# Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari

> Iranian scholar, historian and commentator on the Qur'an (839–923)

**Wikidata**: [Q192124](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q192124)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Tabari)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/muhammad-ibn-jarir-al-tabari

## Summary
Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari was an Iranian scholar, historian, and commentator on the Quran, active during the Abbasid Caliphate (839–923). He is best known for his major works, including *Jāmiʻ al-Bayān ʻan Taʻwīl āy al-Qurʼān* (a Quranic exegesis) and *History of the Prophets and Kings*, a comprehensive Arabic-language historical chronicle. His contributions significantly advanced Islamic scholarship and theology.

## Biography
- Born: 839 (date and place not specified)
- Nationality: Iranian
- Education: Trained in Islamic theology and jurisprudence (details not provided)
- Known for: Authoring *Jāmiʻ al-Bayān ʻan Taʻwīl āy al-Qurʼān* and *History of the Prophets and Kings*
- Employer(s): Abbasid Caliphate (primary affiliation)
- Field(s): Islamic theology, jurisprudence, history, and Quranic exegesis

## Contributions
- **Jāmiʻ al-Bayān ʻan Taʻwīl āy al-Qurʼān** (c. 9th century): A major Quranic exegesis that provided interpretations of the Quran’s verses, influencing later Islamic theological scholarship.
- **History of the Prophets and Kings**: A comprehensive Arabic-language historical chronicle that documented the lives of prophets and kings, contributing to Islamic historical studies.
- **Tahdhib al-Athar**: A collection of hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) that compiled and organized traditional Islamic teachings.

## FAQs
**What were Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari’s most significant works?**
Al-Tabari’s most significant works include *Jāmiʻ al-Bayān ʻan Taʻwīl āy al-Qurʼān*, a Quranic exegesis, and *History of the Prophets and Kings*, a historical chronicle. His *Tahdhib al-Athar* also compiled hadith, furthering Islamic theological and jurisprudential traditions.

**In which period did Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari live?**
Al-Tabari lived during the Abbasid Caliphate, from 839 to 923 CE, a period marked by the Islamic Golden Age and significant advancements in scholarship and governance.

**What role did Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari play in Islamic theology?**
Al-Tabari was a prominent figure in Islamic theology, contributing to Quranic exegesis and hadith scholarship. His works influenced later generations of Islamic scholars and jurists.

## Why They Matter
Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari’s contributions to Islamic scholarship and theology were foundational. His Quranic exegesis and historical works provided essential resources for understanding Islamic doctrine and history. His *History of the Prophets and Kings* remains a key reference in Islamic studies, while his hadith compilations helped preserve and organize traditional Islamic teachings. Al-Tabari’s influence extended across generations of scholars, ensuring the continuity of Islamic knowledge during the Abbasid era.

## Notable For
- Author of *Jāmiʻ al-Bayān ʻan Taʻwīl āy al-Qurʼān*, a landmark Quranic exegesis.
- Compiler of *History of the Prophets and Kings*, a major historical work in Islamic scholarship.
- Contributor to *Tahdhib al-Athar*, a significant collection of hadith.
- A leading scholar during the Islamic Golden Age, shaping theological and historical discourse.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari was born in 839 CE, though his exact birthplace is not specified. He received his education in Islamic theology and jurisprudence, likely under the patronage of the Abbasid Caliphate, which was a center of learning during the Islamic Golden Age.

### Scholarly Contributions
Al-Tabari’s most notable work, *Jāmiʻ al-Bayān ʻan Taʻwīl āy al-Qurʼān*, was a comprehensive Quranic exegesis that provided interpretations of the Quran’s verses. This work became a cornerstone of Islamic theological scholarship, influencing later generations of scholars. His *History of the Prophets and Kings* documented the lives of prophets and kings, contributing to Islamic historical studies. Additionally, his *Tahdhib al-Athar* compiled and organized hadith, furthering Islamic jurisprudential traditions.

### Influence on Islamic Scholarship
Al-Tabari’s contributions were instrumental in shaping Islamic theology and jurisprudence. His works were widely studied and referenced by later scholars, ensuring the preservation of Islamic knowledge. His historical chronicle, in particular, remains a key resource for understanding the Islamic world during the Abbasid era.

### Legacy
Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari’s legacy endures through his scholarly works, which continue to be studied and referenced in Islamic theological and historical studies. His influence on Islamic scholarship during the Abbasid Caliphate was profound, ensuring the continuity of Islamic knowledge for future generations.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. datos.bne.es
3. Library of the World's Best Literature
4. CiNii Research
5. Integrated Authority File
6. Encyclopædia Universalis
7. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
8. AlKindi
9. OpenITI corpus
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index15.html)
12. BBC Things
13. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/taberi-muhammed-b-cerir)