty and misconceptions. Some people are posing questions that attack the very roots of our beliefs about Allah Almighty and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم , attempting to create doubt in the minds of the unsuspecting Muslims.


Quote:
Wahabi/Salafi
^Wahabi
Quote Wahabi says:
“I have not come accross a good reasoning as yet. There have been stories and concepts like a concept that Prophet did not have a shadow.
 
Now this is kind of weird, its not possible that Prophet did not have a shadow and the world didn't know of it.
Like all the non-muslim honest historians very clearly know that Huzoor was Honest and True in chanracter and behavior, (Sadiq and Ameen).
How did historians know about the honesty and truth of the Prophet , of course they travelled and did their research.
And then imagine a man who does not cast a shadow in sun it would be the news of the news to the mankind and those who managed to know that He was honest and true would certainly also know and "Document" that this Honest and True man did not also have a shadow.
You see brother such flasehood makes me think the way not to believe any argument brought forward by you people on this topic."

[End of Quote]


^His Western historians such as A.J. Wensinck and Denis Gril... reject the historicity of the splitting of the moon miracle of the Holy Prophet(S)!
MATERIALIST philosophers and their absurd imitators, who attempt to cast a shadow over such a moon-like miracle of The Holy Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) by vicious misgivings, say,
"If the splitting of the moon had occurred, it would have been known to the whole world and narrated on all the books of history."
Go and see:
The incident relating to King Chakrawati Farmas is documented in an old manuscript in the India Office Library, London, which has reference number: Arabic, 2807, 152-173.
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Today misguided intellectuals tried to heap insults on the luminous personality of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم by questioning the extent of his knowledge whereas the commentators of the Holy Qur'an maintain that in terms of knowledge, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلمis the sun and all the other prophets are planets orbitting about him.
The majority of scholars of Islam maintain that the Prophet's knowledge constitutes of what was, what is and what will be. Others deny that Allah created him as light and a source of light.
Now another group has sprung up, seeking recognition by using scientific knowledge as the basis for Iman (faith). Anything contrary to their understanding of science is discarded from their principles of faith.
In this world there are two types of blind folk--those who are born without sight; and those who have vision, but refuse to see the light.
It is to educate this group that the Holy Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم had said:
"Where science ends, my Religion begins".
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Miracles of Earlier Prophets
The Holy Qur'an speaks of many miracles which are beyond the imagination of those who are tied to the cudgels of science, as they cannot be explained through scientific exposition.
Some examples of these are:-
1. According to science, the quality of fire is to burn. Yet, when Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) was hurled into it at the command of Nimrud, not a single hair of this great Prophet of Allah was destroyed.
2. Scientific data explains that iron can only melt under great heat, yet this same iron melted in the hands of Sayyidina Dawud (as).
3. Leprosy, blindness, etc. according to science are virtually incurable illnesses, yet a mere touch of the blessed hand of Sayyidina `Isa (as) cured the victims of these. Even more incredible is the restoration of the eyesight of Sayyidina Ya`qub (as) by touching the shirt of Sayyidina Yusuf (as).
Can these people who are influenced by the new innovators in religion, the Wahabi/Salafimovement, deny the veracity of these miracles?
If these are possible, then why is it difficult to accept the miracle that the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not possess a shadow?
Do they have any conclusive proof from a single hadith to prove the contrary ?
On the contrary, there is authenticated proof from the ahadith of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and from the writings of great and authentic scholars of Islam which show beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم did not possess a shadow.
From Hadith

Hadith 1: Sayyidina Hakeem Tirmidhi in his book Nawaadirul-Usool narrates from Sayyidina Zakwaan http://www.sunnah.org/images/radiya.gif, a close Companion of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم , the following Hadith: "The shadow of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم could not be seen in the brightness of the sun, nor in moonlight".
Hadith 2: Allamah Ibn al-Jawzi in his Kitabul-Wafa narrates a hadith from Sayyidina Abdullah ibn Abbas http://www.sunnah.org/images/radiya.gif the cousin of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمin which he said: "The Messenger of Allah had no shadow, not while standing in the sun, but the brilliance of his light (nur) surpassed the rays of the sun; nor while sitting before a burning light, but his luminous light excelled the lustre of the light".
Hadith 3: Imam Nasafi in his Tafseer Madaarik narrates from Sayyidina Uthman ibn Affan http://www.sunnah.org/images/radiya.gif, the son-in-law of the Prophet http://www.sunnah.org/images/salla.gif that he said to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم : "Allah Almighty does not let your shadow fall on the ground, so that no foot of man can fall on it".
Hadith 4: Imam Jalaludeen Suyuti in his Khasaa'is al-Kubra narrates from Ibn Saba http://www.sunnah.org/images/radiya.gif: "This is also a unique feature of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم that his shadow did not touch the ground, because he was light (nur), and when he used to walk in the sunshine his shadow could not be seen."
From Scholars
Having read the words of those who had lived with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and had closely watched his every action, we shall now turn to some great scholars of Islam, whose writings are considered most authentic in Islamic affairs. Pay heed to these to dispel any doubts that you may have regarding the subject. All these great scholars firmly believed that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not possess a shadow.
Qadi Iyad (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) :
Imam Qadi Iyad in his Ash-Shifa states:"The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not possess a shadow in the brightness of the sun or in the moonlight, because he was light (nur)".

Imam Ahmad Qastalani (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu)
Imam Ahmad Qastalani states in Al-Mawahibul-laduniyya: "That the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not possess a shadow in the brightness of the sun or moonlight is proven from the ahadith of Tirmidhi of Ibn Zakwaan and Ibn Saba http://www.sunnah.org/images/radiya.gif."
Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlvi (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu)
Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlvi states in Madaarij an-nubuwwah: "The Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلم shadow did not appear in sunshine nor in moonlight".
Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu)
Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi in his Mathnawi states: "Let alone the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم , even if an ordinary servant of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمreaches the stage of inner mortality (baqa), then like the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, his shadow too disappears"
Hazrat Hakeem Tirmidi (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) in his book "Nawaa Da Rul Usool" narrates a tradition fromHazrat Zakwaan (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu)"The shadow of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) could not be seen in the brightness of the sun, nor in moonlight."
Seyedena Abdullah Ibn Mubarak and Haafiz Ibn Jouzi narrate from Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas(radiyallahu ta'ala anhu): "The Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) did not possess a shadow, neither in the brightness of the sun, nor in the brightness of a light, but His brightness used to overpower the brightness of the sun and the brightness of a light."
Imaam Nasafi in his Tafseer Madaarik Shareef narrates from Hazrat Usman Ibn Uthman (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu)Hazrat Usman said to the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) that "Almighty Allah does not let your shadow fall on the ground, so that no man's foot can be placed on it."
Hazrat Imam Suyutwi (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) in his "Khasaai's Kubra"narrates from
Ibn Saba (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu)
"Ibn Saba has stated that this is also a unique feature of the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) that his shadow should not touch the ground, because he was Nur, and when he used to walk in the sunshine his shadow could not be seen.”
Some scholars have said that this phenomenon proves the tradition in which the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) once supplicated to the Almighty Allah: "O Allah make me Nur(light)" The above traditions quite categorically prove that the belief that the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) did not have a shadow is not mere here say but a fact proven from tradition.
Indeed there will be some who will completely refute the traditions, but we should remember that this belief is an accepted fact in every generation of the scholars of Islam as we shall shortly see.
The Belief of the Preceding Great Scholars
Imaam Jalaludeen Suyutwi (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu)states: "The statement which has been made about the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) not possesing a shadow, even in the brightness of the sun or in the moonlight, the reason thereof being that he was nur (light).
Allama Shahabudeen Khafaaji (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu)states: For reasons of respect and greatness of the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) shadow should not touch the ground, although it is in the shadow of the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) that all mankind sleeps, what is more startling than this. Indeed for this the Quranic injunction is sufficient which states that the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) is a perspicious light and indeed by not having a shadow it does not mean he is not also bashr (a human being).
Imaam Allama Ahmed Qastalaani (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) states: "It has been stated that the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) did not posses a shadow in the brightness of the sun or in the moonlight as narrated by Tirmidi stated by Ibn Zakwaan. Ibn Saba has stated that the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) was nur(light) when he used to walk in the sunshine or moonlight his shadow did not appear.
Allama Husain Ibn Muhamed Dayaar Bakri(radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) states: "The Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) shadow should not appear on the earth neither was it seen in the sunshine nor in the moonlight."
Imam Allama Ibn Hajar makki (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu)states: "To substantiate that the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) was nur, is that his shadow should not appear in the sunshine nor in the moonlight. For indeed shadow emanates from that which is dense and the Almighty Allah created him from all that is pure of density, he was created as pure nur(light) because of which his shadow should not appear."
Allama Sulayman Jamal (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) states:"The Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) shadow should not appear in sunshine nor in the moonlight."
Imaam Rabbani Mujaddid Alif Saani (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) states: "The Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) did not posses a shadow. The reason being that in the Aalme Shahaadat everything's shadow is much more lighter than that material, and it is the greatness of the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) that nothing is lighter than him so how can he have a shadow."
Allama Shaikh Mohamed Tahir states: "Among the names of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) one is also nur and its uniqueness is that his shadow should not appear when he used to walk in the sunshine or moonlight."
Imamul Aarifeen Moulana Jalaaludeen Rumi(radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) states:
"When a fakir reaches the stage of inner mortality, then like the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) his shadow disappears."
Zakwan (a ta’bi’i) (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) narrates that “the shadow of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) did not show in the sun nor did it became apparent in the moonlight.”
(Recorded by al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi (and not the famous Hadith master Imam Abu Eisa al-Tirmidhi) in his Nawadir al-Usul. See: al-Khasa’is al-Kubrah of Imam Suyuti, 1/164)
Qadhi Iyadh al-Maliki states: “The statement which has been made regarding the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) not possessing a shadow in the brightness of the sun or in the moonlight, is due to the fact that he was light (nur).” (al-Shifa, p. 462, no. 1126)

“Some of the Prophet’s Companions were given to see this light as even brighter than both the sun and moon, for when they walked with him they noticed that he cast no shadow on the ground.”
(al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi)
Allamah Imam Nasafi (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) writes:Hazrat Uthman (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu) came to the Holy Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wasallam) and said, "Allah did not put your shadow on the Earth in case someone trod upon it".(Tafseer-e-Madarik)
Hazrat Hakeem Tirmizi narrates from Hazrat Zakwaan Tabi'ee (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu): "The shadow of the blessed Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wasallam) didn't show in the sun nor did it became apparent in the moonlight". (Khasaais-e-Kubra)
Imam ibn Hajar Makki al-Haytami (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu)
Imam Haytami writes: "He became light to the extent that if he walked in sunlight or moonlight he did not have a shadow. The reason is that shadows pertain only to dense bodies whereas he has been purified by Allah from all the bodily attributes of denseness and he has turned him into light unadulterated and pure, and entirely devoid of shadow." (Sharh Qaseedah Hamziyyah, Afdalul Qurra)
Imam Burhanuddin al-Halabi (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu)
Imam Halabi writes:"If he walked in sunlight or in moonlight he had no shadow because he was light."(Seerat-ul-Halbiyah) 

Imam Rabbani Mujaddid-e-Alfi Thaani (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu)
Imam Rabbani writes: "Indeed the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) did not have a shadow. This is because in this world, the shadow of a being is always more fine than the actual being itself and in this universe, there is nothing more fine than the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam), hence, how could it be possible that he possessed a shadow"? (Maktubaat Shareef, Vol.3, p.187, Lucknow)


Shah Abdul `Azeez Muhaddith-e-Dehlwi (radiyallahu ta'ala anhu)
Shah Abdul `Azeez writes concerning the Shadowless Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam):

"His (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) shadow did not fall upon the Earth". (Tafseer-e-`Azeezi)
Imam Qazi Ayaaz in his ASH-SHIFA states: "The Holy Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim did not possess a shadow in the brightness of the sun or in the moonlight, because he was Noor (light)".

Imam al-Zurqani also states that Imams Ibn al-Jawziand Abd Allah ibn al-Mubarak have reported on the authority of Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) did not have a shadow. (See: Sharh al-Zurqani, 7/200)
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The following quote of Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi is presented so that our Deobandi brothers can take a second glance attheir beliefs regarding the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) in light of their Imam's quote:
Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi writes,

"The Prophet was made of Noor. All things apart from Noor have a shadow and because of the Prophet's Nooraniyat (light), he did not possess a shadow".
(Imdad-us-Sulook)

Those Deobandis who revere and honour Maulana Gangohi should inspect their creed and thereafter alter it so that it is in line with the above quotation of his.

Dear Muslims! In light of the aforementioned, we must not consider ourselves to be from the minority when believing the Dear Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) to be Noor and shadowless. Rather, it is those who deny the light of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) who are from the minority and have arisen with their beliefs recently. Our belief in the Noor-e-Muhammadi is as old as Islam whereas the belief that the Prophet(sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) is a normal human being like any other is an innovation.

"Its not a question of believing or not believing. If one sees "the reason" one would definitely believe also.
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Another Wahabi/Salafi
Questions:
"Was Prophet Muhammad a "Noor" or "Bashar", and
is it true that he had no shade even in light?."
Quote:
from wahabi/salafi Q&A
Wahabi Committee:
^
The Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas
was asked the following question:
“...Is this hadeeth saheeh which says that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had no shadow?"
They replied:
“This view is false and goes against the texts of the Qur’aan and the saheeh Sunnah which indicate that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was human and did not differ in his human make-up from other people. He had a shadow like any other human. The Prophethood with which Allaah honoured him did not alter the fact that he was human as Allaah created him, with a father and mother. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Say (O Muhammad): I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (God ___i.e. Allaah)”[al-Kahf 18:110]
“Their Messengers said to them: We are no more than human beings like you”[Ibraaheem 14:11]
With regard to the report that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was created from the light of Allaah, this is a fabricated hadeeth. End quote.
[Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 1/464 ]
[End of Quote]
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The Companion, Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, described how, when the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, first entered Madina, everything in Madina became illuminated, then how, when he died and was buried in ‘A’isha’s house, the light disappeared. The phenomenon was so sudden that the Companions were taken aback and began to doubt whether they had really seen it at all. [Ahmad and ibn Majah.]
Read more: Here
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Also read:
Which Light (Nur)?
and
The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)
is
Noor-ul-Bashar
(both Noor and Human)
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The Wahabis present the following ayaah to suggest that He (PBUH) is a man like us:
'say: I am a man (bashar) like you, it is revealed (WAHI) to me that your god is One God'.
(41:6)
This is one ayaah from the Quran and the differentia of revelation(wahi) would have been enough for its sincere understanding, nevertheless, topical exegesis(tafseer mauzoey) means to read all the ayaat of the Quran and sahih hadith about a single concept and then make a judgement.

First of all ayaah is saying I'm like you and NOT you are like Me!

Imam Razi (d.606) in Tafseer Kabir says: "Allah commanded the Prophet (PBUH) to set an example for modesty and humility (tawazo) that is the purpose of the ayaah".

The reason for this is that 'your god is One God' this ayah came to SAVE tauheed and not to demean Prophethood because look, Quran says that jews called Uzair(A) son of God (9:30), why because He performed miracles, which they could not comprehend. Imagine the untold miracles Rasool Allah(S) performed so there was a danger that these people would call him God so Allah(S) revealed the ayaah with Your God is One at the end of it.

First person to focus upon Prophets being bashar was theshaytan himself, more details in the Quran. Remember, we are looking at all ayaat on 'Missal'(likeness) and 'Bashar'(Man like us).

Allah subhan wa Taalah says:
Every animal on earth or in the sky, who are umma like(amsaal:plural of missal) you.(6:38).
Therefore if animals are our missal as Allah(S) is saying then why don’t you Wahabis/Deobandis say that you are like pigs and pigs are like you?
Although there are many more ayaat like this but this much is sufficient for now. in hadith literature also you will find that Rahmat ul AAlameen(صلى الله عليه وسلم) frequently said that you are NOT like Me, with the word missal, for example:
Sahih Bukhari and Tirmazi report that: Indeed, you are not like Me (missal).'inni lasto misslokum'.

Again in Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawoodyou are not like Me 'ayyokum missli'

Nasai and Tirmazi:
Imam Ali says: “There is no one like Mohammed Mustafa(S)”[Khasais- e- Kubra]

Again in Bukhari and Muslim: I am not like you, I am given food and water. 'inni lasto misslokum inni ut-ema wa usqa' these are just a sample out of many more similar ahadith.

All Ayaat and Hhadith contain word missal(like) and all ayaat contain words bashar and missal.
Therefore when you consider the idea in light of topical exegesis i.e. all ayaat and hadith about one concept together then you get the true meaning of likeness and bashar.

Finally, in keeping with our formula of evidence, not a single scholar of Ahle Sunna called the Prophet(صلى الله عليه وسلمa man like us, instead, you will find the opposite.
The Majority of Scholars of Islam gave importance to that verse, in which Sayyidina Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is showing the people, "Even with my greatness, even with the power that Allah gave to me, even with Isra' and Miraj, even with revelation, still I am limited in knowing Allah's knowledge. But you are limited in knowing my knowledge.”
Sayyidina Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is emphasizing. "You are in limits with respect to my knowledge and I am in limits with respect to Allah's knowledge." Oh Muslims, Allah doesn't accept any shareek. And that's why Sayyidina Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said in this verse,"I am a human being," it means“I am not associating myself with Allah (SWT)
That is why my knowledge is not equal. And, as Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم , the Seal of Messengers, no one can reach my level. You have to know your limitation, and I know my limitation to my Lord.
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Imaam Neshapuri narrates:
“When Allah wanted to create the Physical form of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), Allah ordered Hazrat Jibrail(Allayhissalaam) to go along with other Malaikas to bring soil.
Hazrat Jibrial (Allayhissalaam) asked Allah that where should he get that soil from?;whereupon Allah said,"Inni Khalikun Basharan Min Salsaalin Min Hamain Masloom",that every Bashar is made from soil but i don’t want to create my Beloved(صلى الله عليه وسلم) physical form with this wordly soil but the special soil from Rozatum-Mir'Riaazul Jannah. [Sharaf-Ul-Mustafa]
--
The area from Mimbar of Rasoolallah صلى الله عليه وسلمto the Roza of Hazrat Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم is called Riyaaz-ul-Jannahmeans part of Jannat. That particular part is not a part of this worldly land but a part of Jannat.
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Ka`b al-Ahbaar said,
"When Allah wanted to create Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), he ordered the Angel Gabriel to bring him the clay which is the heart of the earth, its splendor and light. Then Gabriel descended, accompanied by the angels from the Highest Part of Paradise.
He took a handful for the creation of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)from the spot where his hallowed grave is; it was shining brightly white.
Then he kneaded the clay with the most superior water of creation from the Heavenly Fountain Tasneem, in the clear flowing rivers of Paradise, until it became like a white pearl with a tremendous white radiance.
The angels carried it, circling the Heavenly Throne and the mountains and the oceans. In this way the angels and all creation came to know our Master Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)and his prestige, before they knew Adam."
-
Ibn Hajar Asqalani said:
Ka`b Ibn Mati` al-Himyari, Abu Ishaq, known as Ka`b al-Ahbar, is trustworthy (thiqah). He belongs to the 2nd [tabaqah]. He lived during both Jahiliyyah and Islam. He lived in Yemen before he moved to Sham [~Syria]. He died during the Caliphate of `Uthman exceeding 100 years of age. None of his reports are in al-Bukhari. He has one narration in Muslim from Abu Huraira from him on the authority of al-A`mash from Abu Salih. 
[ Ibn Hajar Asqalani, Taqrib al-Tahdhib, Op Cit., p. 135.]
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Peace be upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
, His Family and Companions


(Edited by ADHM)
02-Dec-2010