A comparative Study of Rijāli Views of Ibn al-Ghazāeri and al-Najjāshi

Ibn al-Ghazāeri and al-Najāshi are assumed to be rijāl scholars of early era whose thoughts have undoubtedly affect on rijāl scholars of late era. Ibn al-Ghazāeri was dependent to rijāli views of Qom’s Hadith narrators. Analyzing their rijāli perspectives indicates a sort of similarities between them. This point results from especially describing and introducing narrators in his Kitāb al-rijāl. Meantime, cooperation of al-Najjāshi and Ibn al-Ghazāeri and their use of narrators such as Hossein Ibn Obeidallāh al-Ghazāeri, the father of Ibn al-Ghazāeri, illustrates that they have similar views in terms of their rijali method and manner. Beside their identical views about substantial issues, we can point to the influence of Ibn al-Ghazāeri on al-Najashi. Comparing these two rijāli scholars on the basis of their significant works shows their approach to Ijtihād rather than their reliance on observation when stating rijali aspects of narrators. In addition to their matching viewpoints such as their scholarly views, opposition with some Qomi narrators, the difference between validity of narrator and their Hadith, al-Najāshi and Ibn al-Ghazāeri are similar in their citation of famous theory of jarh and tadil (disparagement and crediting of narrators of Hadith). There also found to be some differences between these two scholars’ ideas. Obvious instances of these differences can be found in their opposing rijāli views. For example, Ibn al-Ghazāeri is strict in expression of rijāli views which is formed on Qomi narrators’ rijāli views, while al-Najjāshi is more moderate even in disparagement of narrators.