The yemeni scholar muhammad B. Ali Al-Shawkani (1173-1250/1760-1834) his life, works and times, together with a critical edition of Darr Al-Sihabah Fi Manaqib Al-Qarabah Wa-L-Sahabah

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is twofold. Firstly my aim has been to produce an edition of the so far unedited text of Muhammad b. Ali al-Shawkani, Darr al-sihabah fi manaqib al-qarabah wa-l-Sahabah. This edited text is to be found In Volume II. Muhammad b. Ali al-Shawkani, who died in 1250/1834, was a figure of major importance in the Yemen. A man of tremendous intellectual stature he wrote extensively on a number of subjects and for much of his life was chief gadi in Sanca. Volume I of this study is devoted to the man, his life, works and times. It is divided Into two parts: the first an historical survey, spanning the reign of four Zaydi imams and the second concerning the man and his works. Chapter one describes the Yemen under Imam al-Mahdi Abbas (d. 1189/1775). His son, al-Mansur Ali, was then appointed imam and his long reign until 1224/1809 occupies chapters two and three. Power then passed to al-Mansur's son, al-Mutawakkil Ahmad (d. 1231/1816), and a survey of his reign appears in chapter four. Finally of the Zaydiimams al-Mahdi Abdullah (chapter five) follows. He was to die a year after al-Shawkani in 1251/1835.Part two begins in chapter six with a discussion of al-Shawkani, the man, his education, his period of office as chief qadi and his disciples. It has then been my task to discuss al-Shawkani under the various disciplines in which he wrote: chapter seven, the mujtahid and faqih; chapter eight the muhaddith; chapter nine the mufassir and chapter ten the biographer/historian and poet.