Imam Muslim

His name was Abul-Hussain Muslim-bin-Habaj al Nishapuri. He was born
in a distinguished family of Arab Muslims in Khorasan which. was a
famous townof Russia. Imam Muslim was born in 817 A.D. corresponding
to the Islamic year 204 A.H. His forefathers occupied prominent
positions during the time of the fourCaliphs. He travelled to many
places with the object of learning Hadith, and after completing his
studies in the various centres of learning, he settled at Nishapur. He
spend the rest of his life teaching Hadith.
EDUCATION
Imam Muslim started his studies at the very early age of fourteen
years. In the year 218 A.H. the atmosphere in Nishapur, his
birthplace, was of a religious and knowledge type. Nishapur had great
personalities in this period such as lmaam Rahiwe andlmaam Zohri.
After travelling widely in search of Hadith, he settled in Nishapur as
mentioned above. Imam Muslim was much impressed by the vast knowledge
of Imaam Bukhari (R.A.), in the field of Hadith and the deep insight
he possessed on this subject. He therefore attached himself to
ImaamBukhari (R.A.) up to the end of his life. Imam Muslim was also an
admirer of another great teacher of Hadith, Muhammed bin Yahya al
Dhuli. He attended his lectures regularly. He visited Baghdad several
times and had the opportunity of delivering lessons there. His last
visit to Baghdad was two yearsbefore his death.
IMAM MUSLIM'S TEACHERS
Imam Muslim (R.A.) apart from attending the lessonsof Imaam Bukhari
regularly, also attended the lectures of lmaam Ahmad bin Hambal,
Abdullah al Qarri, Qutaiba bin Said, Abdullah bin Maslama and other
great Muhadith.
IMAM MUSLIM'S STUDENTS
Imam Muslim (R.A.'s) most noted students are Hatim Razi, Ahrnad bin
Salmah, Abu Isa Tinnizi, Abubaker bin Khuzaima and other great
scholars.
CHARACTER AND KNOWLEDGE
Imam Muslim R.A. adhered strictly to the path of righteousness. He was
in fact a great saint of a very high calibre. His excellent character
can be well judged from the simple fact that he never ever indulged in
backbiting, a very common human failing. He had a remarkable memory.
Ishaqbin Rahwi said of Imam Muslim; " I wonder what this person is
going to be?" This was said in his youth. Ishaq Kausar once addressed
lmam Muslim (R.A.) and said; "Your presence in the Muslim community
will always keep it in the good. " Abu Saimah who was a colleague of
lmam Muslim was so attached to him that while lmaam Sahib was busy
compiling the Sahih Muslim, he remainedin lmaam Sahib's companyfor
fifteen years. He never told a lie nor did he ever use vulgar words.
MASLAK
Sheikh Abdul Latief says Imaam Tirmidhi and ImamMuslim were followers
of the Shafee school of thought, although they were both Mujtahids.
Moulana Abdur-Rashid says that Imaam Muslim was a Maliki. The fact is
what was said by Sheikh Tahir Jazari that Imam Muslim is not a Maliki
nor aHanifi nor a Shafi, but his compilation of the sahih Muslim shows
that he was more inclined towards the Shafee school of thought.
SAHIH OF IMAM MUSLIM
Allamah Nabawi (R.A.) saysthat the Ummat have accepted the Bukhari
Shareef and Muslim Shareef as the Kitabs, which follow the Quraan, in
authenicity although the Bukhari is regarded as holding a higher
position than the Sahih Muslim for specific reasons, the sequence
applied in the Muslim is much better than that of Bukhari. It is known
as Al-Jamah as Sahih because it contains the eight different
subjectson Hadis.
AL-JAMAH AS SAHIH MUSLIM
Imam Bukhari (R.A.) concentrated his efforts oncompilation of
authentic hadith as well as deduction of Laws from Hadith. This is the
most difficult part to understandin the Bukhari. How he deduced Laws
from the Hadis, Imam Muslim concentrated his efforts only on
compilation of authentic Hadith.