Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Abu Zaid Al-Marwazi (rahimahullah) was a great Shaafi’ee faqeeh and Muhaddith. He was the ustaad of many eminent Muhadditheen, the likes of Imaam Daaraqutni (rahimahullah).
It is reported that initially, he had not studied the Saheeh of Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah). However, he thereafter studied Saheeh Bukhaari under Imaam Farabri (rahimahullah), the student of Imaam Bukhaari (rahimahullah), until he became one of the main narrators of the Saheeh Bukhaari from Imaam Farabri (rahimahullah).
In regard to the incident that led him to studying Saheeh Bukhaari, Abu Zaid (rahimahullah) mentions:
I was once asleep in the area between the Hajar-e-Aswad and the Maqaam-e-Ebrahim when I had a dream. In the dream, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) addressed me and said, “O Abu Zaid! How much longer will you study the kitaab of Imaam Shaafi’ee (rahimahullah)? Why do you not study my kitaab?” I immediately asked, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Which is your kitaab?”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “The kitaab of Muhammed bin Ismaa’eel Bukhaari (rahimahullah).”
(Siyar A’laamin Nubalaa 12/438)
