The Tabi'in (Successors)

Definition

The Tabi'in (التابعون, singular: Tabi'i) are the generation of Muslims who met and learned from the Companions (Sahabah) of the Prophet Muhammad but did not meet the Prophet himself. They are the second most honored generation in Islam after the Companions. The Prophet said: 'The best of people are my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them' (Sahih al-Bukhari 2652).

Role in Islamic Scholarship

The Tabi'in played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting Islamic knowledge. They received hadith directly from the Companions, codified early Islamic law, and established the major scholarly centers of the Muslim world. Without their careful transmission, much of the Prophetic Sunnah would have been lost.

Notable Tabi'in

Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib (d. 713 CE): The greatest jurist of Madinah among the Tabi'in, known for his knowledge of hadith and fiqh. Hasan al-Basri (d. 728 CE): The leading scholar of Basra, known for his spirituality and eloquence. Muhammad ibn Sirin (d. 729 CE): Famous for his scrupulousness and dream interpretation. Ikrimah ibn Abdullah (d. 723 CE): The freed slave and student of Ibn Abbas, a leading authority in tafsir. Ata' ibn Abi Rabah (d. 733 CE): The mufti of Makkah, whose fatawa were accepted by all. Mujahid ibn Jabr (d. 722 CE): A student of Ibn Abbas whose tafsir opinions are quoted in all major commentaries.

Schools of the Tabi'in

The Tabi'in era saw the emergence of regional scholarly schools: the school of Madinah (which later produced the Maliki madhab), the school of Kufa (which later produced the Hanafi madhab), the school of Makkah, and the school of Basra.