Story of Sufyan at-Thawri: Owner from School Other 4 School

 

Source: Sidogiri.net.

Many Muslims, maybe know at Sunni Islam,exist 4 main school: Shafii, Hanafi, Hambali, and Maliki that many adherent by Muslims at the world . But, at old time, also exist school from Sufyan at-Thawri,  who life long before 4 Islamic School leader.  That mentioned by Imam Dhahabi, and maybe at current dont popular. Please read this article until end and subscribe my blog for more information about Islamic History and Civilization. It is small verb, but has important impact for develop our blog s development that focuss at Islamic History and Civilization s education for people. And, dont forget for read this article until end for get more information about this topic.

Imam Dhahabi, at Siyar Alam an-Nubala , mentioned one Islamic Scholar who adherent School of Sufyan at-Thawri is Abu Shalih an-Naisaburi as-Shufi al-Arif from Nishapur, Iran who die at 271 Hijriyya. It is mark that Sufyan at-Thawri has school that have adherent a old time. And, Sufyan at-Thawri, has full name Sufyan ibn Said ibn Masrouq at-Thawri and born at age of Umayyad Caliph, Sulayman ibn Abd Malik ( ruled 715-717 AD). And, Sufyan is one scholar at Umayyad Dynasty Era who originated from Kufa, Iraq. Sufyan originated from scholar s family. His father is one Hadith Scholar and his mother, also has attention to knowledge . Sufyan, first studied Islam to his family and his family have importan role for make Sufyan  love knowledge.  He popular with his skills at Fiqh ( Islamic law), Hadiths ( Islamic Oral Tradition from Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and also Koran ( Islamic Holy Book) Interpretation.

And, Sufyan at-Thawri, is one Early Sunni Scholar. Sufyan, also adherent as stone s founder from Ashariyyin Theological School ( one main theological school at Islam).  Sufyan, has many students. From his students, are Shuba, Imam Malik ibn Anas ( life 715-95 AD), Yahya ibn Said ibn Qattan, Al-Awzai, Ibn Mubarak, and Sufyan ibn Uyayna.

One day, Sufyan get question from one man about Hadiths that discuss about Allah Subhanahuwataala  s characters. Sufyan, answer : “Let as it came.” And, one day, one man who named Madan, give question to Imam Sufyan at-Thawri about mean Allah with his servant at QS.al-Hadid: 4, and Sufyan answer mean from this verse that Allah Subhanahuwataala knowledge included all things.  Sufyan, careful  when make interpretation about Allah s character.

According Ahmad Musaddad, Kalam ( Islamic Theology) was develop at Umayyad Dynasty Era. At this time, was appear several group from Islamic Theology, such as Qadariyya and Jabariyya. And, also origin from School of Mutazila. Sufyan , is one Theological Scholar at this age that firm handled at Koran and Sunnah ( Islamic Tradition from Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam ).  Sufyan s skill at Hadith also cannot seeing trivial. According his student, Ibn Uyayna, Sufyan can mastered Hadiths from Al-Amash, Manshour, and Abu  Ishaq.

Unfortunately, Sufyan at-Thawri doesnt has complete book of Tafsir ( Koran Interpretation). He interpreted Koran with oral explained without written, because at his age, many shahabas. And, written culture dont became popular culture at Arabia at this time. At-Thawri s argument spread at several Tafsir  book with format narration. And, Sufyan s interpretation codificated to one book by one Indian Scholar, Imtiyaz Ali Arsy at 1983 AD with title Tafsir Sufyan at-Tsauri. Imtiyaz used narration from Abu Jafar Muhammad who narrated from Abu Hudhayfa an-Nahdy and Abu Hudhayfa an-Nahdy, narrated from Sufyan at-Thawri. Sufyan, die at 161 Hijriyya, at age of Abbasid Caliph al-Mahdi. May Allah Subhanahuwataala bless him.

Refrences:

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

Imam ad-Dhahabi: 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.

Musaddad, Ahmad, dkk: Pemikiran Ilmu Kalam Dari Klasik Sampai Kontemporer, Penerbit Literasi Nusantara, 2021 M.

Massolihin, E., & Roziki, A. (2025). INTEGRASI HADIS DAN TASAWUF DALAM PEMIKIRAN SUFYAN ATS-TSAURI. AL ISNAD: Journal of Indonesian Hadith Studies, 6(1), 65-79.

Tamam, Jafar: Tafsir Sufyan At-Tsauri: Ahli Tafsir dari Kalangan Tabi'in, accesed at 19 September 2025, 10: 27 AM.