Abu Hamza al- Thumaly

His name was Thabit b. Dinar. His Kunya was Abu Hamza. He reported traditions on the authority of al- Sajjad, al- Baqir, and al- Sadiq, peace be on them. He stayed a live till the time of al- Kazim, peace be on him. It was said that he died in the year 150 (A.H.). So, his death was two years after the Imamate of al- Kazim. It was said that he was living when al- Mansur died in the year 158 (A.H.).

Abu Hamza had a high position. So, al- Rida, peace be on him, said: "Abu Hamza in his time was like Luqman in his time, for he served four (persons) of us: 'Ali b. al- Husayn, Mohammed b. 'Ali, Ja'far b. Mohammed, and a period of the lifetime of Musa b. Ja'far, peace be on them." In other tradition al- Rida said: "Like Salman al- Farsy in his time."

Al- Sadiq, peace be on him, sent for Abu Hamza and said to him: "I become happy when I see you." Concerning him Abu al- Hasan (Musa), peace be on him, said: "Such is (the behavior) of the believer when Allah enlightens his heart."

Abu Hamza reported the long important du'a' (supplication) on the authority of Zayn al- 'Abidin, peace be on him. This du'a', known as the du'a' of Abu Hamza, is read during the early morning, in the month of Ramadan. Also the people of Sunna regarded him as a reliable narrator. So, they reported traditions on his authority.

Adapted from: "Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.)"