Authored by: Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri ḥafiẓahullāh | Enhanced with Headings and Structure for Ease of Reading❖ Introduction
Allah ﷻ has always granted His righteous servants—Hadith scholars and Imams of the Muslim Ummah—His protection and sincerity. The false and misleading narratives of the enemies of Islam have never tarnished the honor of these distinguished personalities. Instead, the slanders, accusations, and mockery by these falsehood-mongers have only elevated the stature of these sacred figures.When the scholars of Hadith ignored the enemies and tyrants, they turned to attacking the honor of these noble Imams, resorting to malicious propaganda against them.
❖ The Noble Scholar: Imam Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari
Among the prominent Imams of Islam is the illustrious Imam Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, born in 224 AH in Tabaristan. He was a towering Sunni scholar—trustworthy, esteemed, and deeply knowledgeable. He is honored with the title "Imam al-Mufassirin" (Leader of the Qur'anic Commentators). Imam al-Tabari was a Hadith scholar, jurist, exegete, historian, linguist, and a mujtahid muṭlaq. He authored numerous works and holds a unique status in Qur'anic exegesis.❖ Scholarly Praise and Endorsements
◈ Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi رحمه الله
He settled in Baghdad and remained there until his death. He was among the great scholars whose opinions were authoritative. He was unmatched in his era across multiple disciplines... His tafsir of the Qur’an is unparalleled.Source: Tarikh Baghdad: 2/163
◈ Imam al-Darimi رحمه الله
When asked why he hadn’t written from al-Tabari, he regretted it and stated: “Had you only heard from him, it would have been better than all the others.”Source: Tarikh Dimashq: 52/195
◈ Imam al-Tamimi رحمه الله
Al-Tabari’s lessons were blocked by the Ḥanābilah. Yet, scholars acknowledged hearing from him would have surpassed all others.Source: Tarikh Baghdad: 2/164
◈ Other Notable Endorsements
- Imam Ibn Siraj and Ibn Yūnus al-Miṣrī both acknowledged al-Tabari as a jurist.
- Imam al-Dhahabi called him trustworthy, truthful, a great Imam in Tafsir, Fiqh, and Qirā’āt.
- Ibn al-Qayyim, al-Nawawi, and Ibn Khuzaymah echoed his vast expertise and scholarship.
❖ Baseless Accusations and Refutations
✔ Misconception: Imam al-Tabari Was a Shi’a
Certain individuals, particularly deniers of Hadith like Tamanna Imadi, tried to label Imam al-Tabari as a Shi’a. Publications such as Tulu‘-e-Islam furthered this claim to undermine the value of his tafsir among Ahl al-Sunnah.Refutation:
- There existed another man, also named Muhammad ibn Jarir, but his grandfather was Rustam—a Rafidi Shi’a who also lived in Baghdad.
- This confusion arose due to similarities in names, titles, and death year, but they were entirely distinct individuals.
- Even Shi’a scholars have acknowledged that Muhammad ibn Jarir ibn Yazid al-Tabari was a Sunni Imam.
✔ Statement of Hafiz Ibn Hajar رحمه الله
He clarified that the mistaken identification was due to:"Shared names, kunyas, and prolific writings, leading to confusion between the Sunni Imam and the Rafidi."
Source: Lisan al-Mizan: 5/100
❖ Clarifications by Scholars
✔ Hafiz al-Dhahabi رحمه الله
Though he initially mentioned a minor inclination (تشیع یسیر), he never accused Imam al-Tabari of being a Shi’a in his later works. Even then, he affirmed:“He is trustworthy, truthful, a great Imam.”
✔ Hafiz Ibn Hajar’s Rebuttal
He stated the claim of Shi’ism was solely due to Imam al-Tabari authenticating the Hadith of Ghadir Khumm, which is not a valid reason to label someone Shi’a.✔ Hafiz al-‘Iraqi and Others
They clarified that the criticism by al-Sulaymani was directed at the Rafidi Muhammad ibn Jarir ibn Rustam, not the Sunni Imam. Mistakes in some copies of Mizan al-I‘tidal led to this misunderstanding.❖ Imam al-Tabari’s Own Testimonies
He stated:"The most virtuous of the Prophet’s ﷺ companions is Abu Bakr, then ‘Umar, then ‘Uthman, then ‘Ali رضي الله عنهم."
Source: Sarih al-Sunnah, p. 23
He declared that anyone denying the leadership of Abu Bakr and Umar is:
"An innovator, and even deserving of death."
Source: Tarikh Dimashq: 52/200
❖ Imam al-Tabari’s Teachers and Students
Prominent Teachers:Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Malik, Ismail ibn Musa, Ahmad ibn Mani‘, Abu Kuraib, Hammad ibn Sariy, and many others.
Famous Students:
Imam al-Tabarani, Ahmad ibn Kamil, Abu Bakr al-Shafi‘i, and Ibn ‘Adi.
❖ Renowned Works of Imam al-Tabari
① Tafsir al-Tabari (Jāmi‘ al-Bayān ‘an Ta’wīl Āy al-Qur’ān) – A foundational work in Qur’anic exegesis.② Tarikh al-Umam wal-Mulūk – One of the earliest comprehensive Islamic histories.
③ Tahdhib al-Athār, al-Tabsir fi Ma‘alim al-Dīn, and Sarih al-Sunnah are also among his major writings.
