The Scientific Contributions of Muhammad ibn Sa'd ibn Mani' al-Zuhri )d. 230 AH/844 CE)

(The Book of Classes as a Model)

Abstract

The concept of social strata and discussions about their ranks was present and significant among Arab Muslims, leading to the creation of scholarly works on the subject, which received attention and care from them. The emergence of these works was connected with efforts to document the biographies of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, as well as to know the Companions and the Followers during that period. These works began to develop at the start of the second century AH, when a type of Hadith criticism called 'Jarh and Ta'dil' emerged. Over time, its scope broadened beyond Hadith alone, encompassing various sciences and serving them in a way that can be said to form a record of different activities, whether scientific, cultural, or religious. Among the most famous books of biography in the third century AH is 'Kitab al-Tabaqat' by Ibn Saad, which contains important, extensive, and detailed information, and its author was recognised by Hadith scholars. Moreover, he drew information from diverse sources and presented original ideas. This research aims to highlight this significant scholarly achievement.