Name and Status
Zayd ibn Aslam al-ʿAdawi al-ʿUmari al-Madani was the imam, jurist, and role model, known as Abu Abdullah. He was among the trustworthy successors (Tabiʿin), scholars of Madinah, and heads of knowledge in his time. He was a scholar of both hadith and tafsir and is recognised as one of the devout scholars whose knowledge influenced generations.
Who He Narrated From
He narrated hadith from his father Aslam, who was the freedman of ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab. He also learned from many companions of the Prophet, including Ibn ʿUmar, Jabir ibn ʿAbdullah, Salamah ibn al-Akwaʿ, Anas ibn Malik, ʿAtaʾ ibn Yasar, ʿAli ibn al-Husayn (Zayn al-ʿAbidin), Saʿid ibn al-Musayyib, and others. These were major figures from the generation of the Sahabah and Tabiʿin, and Zayd studied closely under them.
Many of the great scholars of his generation narrated from him, including Malik ibn Anas, Sufyan al-Thawri, al-Awzaʿi, Hisham ibn Saʿd, Sufyan ibn ʿUyaynah, ʿAbd al-ʿAziz al-Darawardi, and his own sons: Usamah, Abdullah, and Abd al-Rahman. These sons also became transmitters of knowledge, especially ʿAbd al-Rahman, who narrated Zayd’s tafsir.
His Teaching and Character
Zayd had a teaching circle in the Prophet’s Masjid in Madinah. Abu Hazim al-Aʿraj described sitting with forty jurists in Zayd’s circle, saying that the least quality among them was that they would share what they had. He said he never witnessed debates or arguments over things that had no benefit. Abu Hazim also said, “May Allah never show me the day Zayd dies. No one was more pleasing to me in terms of my religion and soul than Zayd.” When the news of Zayd’s death came, it struck him so hard he could not bear to attend the funeral.
Zayd was highly respected among the scholars. Even ʿAli ibn al-Husayn, the great-grandson of the Prophet, would sit with Zayd. When some people criticised this, ʿAli ibn al-Husayn replied, “A man only sits with those who benefit him in his religion.”
His Tafsir and Piety
Zayd authored a well-known tafsir of the Quran, narrated by his son ʿAbd al-Rahman. His tafsir was based on narration, understanding, and reflection. He was not just a scholar of theory, but a man of action and inner sincerity. He was seen as someone who truly lived what he taught and guided others toward goodness through both his speech and actions.
His Role as a Leader and His Wisdom
Imam Malik said that Zayd was appointed as an administrator over the mining settlement of Banu Sulaym. This place was known for people being harmed by jinn. When the people complained to Zayd, he advised them to make the adhan loudly and consistently. They followed his advice, and the harm ceased from that day. Malik said, “I liked that solution that came from Zayd’s wise judgement.”
His Death
Zayd ibn Aslam passed away in Dhul-Hijjah in the year 136 AH. His son ʿAbd al-Rahman recorded the date. He left behind a legacy of knowledge, piety, and service to the religion. More than one hundred hadith are attributed to him in musnad form, and his students spread his teachings throughout the Muslim lands. His tafsir, hadith narrations, and wise sayings remained influential in Madinah and beyond.
