Who is Ibn Jarir?

His name is Muhammad ibn Jarir ibn Yazid ibn Kathir ibn Ghalib, Abu Ja'far al-Tabari. He was born in Amul, Tabaristan, in the year 224 or 225 AH. He sought knowledge early in life, memorizing the Quran at seven years of age, leading people in prayer at eight, and writing Hadith (definition) at nine. He traveled in pursuit of knowledge to Baghdad, Basra, Kufa, Egypt, and Syria.

He was initially a Shafi'i, then he strived to establish an independent Madhhab (definition), which, however, did not last. Scholars such as Ibn Khuzaymah, Al-Khatib, and Al-Dhahabi praised him, commending his vast knowledge and numerous writings. He used to write forty pages daily, and it is said that his compositions amounted to 14 pages daily since reaching maturity. Among his most important works are: "Jami' al-Bayan" on Tafsir (definition), "Al-Tarikh" (History), "Latif al-Qawl fi Ahkam Shara'i' al-Islam," and "Tahdhib al-Athar." Al-Tabari passed away in 310 AH after severe tribulation and sectarian fanaticism that led to his confinement in his home and being accused of Shi'ism. He was buried in his house in Baghdad.