Zurarah ibn A'yan


Zurarah ibn A'yan was a famous companion of Imam Baqir, Imam Sadiq, and Imam Kazim.
He was a Muhaddith and Islamic scholar with great knowledge in religion,and was also one of the companions known as the "companions of consensus" whose hadith are given extra credence by Shia scholars. Muhaddith Qummi in his book Tuhfah al-Ahbab said that "his excellence and status are too great to mention here".

The origin of his family

Some say that his real name was 'Abd Rabbah, and Zurarah was a nickname. He was also known as Abu al-Hasan. Some reports say that his father was a Byzantine monk who was captured and sold into slavery in a Muslim territory to someone from the Shaybani clan, which Zurarah remained affixed to.

Authencity of Zurarah

More than 2,000 hadith are attributed him. He is described in biographical literature as "respected" and trustworthy". It was narrated that: "Were it not for Zurarah, the sayings of my father would vanish soon".

Death

He died between 766-777 AD/149-150 AH in Kufa, Iraq.