His Name and Status
Mālik ibn Dīnār was known as the pious scholar and hadith narrator, Abu Yahya al-Sijistani al-Madani. He was one of the trustworthy Tabiʿin and counted among the righteous scholars who combined knowledge with deep piety and humility. He was also among the notable copyists of the Quran in his time and was known to write copies of the mushaf by hand, which was considered a noble form of earning.
Early Life and Teachers
He was born during the lifetime of Ibn Abbas. Among the companions and major Tabiʿin he heard from were Anas ibn Malik, al-Ahnaf ibn Qays, Saʿid ibn Jubayr, al-Hasan al-Basri, Muhammad ibn Sirin, and al-Qasim ibn Muhammad. He narrated from others as well, though he was not among the most prolific narrators.
Those Who Narrated From Him
A number of trustworthy transmitters narrated from him, such as Saʿid ibn Abi ʿArubah, Abdullah ibn Shawdhub, Hammam ibn Yahya, Aban ibn Yazid al-ʿAttar, ʿAbd al-Salam ibn Harb, al-Harith ibn Wajih, and many others.
Though his narrations are not numerous, he was respected for the truthfulness and goodness of what he did narrate.
Praise from the Scholars
He was declared trustworthy by many scholars, including al-Nasaʾi. Imam al-Bukhari also used him for supporting evidence in hadith, and his narrations are generally considered to reach the level of hasan. Ali ibn al-Madini said that the total number of his hadith is around forty. Ibn Saʿd also considered him trustworthy and described him as being limited in narration, mainly focused on copying mushafs.
His Worship and Wisdom
Mālik ibn Dīnār was known for his deep asceticism, sincerity, and simple lifestyle. He once said: “I wish my provision were in a single pebble that I could suck on and never seek anything else until I die.” He also said: “Since I came to know people, I never became happy with their praise nor sad with their criticism. Their praise is often exaggerated, and their blame is often unfair.”
He believed that true knowledge humbles a person. He said: “If a scholar learns knowledge for action, it will humble him. If he learns it for something else, it will only increase his pride.”
His Advice to the Rulers and Public Incidents
One famous incident happened when al-Muhallab ibn Abi Sufrah passed by him walking arrogantly. Mālik said: “Do you not know that this is a walk Allah hates, except between two lines in battle?” Al-Muhallab said, “Do you know who I am?” Mālik replied: “Yes, your beginning is a dirty drop, your end is a rotten corpse, and in between you carry filth.” Al-Muhallab was humbled and said, “Now I truly know myself.”
His Background and Lifestyle
It was said that his father Dīnār was from the people of Sijistan. Mālik had very simple clothing and food. Shubah said that his yearly food cost just two small coins for salt. He once said, “If I could avoid sleep out of fear of punishment, I would.” He would shout: “O people, the Fire! The Fire!”
He once said: “I mixed ashes with my flour and became too weak for prayer.” He was deeply committed to worship and self-discipline. He said: “The heart without sorrow is a ruined heart,” and, “Whoever distances himself from the pleasures of the world has defeated his desires.”
His View on Actions and Trials
He said: “There is no good deed except that it is followed by a test. If the person remains patient, it leads to comfort. If not, he turns back.” He was once approached by a thief who found nothing in his house. Mālik called out to him: “You found nothing from this world, would you like something from the next?” The thief said yes. Mālik told him to make wudu and pray two rakʿat. He did, then sat and left for the masjid. When asked who the man was, Mālik replied: “He came to steal from us, but we stole him.”
His Words About Knowing Allah
Salam al-Khawwas narrated that Mālik said: “The people of the world left the world without tasting its sweetest thing.” He was asked what that was, and he said, “Knowing Allah.” He also said: “When the righteous hear the Quran, their hearts long for the next life,” then he would recite and say: “Listen to the words of the One who speaks from above His Throne.”
His Work as a Quran Copyist
Jabir ibn Zayd once entered upon Mālik while he was writing and asked, “Do you have no other work?” Mālik replied that he was copying the Book of Allah, which is the most lawful earning. He used to take four months to copy a mushaf, then leave the money with a grocer and live off it. He deeply respected the work of copying the Quran and saw it as a pure source of income.
His Relationship With the Scholars of His Time
Mālik once visited Anas ibn Malik along with Thabit al-Bunani and Yazid al-Ruqashi. When Anas saw them, he said: “You remind me of the companions of the Prophet. I love you more than many of my own children, unless they reach your level of virtue. I make duʿa for you at the end of the night.”
Final Reflections
Mālik ibn Dīnār lived a life of simplicity, worship, wisdom, and truth. He remained committed to the Quran, whether through copying it or living by it. His statements touched people’s hearts, and his actions showed sincerity. He did not seek fame, wealth, or status, and those who met him were often changed by his words or silence. Though his narrations were few, his legacy in worship, knowledge, and deep inner reform lives on.
His Sickness and Death
During his final illness, Hazzam al-Qutʿi said they entered upon him while he was struggling with death. Mālik looked up and said: “O Allah, You know I never wished to stay in this world for the sake of my stomach or private desires.”
He passed away in 127 AH, according to al-Sari ibn Yahya. Ibn al-Madini gave another opinion that he died in 130 AH.
Siyar A’lām al-Nubalā By Ad Dhahabi (5/362-364)
