Nafi

Nafi was a mawla (freed slave) of Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) who served him for many years and became one of the most important figures in the chain of hadith transmission. His exact origins are uncertain — some accounts suggest he was from Nishapur in Khorasan and was brought to Medina as a captive. He spent his life in close proximity to Ibn Umar, learning from him directly and recording his practices in meticulous detail. He became the primary transmitter of Ibn Umar's narrations to the next generation, and his chain — Malik from Nafi from Ibn Umar — was famously called by Imam al-Bukhari the 'Golden Chain' (silsilat al-dhahab). He also transmitted from other companions and Tabi'in. Imam Malik ibn Anas was his most celebrated student and drew heavily on his narrations in al-Muwatta. He is regarded by scholars of hadith criticism as fully reliable and trustworthy (thiqah). He passed away in Medina around 117–120 AH.