Imam Dhahabi: Biographical Dictionary Writer

 

Source: Lazada.

Today, we will discuss about Imam Dhahabi, writer from one biographical dictionary at Islamic History, Siyar Alam an-Nubala  that is anthology from many Islamic important s figure s biography and until now became one cannon for Islamic History s biographical s characters and he also teacher from  popular Syrian Historian, Imam Ibn Kathir . Please read this article until end and subscribe my blog for more informations about Islamic History and Civilization. It is one easy step for you, but have big role for help us develop our blog that focuss at Islamic History and civilization s education for people. And, dont forget for read this article until end for get complete informations about this topic.

He originated from Damascus, Syria, though he originally is Turkmen, not Arabians.  His original name is Muhammad  ibn Ahmad ibn Uthman ibn Qaymaz. He born at 673 Hijriyya. And,he mentioned by Dhahabi, because his father,  Ahmad ibn Uthman, is goldsmith. And, gold at Arabic, mentioned by Dhahab. Because this, he titled by Adh-Dhahabi. 

Imam Dhahabi,  has many teachers. He start his study at Hadith ( oral tradition from Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam ) since age 18. From his teachers are  Omar ibn al-Qawas at Damascus, and Sanqar az-Zayni at Aleppo. At Mecca, Imam Dhahabi also has teacher named at-Tuzri. And , at Nablus, Palestine, he studied to Imad ibn Badran.  And, from his teacher, is Shaykh Ibn Taymiyya. For Ibn Taymiyya s biography, you can access this article:

Ibn Taymiyya: Islamic Puritant Scholar at Mongols Invasion Era.

He popular with his expert at Hadiths, and also his expert at Islamic History, specially at Islamic figure s biography. Not only memorize, Imam Dhahabi also mastered historical source s critic. One important method for historians until today.

And, his works give many benefits until today. His masterpiece, Siyar Alam an-Nubala, is cannon refrences for Islamic History s biography. First 4 volumes from this work, tell us about Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s biography at first and second volume , age of Rashidun Caliphate ( 632-661 AD) at third volume , and also fourth volume discuss about Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s main shahabas.

Imam Dhahabi has critical think at historiography. When write about Abu Yazid al Busthami s biography, he write that Abu Yazid al Busthami s biography , that Abu Yazid is scholar who  warn people for dont easy trust to miracle that showing by several people. Imam Dhahabi write commentar, at his age, many people follow crazy people who talk about supranatural things.

And, also, Imam Dhahabi straighten several stories that considered as Busthami s statement, such as story that  Busthami  offer himself became redeemer from hell. Imam Dhahabi also became teacher and has several students. From his students are  Syrian Historian Ibn Kathir,  Khalil ibn Abika as-Safady, and  also Abul Mahasin ad-Dimashqi. Other Siyar Alam an-Nubala, Imam Dhahabi also write several books, such as Al-Uluw at Islamic Theology, and also Mukhtasar Sunan Baihaqi.

After leave legacy, Imam Dhahabi die at  748 Hijriyya and burried at Tomb of Bab as-Sagir, Damascus.

Refrences:
Hitti, Philip.K: History Of The Arabs: Rujukan Induk dan Paling Otoritatif Tentang Sejarah Peradaban Islam, Penerbit Serambi, 2006 M.

Imam ad-Dzahabi: Siyar Alam an-Nubala: Mutiara Kisah Pilihan Orang orang Cemerlang Dalam Sejarah Islam ( edisi ringkas oleh DR.Sulaiman al-Asyqar), Penerbit al-Kautsar, 2019 M.

--------------:Siyar Alam an-Nubala Jilid 1: Pembahasan Sejarah Nabi ( Kelahiran Rasulullah Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam-Perang Khandaq), Tahqiq oleh Syuaib al Arnauth & Team, Pustaka Azzam, 2017.

----------:Siyar Alam an-Nubala Jilid 2:Pembahasan Sejarah Nabi ( Perang Dzaturriqa-Wafatnya Rasulullah Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Tahqiq oleh Syuaib al Arnauth & Team, Pustaka Azzam, 2017 M.

-----------:Siyar Alam an-Nubala Jilid 3: Generasi 1 ( Khulafa Rasyidin Abu Bakar-Ali), Tahqiq oleh Syuaib al-Arnauth & Team, Pustaka Azzam, 2017 M.

----------------:Siyar Alam an-Nubala Jilid 4: Pembahasan Generasi 1 As-Sabiqunal Awwalun, Syuhada Perang Uhud-Yarmuk: Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah-Bilal, Tahqiq oleh Syuaib al-Arnauth & Team, Pustaka Azzam, 2017 M.

Muslim, Kisah: Biografi Ringkas Imam adz-Dzahabi - Cerita kisah cinta penggugah jiwa, accesed 29 September 2025, 06: 43 AM.