He was ash-Shaykh al-Imaam al-‘Allaamah al-Bahr (the leading well-versed scholar of very expansive knowledge), an-nahwee (expert in Arabic grammar), imaamu ahlil-‘arabiyyah (authority among the scholars of Arabic language and linguistics), hujjatul-udabaa’ (point of reference among literary figures), baqiyyatus-salaf (remnant of the early generations of Islaam):

Jamaal ad-Deen Aboo ‘Abdillaah Muhammad ibn ‘Abdillaah ibn ‘Abdillaah ibn Maalik at-Taa’ee al-Andalusee{1} al-Jayyaanee{2}.

He settled in Dimashq (Damascus) later in life. He was born in the year 600h or 601h{3} [approx. 1204 common era].

In Dimashq, he heard hadeeth from Aboo Saadiq ibn Sabbaah, Mukrim ibn Abis-Saqr, and Abul-Hasan as-Sakhaawee.

He learned Arabic linguistics from several scholars, and qiraa’aat (modes of reciting the Qur’aan) from others. The remainder of his knowledge of the various disciplines of the Arabic language came from reading. He accompanied ibn ‘Amroon in Halab (Aleppo), was a prominent teacher there for a time, and led prayers at as-Sultaaniyyah. He later moved to Dimashq. He composed numerous written works, large numbers of students came to learn from him, and he became an outstanding figure. Eventually, he was cited as the exemplar of what it meant to be knowledgeable about the fine details of nahw (Arabic syntax), obscure details of sarf (Arabic morphology), advanced Arabic vocabulary, and poetry of the Arab people of old. Along with that all, he was known for having a strong memory, being very intelligent, avoiding what Islaam’s teachings prohibited, having sound religious practice, carrying himself well, and not being involved in anything that compromised his integrity. He was precise about texts and quotations he cited in his writings. He was endowed with strong intellect, deep perceptiveness, an intact innate sense of shame, deliberateness, propensity to extend benefit to others, and endurance in reading.

Several leading scholars studied to completion under his tutelage including ash-Shaykh Zayn ad-Deen ibn al-Munajjaa, ash-Shaykh Shams ad-Deen ibn Abil-Fath, his own son al-Imaam Badr ad-Deen ibn Maalik; and al-Haafith Shams ad-Deen ibn Ja‘waan.

Among those who narrated hadeeth from him were: our teacher Abul-Husayn [al-Yooneenee]{4}, with whom he precisely determined the pronunciations for the words of Saheeh al-Bukhaaree; Abul-Hasan ibn al-‘Attaar; az-Zayn Aboo Bakr al-Hareeree; ash-Shams al-Haadiree; al-Majd ibn as-Sayrafee; Shihaab ad-Deen ibn Ghaanim; and others. His written works spread far and wide, and very noteworthy leading figures attested to his prominence over them…

He died on 12 Sha‘baan 672h [approx. 1274 common era].

Notes:

{1} Ascription to al-Andalus (Muslim Spain during a past era of history).

{2} Ascription to Jayyaan. At the current time (15th hijree century / 21st common era century), there is a Province in Spain called Jaén which may represent the same geographical area.

{3} Dates taken from Taareekh al-Islaam 15/249, another work by al-Imaam ath-Thahabee.

{4} Addition from Taareekh al-Islaam 15/250.

References: Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa' 17/111 at-Tawfeeqiyyah.

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