Yahya ibn Muhammad ibn Hubayrah

Yahya ibn Muhammad ibn Hubayrah is known by other names and titles. One of these is Awn Al-Deen, but perhaps the one which describes him best is “the just minister and scholar.”

He was born in 499 A.H., corresponding to A.D. 1106 in a village near Baghdad known by the name of its richest family, Bani Awqar. His father was a soldier stationed in this village, but he encouraged his son to pursue a line of scholarship.

In his early years, he used to take him to Baghdad where he would attend with him some of the best scholarly circles in the capital city of the Muslim state.

But his father died when our scholar was still young, leaving him practically nothing. Yet poverty was not to stop him from following the line indicated by his father. He settled in Baghdad when he was an adolescent, and memorized the Qur’an, following that by studying the different methods of recitation of the Qur’an. He also studied the Hadith under the best known scholars of his time.

He did not confine himself to the study of the Qur’an and Hadith, but added to that a study of literature and linguistics, as well as Fiqh, or Islamic law. He followed the Hanbali school of law, and was very meticulous in adhering to the Sunnah.


As a poor student, Ibn Hubayrah needed to work in order to support himself. He started his work as a clerk, but he later managed to get employment in the caliph’s palace.

His first work there was in the storehouse and soon was to be the supervisor there. This brought him in personal contact with the caliph, Al-Muqtafi. It was sufficient that the caliph should know him to ensure his promotion, considering his talent, scholarship and sound mind and reasoning.

Thus, when Ibn Hubayrah was 43 years of age, he became head of the caliph’s court. This was a very high position which enabled him to give sound advice to the caliph. The latter recognized Ibn Hubayrah’s fine qualities, such as his honesty, integrity and diligent approach to his work.

Two years later, i.e. in 544 A.H., Al-Muqtafi appointed him as his minister. This post corresponds to that of prime minister in our modern times. Ibn Hubayrah was to continue in this position for the rest of the reign of Al-Muqtafi, i.e. 11 years, and for five more years in the reign of Al-Mustanjid, Al-Muqtafi’s son and successor.


Ibn Hubayrah wrote several books, the most important of which is one in 19 volumes, known as Al-Ifsah an Ma’ani Al-Sihah, which may be translated as “Exposition of the Meanings of Authentic Hadiths”.

This book is a commentary and explanation of the meaning of the two Sahih collections by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. It is to be noted that Ibn Hubayrah wrote at length on the Hadith which says: “When God wants to bless one of His servants, He enables him to acquire sound learning in religion.” He writes on the meaning of such sound learning, or Fiqh, and compares the approach of each of the four major schools of law to Fiqh.

Many scholars have praised what Ibn Hubayrah has written on this Hadith, taking it out and making it a separate book, which was published in Aleppo, Syria as early as 1929. It bears the name of the book, Al-Ifsah, when it is in fact only a portion of it.


Another book by Ibn Hubayrah tackles the five pillars of Islam, explaining them according to the Hanbali school of law. Another book is called Al-Muqtassid, which is a grammar manual. Ibn Al-Khashshab wrote an annotated commentary of this book in four volumes. Ibn Hubayrah wrote several other books in different disciplines, but most of these have been lost. One of these is a poetry collection, in which he writes much of his own poetry, as well as selections from other poets.


Many scholars have praised Ibn Hubayrah highly. Imam Ibn Al-Jawzi says: “Ibn Hubayrah was a scholar of sound knowledge in linguistics, poetry, Fiqh and other disciplines. He was meticulous in following the Prophet’s Sunnah, exerting his best effort to stick to what is right and to avoid injustice. He used to praise God frequently for His blessings, always remembering the old time when he was very poor. He would acknowledge any favor done to him indicating who has done it.”

Ibn Kathir says of him: “He was one of the best to hold the post of minister. He followed a fine policy, and was keen to avoid any injustice.”


Other scholars speak of him in the same vein. He was indeed a man who did his best to determine the best course to follow in any situation. He was very keen to maintain the path of justice in all cases. He favored the best company of scholars of Fiqh and Hadith as well as those known for their piety. He helped them financially.

Indeed, he spent all his money on helping people. He is quoted to have said when he was in his post as minister: “I used to pray to God to give me plenty of money so that I could be of service to scholars and scholarship.” This explains the fact that he never had to pay zakah, because he would not keep money for himself, preferring to spend all his income helping others. But he was a man of sincerity. He built a school and a mosque in the village where he was born.

But neither his generosity, nor his keenness to administer justice could spare him trouble. There were those who wished to get rid of him. Some looked at him with envy; others felt that he stood in their way to advancement. Therefore, they conspired to get rid of him. Most reports indicate that he was poisoned. This was apparently done through his doctor, whom they either bribed or pressurized to administer poison to him. The doctor himself was poisoned some six months later, and he said: “I have been given the same cup to drink.” We have reports suggesting that the caliph himself, Al-Mustanjid, was party to this conspiracy, or at least he knew of it.

Apparently Ibn Hubayrah’s family was brought low as a result. His heirs were forced to sell some of their clothes and furniture, as well as his books. These were bought by some of his enemies, who washed these books to destroy them. His children and other members of his family were arrested and imprisoned by the caliph after his death. There was no specific charge against Ibn Hubayrah. Had there been, he could have been tried or removed from office. But apparently, it was all a question of jealousy and intrigue.

Ibn Hubayrah’s death occurred in 560 A.H. May God shower His mercy on him.
Ameen.