A Humble Autobiography
Translated
By
Abbas Abu Yahya
These are our Salaf as-Salih.
Imam Adh-Dhahabi (d. 748 A.H.) -Rahimahullaah- did not write his autobiography in his book ‘Seer an-Nubala’ even though he mentioned many of his peers and those at his time.
However, he wrote a brief autobiography which was characterized by humility and contained admonition for arrogant and proud people.
He mentioned the autobiography in one of his books called ‘al-Mu’jam al-Mukhtus bilmuhaditheen’.
He wrote:
‘Adh-Dhahabi, a compiler of narrations, Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Uthman bin Qayimaz Ibn shaykh Abdullaah at-Turkamani al-Farqi then Damishqi ash-Shafi’ee, a recitor, al-Muhaddith, the compiler of this collection.
He was born in the year 673 A.H. He gathered some writings.
It is said, that he is beneficial and he is given preference by a group of scholars! They praise him, but he is more informed of his ownself and his deficiency in knowledge and action.
Allaah’s help is sought, there is no power or might except with Him.
If my eemaan was safe then what a great success that would be!’
[From: ‘al-Mu’jam al-Mukhtus bilmuhaditheen’ p. 97]
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هولاء هم سلفنا الصالح
لم يُترجم الذهبي رحمه الله لنفسه في السير، مع أنه ذكر فيه كثيرًا من أقرانه ومعاصريه، ولكنه ترجم لنفسه ترجمةً مختصرة، فيها تواضع جمّ وعِظَة لأهل التعاظم والتعالي، ذكرها في كتاب آخر له اسمه “المعجم المختص بالمحدثين” فقال:
“الذهبي، المُصنِّف، محمد بن أحمد بن عثمان بن قايماز ابن الشيخ عبد الله التركماني الفارقي ثم الدمشقي الشافعي المُقرئ المحدث، مُخَرِّج هذا المعجم. وُلِد سنة ثلاث وسبعين وستمائة، وجمعَ تواليفَ، يُقالُ: مفيدة، والجماعة (يتفضلون!) ويُثنون عليه، وهو أخبرُ بنفسه وبنقصه في العلم والعمل، والله المستعان ولا قوة إلا به، وإذا سلِم لي إيماني فيا فوزي!”
[المعجم المختص بالمحدثين صـ٩٧]
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