Sheikh Saduq was an Islamic intellectual, a master scholar of Shiism, and a learned man who wrote more than three hundred books. Unfortunately most of those books were lost.

 

Shaykh Saduq was the title given to Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn ‘Ali ibn Babawaih al-Qummi. He earned the title on account of his academic prowess and his reputation for honesty. 

 

Born in Qum around 917 CE, he grew up in the laps of virtue; his father used to feed him with knowledge, and circulate on him the lights of his purity. Qom was one of centers of study for Shi’ite traditions and it was this form of religious learning which held great influence over Shaykh Saduq.

 

His hometown swarmed with scholars and narrators, such as the master of the scholars of Qom Mohammed bin al-Hasan bin Ahmed bin al-Waleed and Hamza bin Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Ja’far bin Mohammed bin Zaid bin Ali, as well as many more, whose sessions and lectures were frequently attended by Saduq. After a while, Saduq became a great figure himself.

 

He academically exceeded his companions and was peerless in his fields of study in the arts and Islamic sciences.

 

Furthermore, the political circumstances of that period played a significant role in crystallizing the personality of Saduq, who lived in the Buyid Era.

 

Sheikh Saduq traveled far away from his hometown to seek further knowledge. He also attended the lessons of many scholars, as well as give lectures, in the various cities that he passed through.

 

A good look in his numerous books, such as al-Amali, Men La Yahdhuruh ul-Faqih, At-Tawhid, Thawab ul-A’maal, proves that he rested upon many of the Shiite and Sunni master scholars in the field of narrations. He also was influenced by innumerable scholars, including researches of the hadith, in his work.

 

Saduq died in 991 CE. He was more than seventy years old. He is buried in the city of Ray near the tomb of Abdul Azheem al-Hasani, Allah be pleased with him.

 

Today, his tomb is one of the famous shrines which is frequently visited by people who seek blessings.