Salafi Research Institute SRI
In Defence of The Imaam, The Haafidh
Muhaddith Abdur-Razzaaq
(Rahimahullah)
Part 11
By
Shaikh Irshad ul-Haq al-Athari (Hafidhahullah)
Series compilers, Translated and Annotated
Abu Hibbaan & Abu Khuzaimah Ansaari
The hanafee’s say Imaam Abdur-Razzaaq, the author Musannaf of Abur-Razzaaq was a shee’ah just because narrated a weak hadeeth of Jaabir (Radhiallaahu Anhu) in which he mentioned the Messenger if Allaah (Sallalahu Alayhee Was-Sallam) was created from light.
Shaikh Irshaad ul-Haqq said,
We need to look at what shee’ah means in the terminology of the Salaf as according to the Mutaqaddimeen (earlier scholars) shee’aism meant just giving precedence to Alee over Uthmaan and Alee was correct in his wars and those who opposed him were wrong and according to the terminology of the mutakhireen (later scholars) shee’aism is pure and clear rafdh (ie rejection of the companions). (Tahdheeb ut-Tahdheeb (1/94).
The scholars of hadeeth have also mentioned the period the time of the earlier scholars (the mutadaqqimeen) finished in 300H and Imaam Abdur-Razzaaq died in 211H (Tahdheeb (6/314) so he was from amongst the earlier scholars. The shee’ism according to scholars of this period was understood to mean giving precedence to Alee over Uthmaan (Radhiallaahu Anhuma) and the details of this can be seen in Tahdheeb, as-Siyar, Meezaan and Tadhkirratul-Huffaadh.
This type of shee’ism was found amongst the earlier scholars. Allaamah Dhahabee has mentioned from Haafidh Abul-Fadhal Suleimaanee that the people who considered Alee to be more superior, were from the likes of Imaam A’mash, Imaam Abu Haneefah, Imaam Shu’bah, Imaam Abdur-Razzaaq, Imaam Abdur-Rahmaan bin Abee Haatim the author of al-Jarh wat-Ta’deel and also Ubaidullaah bin Moosaa. (Meezaan (2/588),
Furthermore, the reality of the affair is that Imaam Abdur-Razzaaq retracted from this earlier form of Shee’ism (of just giving Alee superiority over Uthmaan). Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal did not accept the narrations of Ubaidullaah bin Moosaa al-Absee who was a narrator of the six books of hadeeth and who was also trustworthy (see Taqreeb (pg.227) on the basis of this shee’ism. So when Imaam Ahmad was asked, ”Why do you take narrations from Abdur-Razzaaq yet to do not take narrations from Ubaidullaah bin Moosaa?” So Imaam Ahmad replied,
“Abdur-Razzaaq retracted from this (ie. This shee’ism) (See Tahdheeb (7/53) as narrated by Haafidh Abu Muslim Baghdaadee)
From this we find Imaam Abdur-Razzaaq retracted from this earlier form of shee’ism. For further details see Kitaab al-Ellal Wa Ma’arifatur-Rijaal (1/256) of Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal. (TN:- This book has been checked and printed by Shaikh Waseeullaah Abbaas.)
Haafidh Dhahabee addressed Imaam Abdur-Razzaaq as Haafidh al-Kabeer (the Major Preserver).
Imaam Yahyaa ibn Ma’een said,
“Even if Abdur-Razzaaq was to apostate, I would not abandon taking ahadeeth from him.” (Tahdheeb (6/314)
Imaam Abdur-Razzaaq himself said,
“Ar-Raafidhee Kaafir (The Raafidhee’s are disbelievers) and my heart has ever been satisfied or inclined to give Alee precedence over Abu Bakr and Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhuma).” (see Tahdheeb and Meezaan)
Imaam Abdur-Razzaaq after narrating a hadeeth of Mu’awiyyah (Radhiallaahu Anhu) said,
“And we act upon this.” (Musannaf Abdur-Razzaaq (3/249)
The hanafee scholar Dhafar Ahmad Uthmaanee mentions the following chapter heading in his book Inhaa as-Sakan also known as Qawaa’id Uloom al-Hadeeth,
“The shee’ism of Abdur-Razzaaq and his retraction from it.” (Qawaa’id (pg.385)
To bury this false claim of Imaam Abdur-Razzaaq being shee’ah The Imaam himself said,
“I swear by Allaah my heart has never been satisfied in giving Alee precedence over Abu Bakr and Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhuma). May the mercy of Allaah be upon Abu Bakr, May the mercy of Allaah be upon Umar, May the mercy of Allaah be upon Uthmaan and May the mercy of Allaah be upon Alee (Radhiallaahu Anhuma). The one who does not love them is not a believer and I in action, love all of them.” (al-Ellal Wa Ma’rifatur-Rijaal (1/256) (NOTE:- the Imaam swore by Allaah)
