Bayhaqi

Bayhaqi refers to Abu Abd ar-Rahman Muhammad ibn Husayn al-Bayhaqi (994-1066), a prominent Persian Sunni scholar, jurist, and hadith specialist. He was born in the village of Bayhaq in the Khorasan region of Persia, which is now part of modern-day Iran. Al-Bayhaqi is highly regarded for his extensive contributions to Islamic jurisprudence and hadith literature.

He studied under numerous leading scholars of his time and traveled widely to acquire knowledge. Al-Bayhaqi became a renowned follower of the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence. His most famous works include the "Sunan al-Kubra," a comprehensive collection of hadith organized according to legal topics, and "Shu'ab al-Iman," which categorizes hadith based on different aspects of faith. He also wrote on theological matters, defending the Ash'ari theological school.

Al-Bayhaqi's methodology in hadith criticism was meticulous, and he is credited with preserving and transmitting a vast body of authentic prophetic traditions. His writings have had a lasting impact on Islamic scholarship, influencing subsequent generations of jurists and hadith masters. He is often referred to as "Shams al-A'immah" (Sun of the Imams) due to his eminence in Islamic learning. He passed away in Nishapur, another major center of learning in Khorasan.