Full Name: ‘Alee ibn ‘Abdillaah ibn Ja’far ibn Najeeh, As Sa’dee.

Kunya: Abu al Hasan ibn al Madeenee al Basree.

Born: 162 H

Died: 235 H

He narrated upon the authority of his father, Hamaad ibn Zayd, ibn ‘Uyaynah, ‘Abdullah ibn Wahb and many more.

Amongst the many who narrated on his authority: Al Bukhari, Abu Dawud, At Tirmidhi, ibn Maajah, an Nasaa-ee and many others.

Al Bukhari stated: ‘He was the most knowledgeable person of his time.’

Abu Haatim ar Raazee stated: ‘Alee was a distinguished symbol amongst the people in the knowledge of Hadeeth and its defects. Al Imam Ahmad never used to say his name, he used say his Kunya out of respect for him, I never heard al Imam Ahmad mention him by name.

Ibn ‘Uyaynah stated: They fault me for the love of ‘Alee, by Allah, I learnt more from him than him from me.

Muhammad ibn Qudaamah al Jawharee stated: I heard ibn ‘Uyaynah say:

‘If it were not for ‘Alee ibn al Madeenee I would not have sat to gain knowledge.’

‘Abdur Rahmaan ibn Mahdee stated: ‘Alee ibn Madeenee is the most knowledgeable of people concerning the Ahadeeth of the Messenger of Allah - صلى الله عليه وسلم - especially what was narrated on the authority of ibn ‘Uyaynah.

Ibn Junayd stated on the authority of ibn Ma’een: ‘Alee al Madeenee is the greatest narrator on the authority of Yahya ibn Sa’eed, I saw more than ten thousand people sitting in his classes. It was said to him; ‘More than Musadad.’ He replied; ‘Yes, and Yahya ibn Sa’eed used to honor him, keep him close and accompany him, and ‘Alee always used to be with him.’

Abu Qudaamah as Sarkhasee said: I heard ‘Alee al Madeenee saying: ‘I saw in a dream that the treasures came close and I was able to take from them.’ Abu Qudaamah stated; ‘By Allah, indeed he spoke the truth, for he attained a level in Hadeeth that no one else has reached.’

Abu ‘Abdur Rahmaan an Nasaa-ee stated: ‘It is as if Allah created ‘Alee ibn al Madeenee for this purpose.’

Ahmad ibn Sa’eed ar Rubaatee stated: ‘Alee said: ‘I never studied a book of a Shaykh and then needed to refer to other than myself about it.’

Al A’een stated; ‘I saw ‘Alee al Madeenee lying down, Ahmad ibn Hanbal was at his right and ibn Ma’een was at his left and he was dictating to them.’

‘Alee ibn al Madeenee stated; ‘I discarded 100 000 Ahadeeth of mine, 30 000 of them were on the authority of ‘Abaad ibn Suhayb.’

To be updated continually…