Tabari, Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Jarir al-
Introduction
Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (أبو جعفر محمد بن جرير الطبري, in Arabic; Ebu Cafer Muhammed bin Cerir et-Taberi, in Turkish) was an early Muslim historian, hadith collector, scholar of Islamic law. Born in 839 CE in Amol, Tabaristan (modern-day Iran) and passing away in 923 CE, al-Tabari is best remembered for his monumental works: a Tafsir (Tafsīr al-Ṭabarī) on the Qur’an and an extensive historical chronicle (Tarikh al-Rusul wal-Muluk “The History of the Prophets and Kings”).
Etymology
- Abu Jafar: ‘Father of Jafar’ (a traditional kunya honorific).
- Muhammad: A significant Islamic name, meaning ‘praised’.
- Ibn Jarir: ‘Son of Jarir’.
- al-Tabari: Denotes his place of origin, Tabaristan.
Life and Work
Al-Tabari traveled extensively throughout the Islamic world, highlighting regions within the Fertile Crescent before eventually settling in Baghdad, a major intellectual hub of the time. A prolific author, his contributions span multiple disciplines from history and hadith to Islamic jurisprudence.
Major Works
Tafsir al-Tabari: This is one of the most foundational Quranic commentaries in Islamic scholarship. Al-Tabari gathered an unparalleled collection of earlier interpretations, offering his own insights and analyses. This work remains a reference point for scholars of Qur’anic studies.
Tarikh al-Rusul wal-Muluk: Often referred to simply as Tarikh al-Tabari, this extensive historical work outlines the successes and failures of various communities throughout history, with a particular emphasis on the Muslim community. It organizes vast historical narratives chronologically and includes multiple versions and perspectives of the same events.
Legal Contributions
Al-Tabari, though not as widely known for his legal scholarship today, founded a short-lived school of Islamic law named after him. His legal perspectives attempted to refine existing doctrines into more cohesive and perfect systems. His methods and teachings were among those contributing to the rich tapestry of Islamic legal theory.
Influence and Legacy
Al-Tabari’s historical methodology was particularly notable for its emphasis on narrative diversity. By including various renditions and accounts, he provided a multi-faceted view of historical events. Espousing that history solely relies on transmitted narratives, he believed it was a distinct field secondary to, but informed by, hadith.
He inspired subsequent historians, including Ibn al-Athir (1160-1233 CE), who furthered al-Tabari’s methodologies and works.
Takeaways
- Al-Tabari was instrumental in advancing the fields of historical writing and Qur’anic commentary.
- His multi-perspective approach and emphasis on transmission over deduction framed his contributions distinctively.
- His works continue to be critical resources for scholars, both Muslim and non-Muslim, examining early Islamic history and theology.
Suggested Reading
- “The History of al-Tabari” (Vol. 1-40) by various translators, part of the complete English translation.
- “Introduction to the History of Prophets and Kings (Tarikh al-Tabari)” translated by Franz Rosenthal.
- “The Qur’an: Oxford World’s Classics edited by Muhammad Abdel Haleem for Tafsir al-Tabari excerpts.
- “Islamic Historiography: The Histories of al-Tabari” by Steven Judd.
Conclusion
The scholarship of Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari represents a pinnacle in early Islamic academic endeavors, deeply influencing the methodologies of hadith study, Islamic history, and legal theories. Exploring his vast contributions offers a profound insight into Islamic intellectual culture and the powerful tradition of Islamic scholarship.
