Asad ibn al-Furat

Who is Asad ibn al-Furat? He is Abu Abdullah Asad ibn al-Furat ibn Sinan, the judge of Kairouan. He received his knowledge and lessons from Malik ibn Anas, may Allah have mercy on him. He is associated with the city of Nishapur and was born in 142 AH in the city of Harran in the Levant. His father was a leader of armies in the Maghreb. Asad was a judge and a warrior who studied hadith and tradition. He learned from elite scholars in Tunisia after moving there.

What was Asad ibn al-Furat's occupation? Asad ibn al-Furat came to Kairouan in 144 AH when he was two years old. The leader Ziyadat Allah ibn Ibrahim ibn al-Aghlab appointed him as a judge over all of Africa. He judged among people according to the Quran and Sunnah, fought against religious innovations, and combated innovators. He was the imam of all Iraqis in Kairouan, as he was a man of virtue, knowledge, and piety.

Who were Asad ibn al-Furat's teachers? There were many great teachers from whom Asad ibn al-Furat learned, including:

1. Abdullah ibn Wahb ibn Muslim al-Fahri

2. Abu Said Yahya ibn Zakariya al-Hamdani

3. Abu Abdullah Malik ibn Anas ibn Malik

4. Jarir ibn Abd al-Hamid ibn Jarir al-Razi

Who were Asad ibn al-Furat's students? Among those who studied under him were:

1. Ahmad ibn Musa ibn Jarir al-Azdi al-Attar

2. Abu Said Abd al-Salam Sahnun al-Tanukhi

3. Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Humaid al-Tamimi Abu al-Fadl

How did his academic journey begin? Asad ibn al-Furat memorized the Quran at a young age. He was the first to introduce Imam Malik ibn Anas's school of thought to the Maghreb, reviving it with knowledge and study day and night. He traveled to the East in 172 AH, seeking Imam Malik ibn Anas. He met the companions of Bani Hanifa in Iraq, learned from them directly, and transmitted their knowledge. He received the Muwatta of Malik ibn Anas directly, as Imam Malik was then in his eighties. He spent much time with him, absorbing his knowledge and jurisprudence. He also met Malik's companions and gained more fame with Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Qasim.

Where did Asad ibn al-Furat complete his studies? He completed his studies in Tunisia, learning from Ali ibn Ziyad al-Absi. He was the first to combine the schools of thought of the hadith scholars in Medina and another in Baghdad for the people of opinion. One of the results of the friendship between Asad ibn al-Furat and Ibn al-Qasim was the book "Al-Asadiyya," for which the latter had the greatest credit in writing and recording. It is mentioned that "Al-Asadiyya" is a large work comprising sixty books that he took from Ibn al-Qasim and used to record it. It is worth noting that Asad ibn al-Furat is considered the first founder of the Kairouani school of jurisprudence. He traveled to the East seeking hadith in 172 AH, and years later, he was appointed over Kairouan and became its judge in 204 AH.

How did Asad ibn al-Furat fight against religious innovations? He fought against all innovations and those who introduced them. He belonged to the people of Sunnah and creed, and he spread the Sunnah and Islamic creed everywhere he traveled, even outside Africa (now known as Tunisia).

When did Asad ibn al-Furat die? He died in the city of Syracuse in 213 AH after being injured during his siege of the city. He was buried in the city of Qasrianah. The Byzantines were defeated in their fight against Ibn al-Furat and offered peace, but the fighting intensified. The Romans expressed their desire to support Asad ibn al-Furat's army, but Asad the commander refused the support of the disbelievers. The Muslims besieged Syracuse from all sides, and disease and hunger afflicted many Muslims at that time. After the martyrdom of Commander Asad ibn al-Furat, Muhammad ibn Abi al-Jawari took command of the Muslim army and attempted to withdraw with what remained of his army after the great losses that resulted at that time.