from Imam Suyuti’s Kitab al-Tahadduth bi Ni`mat Allah1
translation by Hani Alkhatib
The numbers given to women scholars are indicated with (parenthesis) while those of men scholars with [square brackets]. If a name appears as al-Shihab, al-Taj, or the like, then it means Shihab al-Din, Taj al-Din, etc.
A big number [of scholars] in the Egyptian Lands, the Hijaz, and Halab have given me Ijazas. I have compiled a huge bibliographical dictionary containing the names of those who taught me, gave me Ijazas, or composed poetry about me. They added up to about 600 persons.
The teachers of Hadith-Transmission (Shuyukh al-riwaya) among them consist of four classes (tabaqat).
Then Suyuti gives short descriptions of the four categories of Hadith-Transmission he was taught by the four classes of his teachers. Then he dismisses the fourth since he did not learn much from them (did not receive Hadith through them, that is). After that, Suyuti says:
These are the names of my teachers (Shaykhs) who belong to the first three classes, each given along with a summarized biographical note:
The ‘bibliographical notes’ which I did not translate below, contain mainly the dates of birth and death and the names of some of their famous teachers.
[1] Ahmad ibn Ibrahim ibn Nasr Allah al-Kinani al-Hanbali, Head Judge (Qadi al-Quda) `Izz al-Din Abu al-Barakat son of Head Judge Burhan al-Din son of Head Judge Nasr al-Din.
[2] Ahmad ibn Ibrahim ibn Sulayman al-Qalyubi, al-Shihab Abu al-`Abbas.
[3] Ahmad ibn `Abd Allah ibn `Ali, al-Shihab ibn al-Jamal, son of Judge `Ala al-Din al-Kinani al-Hanbali.
[4] Ahmad ibn `Abd al-Qadir ibn Muhammad ibn Tarif al-Shawi, al-Shihab Abu al-`Abbas.
[5] Ahmad ibn `Ali ibn Abu Bakr al-Sharimsahi, the distinguished Shihab al-Din al-Fardi – the accountant and Shafi`i faqih.
[6] Ahmad ibn `Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn Mahmud al-Kinani al-`Asqalani, Head Judge, the Imam al-Hafiz Shihab al-Din Abu al Fadl – well-known as Ibn Hajar.
[7] Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Nuwayri al-Hashimi al-`Uqayli al-Makki, Sharaf al-Din Abu al-Qasim, the Khatib of the Masjid al-Haram [in Makka] son of the Khatib Kamal al-Din Abu al-Fadl son of the Judge of the Haramayn [Two Holy Sanctuaries in Makka and Madina] Muhibb al-Din Abu al-Barakat son of Head Judge Kamal al-Din Abu al-Fadl.
[8] Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Rahman ibn `Umar al-Bulqini, Shihab al-Din ibn Taj al-Din son of Head Judge Jalal al-Din son of Shaykh al-Islam Siraj al-Din.
[9] Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn Hasan ibn Ibrahim al-Ansari al-Khazraji ? well-known as al-Shihab al-Hijazi; a man of letters and a poet.
[10] Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Hasan al-Shumunni, our Shaykh, the distinguished Imam Taqi al-Din.
[11] Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Fahd, Muhibb al-Din Abu Bakr, son of our Shaykh al-Hafiz Taqi al-Din Abu al-Fadl al-Hashimi; among the descendants of Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya.
[12] Ibrahim ibn Ahmad ibn Yunus, the Ghazzi, then Halabi [resident of Gaza then Halab], al-Burhan ibn al-Du`ayyif.
[13] Ibrahim ibn Muhammad ibn `Abd Allah ibn Sa`d al-Dayri al-Hanafi, Head Judge Burhan al-Din, son of Head Judge Shams al-Din.
[14] Isma`il ibn Abu Bakr ibn Isma`il ibn Ibrahim ibn `Abd al-Samad al-Hashimi al-`Aqili al-Zabidi, Sharaf al-Din, ibn Radi al-Din son of the distinguished Qutb al-Din.
(15) Amina bint Sharaf al-Din Musa ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Ansari al-Damhuji al-Mahalli.
(16) ‘Asiya bint Jar Allah ibn Salih al-Shaybani al-Tabari al-Makki, Umm Muhammad.
(17) Alf bint `Abd Allah son of Head Judge `Ala al-Din `Ali al-Kinani al-Hanbali.
(18) Alf daughter of the distinguished Badr al-Din al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn Ayyub al-Husayni al-Shafi`i ? who is well-known as al-Sharif al-Nassaba.
(19) Amat al-Khaliq bint `Abd al-Latif al-Munawi al-`Uqbi.
(20) Amat al-`Aziz bint Muhammad son of Shaykh Yusuf son of Shaykh Isma`il al-Inbabi.
(21) Umm Hani – daughter of Shaykh Nur al-Din Abu al-Hasan `Ali son of Head Judge Taqi al-Din `Abd al-Rahman ibn `Abd al-Mu’min al-Hurini; mother of our distinguished Shaykh Sayf al-Din al-Hanafi.
(22) Umm Hani bint Abu al-Qasim son of the distinguished head of Grammarians Abu al-`Abbas al-Ansari al-Makki.
(23) Umm Hani – daughter of our Shaykh al-Hafiz Taqi al-Din Abu al-Fadl Muhammad ibn Fahd.
[24] Abu Bakr ibn Ahmad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ahmad al-Murshidi al-Makki, Fakhr al-Din.
[25] Abu Bakr ibn Sadaqa ibn `Ali al-Munawi, Zaki al-Din.
[26] Hanifa bint `Abd al-Rahman ibn Ahmad ibn `Umar ibn `Arafat al-Qimmani.
[27] Al-Khidr ibn Muhammad ibn al-Khidr ibn Dawud ibn Ya`qub al-Halabi, Baha al-Din Abu al-Hayat.
(29) Khadija daughter of the Muhaddith Shihab al-Din Ahmad ibn `Ali ibn Khalaf ibn `Abd al-`Aziz ibn Badran al-Husayni, Umm Salama.
(30) Khadija bint `Abd al-Rahman ibn `Ali ibn Ahmad al-Hashimi al-`Uqayli al-Nuwayri al-Makki.
(31) Khadija bint Nur al-Din `Ali son of Shaykh al-Islam Siraj al-Din `Umar ibn al-Mulaqqin.
(32) Khadija bint Faraj al-Zayla`i.
(33) Rajab bint al-Shihab Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Qaliji.
[34] Ridwan ibn Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-`Uqbi, the Muhaddith Zayn al-Din Abu al-Na`im.
(35) Ruqayya bint `Abd al-Qawi ibn Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Qawi al-Bija?i al-Makki.
(36) Zaynab bint Ibrahim al-Shanawayhi, Umm al-Khayr.
(37) Zaynab bint Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Musa al-Shawbaki al-Makki, Umm Habiba.
(38) Zaynab bint Muhyi al-Din Abu Nafi` Muhammad ibn `Abd Allah al-Sa`di al-Azhari.
[39] Salim ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Salim al-Makki al-Qurashi, Amin al-Din, ibn al-Diya?.
(40) Sara bint Muhammad ibn Mahmud ibn Muhammad ibn Abu al-Husayn ibn Mahmud al-Rib`i al-Balisi; daughter of Shaykh al-Islam Siraj al-Din ibn al-Mulaqqin.
(41) Sitt Quraysh daughter of our Shaykh al-Hafiz Taqi al-Din Abu al-Fadl ibn Fahd.
[42] Shakir ibn `Abd al-Ghani ibn al-Ji`an, `Alam al-Din al-Katib.
[43] Salih ibn `Umar ibn Raslan ibn Nusayr ibn Salih ibn Shihab al-Kinani, our Shaykh, Shaykh al-Islam, Head Judge `Alam al-Din Abu al-Taqi, son of Shaykh al-Islam, the Mujtahid Siraj al-Din Abu Hafs al-Bulqini.
(44) Saliha, Umm al-Hana?, bint Nur al-Din Abu al-Hasan `Ali son of Shaykh al-Islam Siraj al-Din al-Mulaqqin.
(45) Safiyya bint Yaqut ibn `Abd Allah al-Habashi al-Makkiyya.
[46] `Abd Allah ibn Ahmad ibn `Umar al-Damiri, Jamal al-Din.
[47] `Abd Allah ibn `Abd al-Malik ibn Ibrahim ibn `Isa al-Damiri.
[48] `Abd al-Khaliq ibn `Umar ibn Raslan, Dia? al-Din, son of Shaykh al-Islam, the Mujtahid Siraj al-Din al-Bulqini; brother of our Shaykh, Head Judge `Alam al-Din.
[49] `Abd al-Rahman ibn Ahmad ibn `Abd al-Rahman al-Qummusi, Jalal al-Din Abu al-Fadl and Abu al-Ma`ali.
[50] `Abd al-Rahman ibn `Abd al-Warith ibn Muhammad al-Bakri al-Maliki, Judge Najm al-Din.
[51] `Abd al-Rahman ibn `Ali ibn `Umar ibn `Ali, Jalal al-Din Abu Hurayra, son of Nur al-Din Abu al-Hasan son of Shaykh al-Islam Siraj al-Din ibn al-Mulaqqin al-Ansari.
[52] `Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ahmad al-Murshidi al-Makki, Wajih al-Din Abu al-Jud.
[53] `Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn `Umar al-Dimyati – known as Ibn al-Ka`ki – son of the Gnostic (al-`arif billah ta`ala) Shaykh Yusuf al-`Ajami.
[54] `Abd al-Samad ibn `Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr al-Harasani.
[55] `Abd al-`Aziz ibn `Abd al-Wahid, `Izz al-Din al-Takruri – the Shafi`i faqih.
[56] `Abd al-Ghani ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn `Uthman al-Bisati, Judge Zayn al-Din, son of the Head Judge, the distinguished, the author of many treatises Shams al-Din al-Maliki.
[57] `Abd al-Qadir ibn Abu al-Qasim ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Mu`ti al-Ansari al-Makki al-Maliki, Judge of Makka Muhyi al-Din – the faqih and Grammarian.
[58] `Abd al-Karim ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn Muhammad al-Haythami.
[59] `Abd al-Latif ibn `Ubayd ibn Ahmad al-Talkhawi.
[60] `Abd al-Wahhab ibn Ahmad ibn al-Dayri, Taj al-Din, son of Head Judge Sa`d al-Din son of Head Judge Shams al-Din al-Hanafi.
[61] `Abd al-Qadir ibn Muhammad son of Shaykh Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Bishr ibn Muhammad al-Matari.
[62] `Atiyya ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Fahd al-Makki, Wali al-Din Abu al-Fath; brother of our Shaykh al-Hafiz Taqi al-Din.
[63] `Ali ibn Ahmad al-Suwayfi al-Maliki, Nur al-Din Abu al-Hasan.
[64] `Abd al-Qadir ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Tukhi, Judge Muhibb al-Din Abu al-Baqa?.
[65] `Abd al-Karim ibn Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Nabrawi.
[66] `Ali ibn `Abd al-Rahim ibn Muhammad al-Qalqashandi al-Maqdisi.
[67] `Ali ibn Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Rahman ibn `Umar al-Bulqini, `Ala? al-Din, ibn Taj al-Din son of Head Judge Jalal al-Din son of Shaykh al-Islam Siraj al-Din.
[68] `Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al-Makhzumi al-Barqi al-Hanafi, Judge Nur al-Din.
[69] `Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn Ahamd ibn `Abd al-`Aziz al-`Uqayli al-Nuwayri al-Maliki, the Judge of Malikis in Makka, the student of my father, Nur al-Din ibn Qadi al-Kamal Abu al-Yumn.
[70] `Ali ibn Taj al-Din Muhammad son of the Gnostic Shaykh, my master (sayyidi) Yusuf al-`Ajami al-Kawrani.
[71] `Umar ibn Khalil ibn Hasan, Rukn al-Din Abu Hafs ? known as Ibn al-Mashtub.
[72] `Umar ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Fahd, our friend al-Hafiz Najm al-Din Abu al-Qasim, son of our Shaykh al-Hafiz Taqi al-Din ibn Fahd al-Makki.
[73] `Umar ibn Musa ibn al-Hasan al-Makhzumi al-Himsi al-Shafi`i, the Head Judge in Damascus, Siraj al-Din.
(74) `Ama?im daughter of al-Sharif al-Nassaba Imam Husam al-Din al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn Ayyub al-Husayni.
(75) Fatima bint Ahmad ibn `Abd Allah nephew (ibn akh) of Kamal; wife of al-Sharif al-Nassaba.
(76) Fatima bint Shihab al-Din Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Shughri.
(77) Fatima bint Abu al-Qasim `Ali al-Yasiri
(78) Fatima, Umm al-Hasan, bint Taj al-Din Muhammad son of Shaykh Yusuf al-`Ajami.
(79) Fatima bint Jamal al-Din Muhammad son of the Judge of Madina Zayn al-Din Abu Bakr ibn al-Husayn al-Maraghi al-Umawi.
[80] Qasim ibn `Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn al-Kuwayk al-Qabbani, Zayn al-Din.
(81) Kamaliyya bint Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Nasir ibn `Ali al-Kinani al-Makki.
(82) Kamaliyya bint Najm al-Din Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr ibn `Ali ibn Yusus al-Ansari al-Dhirwi al-Marjani al-Makki.
[83] Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn `Ali, al-Marrakishi, then al-Misri [originally from Marrakish, in Morocco, then resident of Egypt], the poet and man of letters, Asil al-Din ? known as Ibn al-Khudari.
[84] Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Abu Bakr ibn Isma`il al-Busiri, Nasir al-Din Abu al-Fath, son of al-Hafiz Shihab al-Din.
[85] Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Salih al-Shatanawfi.
[86] Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn `Abd Allah ibn Ahmad al-Qazwini, Judge Jalal al-Din.
[87] Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn `Abd Allah ibn Ahmad ibn `Abd Allah ibn Isma`il al-Ghumari al-Fazari al-Qarqashandi, Judge Najm al-Din.
[88] Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn `Abd al-Rahman al-Qummusi, Shams al-Din.
[89] Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn `Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Hajar al-`Asqalani in origin, the Egyptian of noble ancestry (al-`Asqalani al-asl, al-Misri al-asil), Badr al-Din Abu al-Sa`adat and Abu al-Ma`ali, son of the Hafiz of the Age (hafiz al-`asr), the Head Judge Shihab al-Din Abu al-Fadl.
[90] Muhammad ibn Ahamd ibn `Imad ibn Yusuf al-Aqfahsi, Shams al-Din, son of the Imam Shihab al-Din ibn `Imad al-Shafi`i.
[91] Muhammad ibn Ahamd ibn Muhammad al-Makhzumi al-Bani, Shaykh Shams al-Din ? the Shafi`i faqih.
[92] Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr ibn al-Husayn ibn `Umar al-Maraghi al-`Uthmani, Nasir al-Din Abu al-Faraj, son of the Judge of Madina, the distinguished Zayn al-Din al-Shafi`i.
[93] Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad al-Sanhuri, Judge Shams al-Din.
[94] Muhammad ibn Hasan ibn `Abd Allah ibn Sulayman ibn Muhammad al-Qarani al-Uwaysi, Badr al-Din Abu al-Ma`ali.
[95] Muhammad ibn Hasan ibn `Abd al-Wahhab al-Tarabulsi, Shams al-Din.
[96] Muhammad ibn Hasan al-`Alqami, Judge Baha? al-Din.
[97] Muhammad ibn Khalid ibn Jami` al-Bisati.
[98] Muhammad ibn `Abd Allah ibn Ibrahim al-Sa`di al-Azhari, Muhyi al-Din Abu Nafi`.
[99] Muhammad ibn `Abd Allah ibn Sadaqa al-Matbuli.
[100] Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Rahman ibn `Ali ibn Ahmad ibn `Abd al-`Aziz al-`Uqayli al-Nuwayri al-Makki al-Maliki, Kamal al-Din Abu al-Fadl.
[101] Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Rahman ibn Mansur ibn Muhammad al-`Asluni al-Fakiri al-Sakandari, then al-Dimyati [originally from Alexanderia; later a resident of Dimyat (another Egyptian city)].
[102] Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Rahim ibn `Ali ibn Mansur al-`Uqbi, Abu al-Khayr.
[103] Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Rahim ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Abu Bakr ibn Siddiq al-Tarabulsi al-Hanafi, Judge Mu`in al-Din.
[104] Muhammad ibn `Abd al-`Aziz ibn Muhammad ibn Muzaffar al-Bulqini, Judge Baha? al-Din Abu al-Baqa?, son of Judge `Izz al-Din.
[105] Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Wahid ibn `Abd al-Hamid ibn Mas`ud al-Siwasi, then al-Iskandari, the Mujtahid, most distinguished Kamal al-Din ibn al-Humam.
[106] Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Abu Bakr al-Shadhili, Shams al-Din Abu `Abd Allah, son of Shaykh Nur al-Din Abu al-Hasan al-Bandiqdari.
[107] Muhammad ibn`Ali ibn `Umar ibn Hasan al-Tilwani, Abu Hamid, son of Shaykh Nur al-Din al-Shafi`i.
[108] Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn Muhammad al-Halabi, Muhibb al-Din ibn al-Alwahi.
[109] Muhammad ibn `Umar ibn `Umar ibn Hisn al-Maltuti al-Wafa?i al-Azhari, Abu al-Fadl.
[110] Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Asyuti, Judge Fakhr al-Din.
[111] Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yusuf al-`Uqbi, Shams al-Din Abu al-Khayr.
[112] Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr ibn `Ali ibn Yusuf al-Ansari al-Dhirwi al-Marjani al-Makki, Kamal al-Din Abu al-Fadl, ibn Najm al-Din.
[113] Muhammad Abu al-Fath ? the brother of the afore-mentioned.
[114] Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Khidr al-Misri, Abu al-Barakat Badr al-Din.
[115] Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn `Abd Allah ibn Ahmad al-Ziftawi, Judge Nasir al-Din Abu al-Yaman.
[116] Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn `Umar ibn al-Zahid, Badr al-Din.
[117] Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Tabari al-Makki, the Imam of the Maqam Ibrahim [near the Ka`ba] in it, Muhibb al-Din Abu al-Ma`ali.
[118] Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn al-`Izz al-Misri, Radi al-Din, son of the scholar Muhaibb al-Din ibn al-Ujaqi.
[119] Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Husayn ibn `Ali ibn Ahmad ibn `Atiyya ibn Zuhayra al-Qurashi al-Makhzumi al-Makki al-Maliki, Radi al-Din Abu Hamid.
[120] Muhammad Wali al-Din Abu `Abd Allah ? the brother of the afore-mentioned.
[121] Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Rahman ibn `Abd al-Sattar al-Tankazi al-Hariri.
[122] Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn `Abd Allah ibn Fahd al-Hashimi al-`Alawi al-Makki, al-Hafiz Taqi al-Din Abu al-Fadl.
[123] Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali al-Gharraqi, Abu al-Su`ud.
[124] Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Samhudi, Wali al-Din.
[125] Muhammad ibn Muqbil ibn `Abd Allah al-Halabi, Abu `Abd Allah, the absolute Musnid of the whole world (musnid al-dunya `ala al-itlaq).
[126] Muhammad ibn Yusuf ibn Mahmud al-Razi, Shams al-Din, son of the distinguished, the Shaykh of the Shaykhuniyya [school] `Izz al-Din Abu al-Mahasin.
[127] Muhammad ibn Musa ibn Mahmud al-Hanafi, the Imam in Khanqah Shikho.
[128] Muslim ibn `Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr al-Asyuti, Judge Zaki al-Din Abu al-Manaqib, son of the Musnid Nur al-Din.
[129] Musa son of Amir al-Mu?minin al-Mutawakkil `Ala Allah Muhammad son of al-Mu`tadid bi Allah Abu Bakr al-`Abbasi.
(130) Nashwan bint al-Jamal `Abd Allah son of Head Judge `Ala? al-Din `Ali al-Kinani al-Hanbali, Umm `Abd Allah.
(131) Hajar daughter of the Muhaddith Sharaf al-Din Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr ibn `Abd al-`Aziz al-Qudsi, Umm al-Fadl.
[132] Yahya ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Munawi, our Shaykh, Shaykh al-Islam, the Head Judge, the Mujtahid al-Madhhab Sharaf al-Din Abu Zakariyya.
[133] Yahya ibn Muhammad ibn al-Aqsara?i, the Shaykh of the Hanafis, Amin al-Din.
[134] Yusuf ibn ?Inal Bay ibn Qujmas ibn `Abd Allah al-Zahiri.
[135] Yusuf ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali al-Falahi al-Sakandari, Judge Jamal al-Din.
So, these are 130(?) ones, who are my Shaykhs in Riwaya [of Hadith] who provide the shortest chains of transmission (`awali shuyukhi), among those belonging to the [first three] different classes (tabaqat). [It is worth noting that] al-Hafiz Abu al-Faraj ibn al-Jawzi documented the names of his Shaykhs (mashyakhatahu) and did not mention in it except less than a 100 persons.
As for the fourth class (tabaqa) among those whom I heard from [received Hadith through] or has given me an Ijaza? they are more than 200 persons. I refrained from mentioning them here due to the lack of any need to do so, since I do not report from them anything [any Hadith]. To the contrary, in most of the cases of Riwaya, I am equal to them in degree (musawi lahum fi al-daraja). [Anyway] they are all mentioned in the Dictionary (al-Mu`jam) [presumably, al-Suyuti means his large dictionary of Shaykhs, Hatib layl wa jarif Sayl.].
NOTES
1The book was edited by E. M. Sartain, who published it as a volume of her two-volume PhD thesis titled Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti. It was published by Cambridge University Press (1975).
