the loftiness of his chains of transmission and the breadth of his narrations. He had heard the greater part of what his father possessed, was thoroughly acquainted with the transmission routes, and was versed in much Qur’an exegesis, unusual wordings, and meanings. He also enjoyed a large share of knowledge of language and Arabic. He studied jurisprudence under his father and was consulted on legal rulings for the rest of his life. Because of his age and precedence he was a leading figure to whom fatwas were put. He belonged to the people of virtue, forbearance, dignity, and humility.

He compiled a substantial work on asceticism and heart-softening traditions, which he entitled “Shifāʾ al-Ṣudūr” (The Healing of Hearts). In his day students undertook journeys to see him. He was patient with seekers of knowledge and unfailing in public recitation, sitting for them the whole day and again between the two night prayers. Fathers and sons alike heard from him, and I myself heard the greater part of what he had. He said, “I was born in the year 433.”

He died in Jumādā al-Ūlā of the year 520 AH (1).

I say: Among those who narrated from him were the ḥāfiẓ Abū Bakr Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Jadd, ʿAbd al-Ḥaqq ibn Būnah, his brother Muḥammad, Aḥmad ibn ʿAbd al-Malik ibn ʿAmīra, Aḥmad ibn Yūsuf ibn Rushd, Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿUbādah, Muḥammad ibn Yūsuf ibn Saʿādah, Muḥammad ibn ʿArrāq, ʿAbd Allāh ibn Khalaf al-Fihrī, and many others.

298 – Abū Baḥr ibn al-ʿĀṣ Sufyān ibn al-ʿĀṣ ibn Aḥmad al-Asadī *

The precise imam and grammarian, Abū Baḥr Sufyān ibn al-ʿĀṣ ibn Aḥmad ibn al-ʿĀṣ ibn Sufyān ibn ʿĪsā al-Asadī, al-Murabīṭrī (2), a resident of Cordoba.