Story Of Dawud Ibn Khalaf: Founder From Zhahiri School: Forgotten School at Islamic History

 

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Maybe at several Islamic History literature, 4 schools at Sunni Islam  : Shafii, Hambali, Hanafi, and Maliki are most popular school at Islamic History. But, Imam Dhahabi write one School that maybe dont popular at Islamic History. School of Zhahiri, is one Sunni Islam school that adherent by several scholars,such as Mundhir ibn Said and Yusuf ibn Umar. And, also school that appear at Abbasid History Era. We will discuss about founder from this school, Dawud ibn Khalaf . Please read this article until end and subscribe my blog for more informations about Islamic History and Civilizations. And, dont forget for read this article until end for get more informations about this topic.

Zhahiri School, established at 9 TH Century by One Persian  Scholar from Isfahan, Iran, Dawud ibn Khalaf al-Isfahani. He is son from one judge at Abbasid Dynasty. His father work to Abbasid Caliph Al-Mamun. Dawud born at 815 AD. He studied Fiqh according Shafii School to several scholars at this age. Such as Abu Saur Ibrahim ibn Khalid ibn Yaman al-Kalbi and Ishaq ibn Rawaha. And also Sulayman ibn Harb, al-Qanabi, Mohammad ibn Kathir al-Abdi, and Musaddad. From Ishaq ibn Rahawayh, Dawud studied Al-Musnad and at-Tafsir. . Zhahiri School, popular because this school dont used logic for find law. They also take law from Koran ( Islamic Holy Book) and Sunnah ( Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s traditions). At several problems, this school received Ijma ( collective  head) from Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s shahabas. Mentioned by Imam Dhahabi, Dawud write many books.

According Imam Dhahabi, Dawud ibn Khalaf is scholar who diligent at worship and also simple. Dawud also has many students who at future became Fiqh Scholars. From his students is his son, Muhammad. And also Zakaria as-Saji, Yusuf ibn Yaqub ad-Dawudi al-Faqih, Abbas ibn Ahmad al-Mudhakkar, and other. And, Imam Dhahabi also said: “ reason from Dawud more than his knowledge.” Dawud also became  first leader from Zhahiri School. At his council, exist 400 friends from Thailasan Akhdar, one man who fanatics at Shafii School.

Scool of Zhahiri, also achieve Andalusia ( Spain and Portugal) that at this tim under Umayyad Dynasty. Many Scholar from Andalusia came to Baghdad , Iraq, Capital from Abbasid Caliphate for studied to Dawud. From Baghdad, they spread Zhahiri School to Spain.  They also studied to Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, founder from Hambali School.  It is happened at era when many Schools at Islam develop.

But, popularity from Scholar of Zhahiri dont as other 4 schools. According  Suryan.A.Jamrah, popularity from School of Zhahiri at east defeated by School of Hambali. At west ( Andalusia), this school develop by Ibn Hazm And, after die of Ib Hazm, this school also stopped for progress at Andalusia. And, now, according Suryan A.Jamrah, School of Zhahiri dont have many followers. And, according Republika, many Muslims think that this school too rigid at Fiqh and hard to applicated.

Imam Dhahabi, mentioned that he doesnt agree with Dawud s argument that refused Ijma. Because Imam Dhahabi, argue that Ijma must followed by Muslims. And, he said that Dawud s argument received , except that different with Ijma.

Dawud die at 815 AD at Baghdad, Iraq. 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.

Jamrah, Suryan.A.: Az-Zahiri, Mazhab - Ensiklopedia Islam, accesed 29 October 2025, 05: 27 PM.

Sasongko, Agung: Mengenal Mahzab Az-Zahiri | Republika Online, accesed  29 October 2025, 05: 28 PM.