Born 326 A.H.
Died: 385 A.H.
1. He said: On the day of blanket, who was his second? Tell me. I
replied: He was the best of those, whom the tent covered. 2. He said: Tell me,
who became the chief and Amir on Ghadeer day? I replied: One, who is the
best Master (Wali) for Islam. 3. They asked: Did Ali get precedence? I
replied: No, all the merits derive their excellence from Ali. 4. But, I say how
the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, when he had gathered all the people. 5. Know
that one, whose master I am, this Ali is also is master. If one does not accept,
then I am also not his master.
Introduction to the poet
Sahib, Kafiul Kufa, Abul Qasim Ismail bin Abul Hasan Ubbad bin Abbas
bin Ubbad bin Ahmad bin Idris Taliqani. I have not seen any book of biography
but that it has mentioned his excellence, the most famous of them being
Yateematut Dahar1 of Thalabi from the ancient scholars. He has mentioned his
most detailed biography reaching upto 91 pages.
Sahib was born in an area of Fars and Istakhar or Taliqan in 16 Zilqad, 326
A.H.
His expertise in literary arts is well known and all admit to this fact. So
much so that Shaykh Bahai, in his treatise of Ghuslar Rijlain wal Masahha,
regards him as a Shia scholar and an equal of Kulaini, Saduq. Shaykh Mufeed,
Shaykh Tusi and Shaheed. Allamah Majlisi, at the beginning of his gloss on
Naqdur Rijal has considered him to be the most important jurist from the ancient
as well as modern period. At another place, he has included him among senior
tradition scholars and scholastic theologians.
In Fiqhatul Lughat, Thalabi has mentioned him as an Imam of lexicology,
whose books he trusted. Allamah Majlisi, in his Foreword to Biharul Anwar2 has
regarded him to be the most prominent scholar of literature, prosody and
language.
His verses regarding religion
Thalabi has mentioned the following verses in his Yateematut Dahar:3
“It is devotion to Ali Ibne Abi Talib, which guides towards Paradise. If
regarding Ali as the most excellent is heresy then curse of God be on
Sunnah.”
He has also mentioned the following verses:
“A Nasibi man said to me: Muawiyah is your maternal uncle and he is
the best of the maternal uncles. Thus, he is the maternal uncle of all
believers. I said: He is maternal uncle (Khaal), but he is devoid (Khaali) of
every goodness.”
Jurist of the two sanctuaries, Ganji Shafei (d. 658), says in Kifayatut Talib,4
and Khwarizmi in Manaqib,5 has mentioned his following verses:
1. Ameerul Momineen, O Murtada, indeed my heart stands before you. 2. When I compose a new poem about you, the Nasibi enemy says: You have forgotten6 the senior companions. 3. Who is pious as my master, Ali in such a way that he divorced the world thrice and did not reconcile to it. 4. Who was invited to eat the roasted fowl? And some of these merits are sufficient for us. 5. Who is the successor of Mustafa according to you? Successor of Mustafa (chosen Prophet) is one, who is chosen.
Sahib was having two finger rings, on one were inscribed the words:
“I rely on God and I seek mediation of the Holy Five.”
The other ring was inscribed with the words:
“Muhammad and his Purified Progeny are intercessors of Ismail in the hereafter.”
The Shaykh has mentioned the last point in his Majalisul Momineen7 and
our Shaykh, Saduq has also hinted to it at the beginning of his Uyunul Akhbar.8
Sahib and religion
No scholar has expressed any doubt in Sahib being a Shia Imamiyah as
proved from a large number of his poems regarding the Imams of Ahle Bayt (a.s.)
and also his literary prose, from which it can be concluded that he regarded them
to be better than others.
“How many have labeled me as Rafidhi for being devoted to you all and
prolongation of their howling has not prevented me from you.”
Sayyid Raziuddin bin Tawus, in the book of Al-Yaqin,9 has clarified about
his religion. We has narrated from Majlisi, the first10 that he regarded him as the
greatest Imamiyah jurist and his son in his foreword of Biharul Anwar11 has
followed in his footsteps and clarified that Sahib was an Imamite.
Although there are various false attributions regarding him, which say that
Sahib bin Ubbad was a Mutazalite or Shafei or Hanafite or Zaidi by religion.
Sayings of Sahib bin Ubbad, which have become proverbs in Arabic language
One, who seeks gifts from a river of potable water, is able to remove fresh pearls from it.
One, who stretches out his hand for rewards, tongues of request stretch out towards him.
One, who denies a divine favor, is eligible for chastisement.
One, whose flesh has developed of unlawful food, it will not reap, except a naked sword.
One, who is deceived by days of health, tongues of regret would also speak to him.
One, who is not affected by hints, will not benefit from more advice.
How often elegant statements are successors of prosperity and affluence.
Half a glance to the wise suffices him and seeing him once from the corner
of the eye makes him needless of being spoken to.
Knowledge is obtained by exchange of views and conversation; and
ignorance is due to denial and regarding others unimportant.
When words are repeated to the ears, they become entrenched in the heart.
A healthy conscience is more expressive than an eloquent tongue.
The best good turn is that which is filtered and perfect and the worst good
turn is that which is delayed at the time of doing it and it is smeared.
How often refraining from a statement makes the matter more clear and
conveys the aim better.
Every person has a hope and every act has a special time.
Denial of bounty is the source of chastisement.
Every seeker of truth does not reach it and every awaiter of cloud does not
benefit from rain.
Thalabi in Yateematuz Dahar12, has mentioned most of these statements full wisdom and in Ayanush Shia, our Sayyid, Amin has narrated all of them.13
This is a remarkable example of Shia, and these are his examples. This is the
minister of Shia and these are his wisdoms. This is the jurist of Shia and these are
his works. This is the Shia scholar and these are his words. This is the Shia
scholastic theologian and these are his statements. They were Shia men and these
are their contributions. The Shia are progeny of Allah; they should be as such,
otherwise they won’t be Shia.
Demise
Sahib passed away on Thursday, 24th Safar, 385 A.H. in Rayy. The markets
and the town was shut down and people gathered at his castle awaiting for his
bier. Fakhrud Daula and other nobles attended the funeral. When his bier was
brought out for funeral prayers. The people arose in his honor and a moan of grief
escaped their lips, they threw themselves in the dust, tore up their garments,
slapped their faces and lamented as long as they liked.
After the funeral prayer they hung his coffin from the roof by chains so that
it remains safe from animals14 and then it was transferred to Isfahan.
It would be clear for the reader that reasoning of a person like Sahib – who
is one of the pillars of lexicology and literature – in his poetry and prose through
tradition of Ghadeer about the excellence of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) is a strong
proof that his implication of Imamate and Caliphate from the term of Maula is
correct.