Imām Ibn Abī Ḥātim al-Rāzī (d. 327 AH), while mentioning the journeys of his father, Imām Abū Ḥātim al-Rāzī (d. 277 AH), in the pursuit of ḥadīth, narrated the following:
“I heard my father say: ‘The first time I travelled to seek ḥadīth, I spent seven years. During that time, I counted my steps, and they exceeded a thousand leagues. A league is the distance of one and a half hours of travel. After that, I stopped counting. As for travelling between Kūfah and Baghdād, they were countless times. I travelled many times between Makkah and Madīnah. I journeyed on foot from the coast near Madīnah to Egypt, then from Egypt to Ramlah, from Ramlah to Bayt al-Maqdis, and from there to ʿAsqalān.
I travelled from Ramlah to Tiberias, then to Damascus, from Damascus to Ḥimṣ, from Ḥimṣ to Antākiyah, and then to Tarsus. I returned to Ḥimṣ, where I still had some ḥadīth to hear from Abū al-Yamānī, so I completed them. Afterwards, I travelled to Bayt Sheʿān, then to Raqqah, and from there to Baghdād by way of the Euphrates. I then departed for al-Shām, travelled to Wāsiṭ, and then to the Nile. From the Nile, I went to Kūfah. All of this was on foot during my first journey in search of knowledge, which lasted seven years, while I was only twenty years old. I left Rayy in Ramaḍān of the year 213 AH and returned in 221 AH.’”
This remarkable account reflects the immense dedication, patience, and sacrifice of the scholars of ḥadīth in preserving the Sunnah of the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ.
This beneficial series presents an explanation of the creed of the two great scholars of ḥadīth, Abū Zurʿah al-Rāzī (d. 264 AH) and Abū Ḥātim al-Rāzī (d. 277 AH), delivered by Islamic University of Madīnah graduate Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Uways al-Ṭawīl.
Through careful study of their statements and methodology, the series clarifies the ʿaqīdah of the early scholars, emphasizing adherence to the Qur’an and Sunnah upon the understanding of the Salaf. It highlights their firmness upon the truth, rejection of innovation, and commitment to authentic belief.
The lessons also serve as inspiration for students of knowledge, reminding them of the sincerity, perseverance, and humility required to seek beneficial knowledge.
This program is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to strengthen their creed and connect with the legacy of the early scholars.
