ALQAMAH BIN QAYS (raḥimahullāh)

Alqamah bin Qays (rahimahullāh) was one of the prominent faqīh (jurist) of the tābi‘īn. He was born in Kufa during the lifetime of Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam). However, he couldn’t meet Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

He studied qirā’ah (the science of the Noble Qur’ān) and fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) under Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ūd (raḍiyallāhu ‘anhu). He reported hadīth sharīfs from notables of the sahābah kiram, including Hadrat Umar, Hadrat Ali, Hadrat Abu’d Darda, Hadrat Āisha (raḍiyallāhu anhum).

From him, notables of the tābi‘īn such as Abu Wā’il, Ibrāhīm an-Nahā’ī, Ibn Sīrīn, and Sha‘bī (raḥimahumulllāh) reported hadīth sharīfs and acquired knowledge in other branches.

Ibn Abu Zabyān (rahmatullāhi alayhi) said: “I have been blessed to meet many of the Ashāb of Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) who were asking Alqamah (about some matters) and receiving fatwā (legal verdict) from him.”

The chain of scholars of Hadrat Imām Azam (rahmatullāhi alayhi) reaches to Hadrat Alqamah (rahmatullāhi alayhi) through Ibrāhīm an-Nahā’ī (rahmatullāhi alayhi).

Abu Ishaq (rahmatullāhi alayhi) reported that Alqamah bin Qays (rahmatullāhi alayhi) was one of the greatest awliyaullah (friend of Allāh).

Hadrat Alqamah (rahmatullāhi alayhi) resembled Ibn Mas’ud (raḍiyallāhu anhu) greatly in terms of ilm (knowledge) and akhlāq (manners).

Not only was he a master in fiqh but also in qirā’ah. Whenever Ibn Mas‘ūd (raḍiyallāhu ‘anhu) listened to him reciting the Noble Qur’ān, he was mesmerized by his recitation and would complement: “Keep reciting! May my mother and father be sacrificed for you. If Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saw you, he would be happy with you.”

Ibn Mas‘ūd (raḍiyallāhu ‘anhu) said: “No masāil (scholarly matters) were unknown to Alqamah.”

He was a man of taqwā (piety), humble and benevolent. He would often fast.

He passed away in Kufa in 62 A.H. When he passed away he did not leave anything behind except a Mushaf Sharīf (copy of Holy Qur’ān).