Biographies of the Imams of Hadith
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Imam Abu Dawud<br />
Abu Dawud’s Birth and Early Life<br />
Abu Dawud was born in Sijistan in 202 AH in <strong>the</strong> outset<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> golden scientific century which witnessed<br />
<strong>the</strong> rise <strong>of</strong> <strong>Imams</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hadith</strong>, such Al-Bukhari, Muslim,<br />
Yahya ibn Ma’in, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, At-Tirmidhi and<br />
many o<strong>the</strong>rs. He grew up fond <strong>of</strong> knowledge, especially<br />
<strong>Hadith</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Messenger <strong>of</strong> Allah (peace be upon<br />
him), aided by his unique talent <strong>of</strong> memorization that<br />
helped him commit a great deal <strong>of</strong> hadiths to memory.<br />
Thus, at a very early age, Abu Dawud collected lots <strong>of</strong><br />
hadiths in a short time.<br />
His name is Sulaiman ibn Al-Ash`ath ibn<br />
Is-haq ibn Bashir ibn Shaddad Abu Dawud<br />
Al-Azdi As-Sijistani from Sijistan, known today<br />
as Sistan, <strong>the</strong> compiler <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> well-known<br />
collection <strong>of</strong> hadith entitled “Sunan Abu<br />
Dawud” which comes in degree and fame after<br />
Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Abu<br />
Dawud was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most knowledgeable<br />
scholars <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hadith</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Prophet<br />
(peace be upon him), its fiqh (jurisprudence),<br />
deficiencies, texts and chains <strong>of</strong> narrators<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> Islamic history.<br />
The scholars <strong>of</strong> his time recognized his high<br />
scientific status, as indicated by some narrations.<br />
It is reported that Sahl ibn `Abdullah<br />
At-Tastury came to Abu Dawud and said, “O<br />
Abu Dawud, I want something from you.” He<br />
said, “What is it?” Sahl said, “On a condition<br />
that you say that you will fulfill it if possible.”<br />
Abu Dawud replied in <strong>the</strong> affirmative. Sahl<br />
said, “Get out your tongue with which you<br />
narrated <strong>the</strong> hadiths <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Prophet (peace<br />
be upon him) so that I kiss it.” Abu Dawud accept<br />
that and Sahl kissed his tongue.<br />
17 www.<strong>the</strong>-faith.com <strong>Biographies</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Imams</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hadith</strong>