Students and Companions of Imam Zayn al-Abidin(a.s.) - Part 5

87. Salama Ibn Dina`r

He was given the Kunya of Aba` Ha`zim, and was surnamed al-'Arajj, al-Afraz, al-Tamma`r, al-Medani, al-Qa`s. He was the retainer of al-Aswad b. Sufya`n al-Makhzu`mi. He narrated on the authority of a group of people of whom were Sahl b. Sa'd al-Sa`'idi, Abi 'Uma`ma b. Sahl, Sa'id b. al-Musayyab, Ibn 'Amru`, and others. Ahmed, Abu` Ha`tam, al-'Ajali and, al-Nisa`'i regarded him as trustworthy.

Ibn Khuzayma said: "He (Salama) was reliable and none in his time was like him." Ibn Sa'd said: "While he (Salama) was giving legal decisions in the Mosque of Medina, Sulayman b. 'Abd al-Malik sent to him al-Zuhri to summon him, but he said to al-Zuhri: 'As he (Sulayma`n) has a need with me, let him come to me. As for me, I have no need with him.

Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

88. Salama Ibn Kuhayl

Abu` Yahya` al-Hadrami. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

He was accused of being a great figure of the Batariya concerning whom al-Kashi narrated on the authority of Abi 'Abd Allah al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, who said: "If the Batariya (stood) in one line between the east and the west, Allah would not strengthen a religion through them." The Batariya were the companions of Kathir al-Nawa`, al-Hasan b. Sa`lih b. Yahya`, Sa`lim b. Abi Hafsa, al-Hakam b. 'Utayba, Salama b. Kuhayl, and Abi al-Muqdad Tha`bit al-Hadda`d.

It was they who summoned (the people) to adopt the leadership of Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, and then they mixed it with that of Abu` Bakr and 'Umar to establish their leadership. They hated 'Uthman, Talha, al-Zubayr, and 'A'isha. They believed in going out in revolt with the sons of 'Ali b. Abi Ta`lib to enjoin the good and forbid the evil and to establish the Ima`mate of 'Ali's sons, who went out in revolt.

Al-Kashi reported on the authority of 'Adha`fir al-Sayrafi, who said: "Al-Hakam b. 'Utayba and I were with Abi Ja'far, peace be on him. Al-Hakam questioned Abu` Ja'far, and he answered. They differed over a certain thing, hence Abu` Ja'far said to his son: 'My little son, bring out Ali's book.' He took out a rolled up, great book. Abu` Ja'far opened the book and looked for the problem until he found it, and then he said to al-Hakam: 'This is the script of 'Ali, peace be on him, and the dictation of Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his Household. Abu` Mohammed, you and Salama (b. Kuhayl) go wherever you want, to the right and left. By Allah, you will not find the most reliable knowledge except with those upon whom Gabriel came down.'

89. Salim Ibn Qays

al-Hila`li, al-'Amiri, al-Ku`fi. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, of the two Ima`ms al-Hasan and al-Husayn, peace be on him, and of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

As for al-Barqi, he numbered him as one of the special companions of Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him.

He is the author of the famous book, better known, as the 'Book of Salim Ibn Qays'. In it he has mentioned many traditions written in that time. Aba`n b. 'Aya`sh read the book before Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him, and he said: "Allah's mercy be upon Salim, who was truthful. We know such traditions." Professor al-Khu`'i spoke about this book and refuted the accusations concerning it.

90. Salma`n Ibn Abi al-Mughira

al-'Absi. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

91. Sulayma`n Abu` 'Abd Allah

Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

92. Samma`k Ibn Harb

al-Dhahli, Abu` al-Mughira. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him. Samma`k reported on the authority of Ja`bir b. Samra, al-Nu'ma`n Ibn Bashir, Anas b. Ma`lik, and others. Ibn 'Adi said: "Samma`k narrated many traditions, Allah willing. He was among the leading members of the next generations, who lived in Ku`fa. He was truthful. His traditions are acceptable; there is no harm in them.

93. Sharhabil Ibn Sa'd

al-Ansa`ri. He was the retainer of the children of Hanzala. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.
He narrated on the authority of Zayd b. Tha`bit, Abi Ra`fi', Abi Sa'id, al-Hasan b. 'Ali, and others. 'Ukrima narrated on his authority. Ibn al-Medani said: "I asked Sufya`n b. 'Ayyna: 'Did Sharhabil b. Sa'd give religious opinions?' He replied: 'Yes. None is more knowledgeable than him in the military campaigns (al-magha`zi) and those who took part in the Battle of Badr (al-Badriyyin)." Ibn Hayya`n regarded him as trustworthy, and said: "He died in the year 123.

94. Shayba Ibn Na'a`ma

al-Dabbi, al-Basri. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

95. Sa`lih Ibn Abi Hassa`n

al-Medani. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

He narrated on the authority of 'Abd Allah b. Hanzala al-Ra`hib, Sa'id b. al-Musayyab, Abi Salama b. 'Abd al-Rahma`n, and 'Abd Allah b. Abi Qatta`da. Ibn Abi Dhi'b, Kha`lid b. al-Ya`s, and Bukayr b. al-Ashajj narrated on his authority. Ibn Hayya`n regarded him as reliable.

96. Sa`lih Ibn Khouwa`n

b. Jubayr al-Ansa`ri, al-Medani. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

Sa`lih narrated on the authority of his father, his uncle, Sahl, and 'Abd Allah. Al-Nisa`'i regarded him as trust worthy. Ibn Sa'd said: "Sa`lih narrated few traditions.

97. Sa`lih Ibn Kaysa`n

al-Medani. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

He was the teacher of the children of 'Umar b. 'Abd al-'Aziz. Mas'ab b. al-Zubayr: "The hadith, jurisprudence, and manhood came together in him." Al-Nisa`'i regarded him trustworthy. Al-Ha`kim said: "Sa`lih b. Kaysa`n died at the age of more than 160.

98. Safwa`n Ibn Salim

al-Zuhri, al-Medani. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

Ibn Hajar numbered him as one of the jurists, and that he narrated on the authority of Ibn 'Umar, Abi Basra al-Ghifa`ri, and others. Concerning him Ahmed said: "This is a man through whose tradition men ask Allah for rain, and rain comes down from the heaven when they mention it." Al-'Ijjli and al-Nisa`'i regarded him as trustworthy.

99. Suhayb Abu` Hakim

al-Sayrafi, al-Ku`fi. He belonged to the leading members of the next generation. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

He narrated the tradition of the crucifixion of Maytham on the authority of Maytham himself. He was one of the seven persons who carried the coffin of Maythem after he had been crucified.

100. Al-Dahha`k Ibn 'Abd Allah

al-Mashriqi. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

101. Al-Dahha`k Ibn Muza`him

al-Khurasa`ni. He was from Ku`fa and belonged to the leading members of the next generation. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.6 He narrated on the authority of Ibn 'Umar, Ibn 'Abba`s, Abi Hurayra, Abi Sa'd, Zayd b. Arqam, Anas b. Malik, and others. Ibn Ma'in and Abu` Zar'a regarded him as trustworthy. He was famous for interpreting the Holy Qur'a`n. He died in the year 106 A. H.

102. Ta`riq Ibn 'Abd al-Rahma`n

al-Ahmasi, al-Ku`fi, al-Bajali. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

He narrated on the authority of 'Abd Allah b. Abi Awfa`, Sa'id b. al-Musayyab, Zayd b. Wahb, Sa'id b. Jubayr, and others. Ibn Ma'in and al-'Ijjli regarded him as trustworthy. Abu Ha`tam said: "His tradition is written; there is no harm in it. His tradition is similar to that of Mukha`riq." Al-Nisa`'i said: "There is no harm in it.

103. Ta`wus Ibn Kaysa`n

Abu` 'Abd al-Rahma`n al-Yama`ni. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

Ibn Hajar said: "He (Ta`wus) was a Persian. He inhabited (an area called) al-Jund. It was said that he was the master of Hamada`n. It was said that his name was Dhakwa`n, and his nick-name was Ta`wus. He narrated on the authority of the four persons called 'Abd Allah (al-'Aba`dila al-Arba'a), Abi Hurayra, 'A'isha, Zayd b. Tha`bit, Zayd b. Arqam, and others." Ibn Hayya`n said: "He was among the worshipers of the people of the Yemen and the masters of the leading members of the next generation. He performed the hajj forty times. Allah accepted his supplication. He died in the year 101, and it was said other than this (year).

He narrated some of the whispered prayers of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him, in the Sacred House of Allah. He had conversations with him; we mentioned them in the previous chapters.

104. Talha Ibn 'Amru`

al-Medani. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

105. Talha Ibn al-Nadar

al-Medani. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

106. Za`lim Ibn 'Amru`

He was given the Kunya of Aba` al-Aswad al-Du'ali. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

He was the most brilliant of the scholars of his time. He was the first to establish (Arabic) grammar after Ima`m 'Ali had taught him its rules and sources. He was among the talented poets. An example of his poetry is the following:

Livelihood is not sought through desiring,
But throw your bucket with the buckets.
You sometimes bring it full and sometimes
You bring mud and little water.
He was among the brilliant eloquent figures. An example of his wonderful words is his advice to his son: "O My little son, when you are with people, talk with them in accordance with your age, and negotiate with them according to your place. Speak not with the speech of those who are superior to you, lest they should find you heavy. Degrade not yourself to those who are inferior to you, lest they should look down upon you. When Allah is generous toward you, lend a helping hand (to men), and when He withholds (generosity) from you, you withhold (generosity). Vie not in generosity with Allah, for He is more generous than you. Know that there is nothing like moderate livelihood, and glory like knowledge. Kings are rulers over men, and scholars are rulers over kings." Then he composed, saying:

There is no livelihood except when your are moderate,
if you are extravagant and wasteful, you will meet poverty
and damage.
Knowledge is adornment and honor for its owner,
so seek, may you be guided, the techniques of knowledge
and literature.
Knowledge is a treasure and store without exhaustion;
it is the best companion when it makes friends with
someone.
One may gather something and shortly he loses it, hence
he meets abasement and remorse.
The possessor of knowledge is always happy with it;
he is not cautious of escape and loss.
O he who gathers knowledge, the best store you gather
Equal it not to pearls or gold.

He was the best of all the people in showing friendship, sincerity, and love to Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him. Mu'a`wiya did his best to turn him away from this but he failed. He (Za`lim) died of plague in Basra in the year 69 A.H.(Al-Kuna` wa al-Alqa`b, vol. 1, pp. 9-10).

107. 'Amir Ibn al-Simt

He was given the kunya of Aba` Yahya`. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him.

He narrated on the authority of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him. Safwa`n al-Jamma`l reported on his authority, and he also narrated on the authority of Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him.

108. 'Amir Ibn Wa`'ila

al-Kina`ni. He was given the kunya of Aba` al-Tufayl. Shaykh al-Tu`si numbered him as one of the companions of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him and added that he was among the special companions of Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him.

He was a talented poet, and an example of his poetry is the following:
They claim that I am an old man and I have lived for
a period, and they (women leave their) husbands and incline to me.
I have become white-headed not because of the years that
come successively to me, but the happenings have turned
my hair white.

He went out in revolt with al-Mukhta`r to demand vengeance for the Lord of martyrs (al-Husayn), saying: "None of the seventy has remained expect me." He composed this line of poetry:

I have remained among the Kina`na like the only arrow
which will be thrown or broken.

He always composed this line of poetry:

Certainly, the men of truth will have over people a state
which I hope and expect.

Ima`m al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, recited this line of poetry and said: "By Allah, I am among those who hope and expect." The tyrannical, the criminal (al-Hajja`j) wanted to kill 'Amir Ibn Wa`'ila because he showed friendship toward the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt) , peace be on them, but he was saved from him, for he had influence upon 'Abd al-Malik b. Marwa`n.