The significance of as-Sunan in the science of narrators

Imam Darimi, known as Abu Muhammad Abdullah ibn Abdurrahman ibn Fazl ibn Bahram ibn Abdussamad Tamimi Samarqandi, was born in Samarkand in 181 AH (798 AD) [4:5]. His death is reported to have occurred in either 250 or 255 AH (864 or 869 AD). Growing up in a scholarly family greatly influenced his academic pursuits. After receiving his early education in Samarkand, he embarked on intellectual journeys to Khorasan, Iraq, and Hijaz—renowned centers of learning at the time. In these regions, he met prominent hadith scholars and acquired extensive knowledge related to ilm al-rijal (the science of narrators).

Historical sources attribute several significant works to Imam Darimi, including as-Sunan, at-Tafsir, al-Jami' (Collection), as-Sulosiyyat fil-Hadis, Kitab as-Sunna fil-Hadis, and Kitab Sawm al-Mustahazzat wal-Mutahayyirat [9:58]. His as-Sunan holds a unique place in Islamic scholarship, compiling valuable narrations related to tafsir, hadith, fiqh, and sira (Prophetic biography). The collection provides critical insights into the reliability of narrators, the isnad (chains of transmission), and textual analysis of hadiths.

Numonjon Turaev,

ICESCO Associate Professor of the Chair for Islamic Studies and Islamic Civilization, PhD

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