I say: He produced a substantial compendium that embraces several branches of learning. Among his works are a Book on Siyar—twenty volumes in all—a Book of History(1), and a treatise refuting al-Shāfiʿī and the scholars of Iraq.
It is reported that when he died, tents were pitched around his grave and people remained there for a full month; food markets were set up on the spot, poets composed elegies for him, and the community mourned his passing(2).
He died in 265 AH.
Later I came across a lengthy biography of him in the History(3) of Abū Bakr ʿAbd Allah ibn Muḥammad al-Mālikī(4), wherein Abū al-ʿArab states:
“Ibn Sahnūn was a trustworthy imām, deeply learned in jurisprudence(5) and well versed in the transmitted reports. In his time no one combined the various branches of knowledge more completely than he did. He authored many books on all these subjects—about two hundred volumes—dealing with the sciences, the Prophet’s campaigns, and historical accounts.
His father used to say, ‘I liken him to none but Ashhab.’
He maintained his own study circle, separate from that of his father.
He was born in 202 AH and died in 256 AH.
Among those from whom he transmitted hadith were his father, Mūsā ibn Muʿāwiyah, and ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Yaḥyā al-Madani.
His journey to the East took place in 235 AH, during which he met Abū al-Muṣʿab al-Zuhrī and Yaʿqūb ibn Kāsib.”