Abdullah Yazdi
Mullā ʿAbdullāh Yazdī | |
|---|---|
ملا عبد الله یزدی | |
| Personal life | |
| Died | 1573 |
| Era | Safavid Iran |
| Region | Iran |
| Main interest(s) | Logic (Manṭiq), Islamic philosophy, Jurisprudence (Fiqh) |
| Notable work(s) | Ḥāshiya (gloss) on Tahdhīb al-Manṭiq wa’l-Kalām by Al-Taftazani |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Islam |
| Senior posting | |
Influenced by | |
Influenced
| |
Mulla Abdullah Yazdi (also known as Mulla Abdullah Bahabadi Yazdi; died 1573) was a Persian scholar, logician, jurist (faqih), and scholar of the Safavid period. remembered primarily for his gloss (ḥāshiya) on Al-Taftazani's Tahdhīb al-Manṭiq wa’l-Kalām (“The Refinement of Logic and Theology”).[1][2] His works circulated widely in Iran, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent, and his commentaries became part of the scholastic curricula of both Shiʿite and Sunni traditions especially within the Dars-i-Nizami framework.
Born in Bahabad, near Yazd, he died in 1573 (981 AH), with his final resting place at the Mosque of Ali in Najaf.[3]
Regarded as a leading figure in Islamic logic and jurisprudence, Yazdi was institutionally recognized by the Safavid rulers. He served as manager and treasurer of the Imam Ali Shrine, a role later inherited by his descendants.[4]
Scholarly contributions
- Sharḥ Tahdhīb al-Manṭiq: Yazdi’s most famous contribution is a commentary (ḥāshiya) on Al-Taftazani's Tahdhīb al-Manṭiq wa-l-Kalām.[5] This minor commentary on logic, which became a fundamental text in Shia and even Sunni schools for centuries.[6][4] Despite its brevity, it garnered high acclaim: scholars noted that “Mulla Abdullah’s margin in logic was an exceptional and extraordinary work... mastery over logical thoughts” and that “many margins are written on his margins”.[4][7]
Intellectual influence and recognition
His commentaries were studied widely in Central Asia, as reflected in sources like Firdaws al-iqbāl, the Khorezmian chronicle that mentions him among notable scholars of the region.[8]
His works were still part of the Shi’ite scholastic curriculum in nineteenth-century madrasas in Iran and India.[9] Students from India traveled to Iran to study rational sciences under teachers influenced by Yazdi and his contemporaries.[10][11]
Notably, Baha al-Din al-Amili (1547–1621), the celebrated scholar of Safavid Iran, is said to have studied under Yazdi.[12][13]
Modern scholarly and religious circles continue to honor his legacy. For example, in May 2025, in Iran an international conference entitled The Logical Thoughts of Mullah Abdullah Yazdi: Comparative Analysis, Innovations, and Influence in the Tradition of Islamic Logic was held.[14][15] Noor Farghan Instiute has listed the thoughts of Yazdi as a research priority for the doctoral and master's education on his intellectual thought.[16]
References
- ^ "Alphabetical Index of manuscripts in Government Oriental MSS. Library, Madras-Sanskrit, Telugas (Etc.)". 1893.
- ^ Islamic Intellectual History in the Seventeenth Century. Cambridge University Press. 8 July 2015. ISBN 978-1-107-04296-4.
- ^ "Iranian Delegation to Visit Russia to Introduce Allama Behabadi Yazdi".
- ^ a b c "The Dean of the College participates in a meeting to discuss the preparation for the Allama Al-Bahabadi Al-Yazdi conference". 20 September 2023.
- ^ https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-oxford-handbook-of-islamic-philosophy-9780199917389
- ^ "درس نظامی اور اس کی بابت خدشات کا ازالہ ...(حصہ دوم)".
- ^ https://journal.uokufa.edu.iq/index.php/Kufa_Review/article/download/4484/pdf_127/8519
- ^ Munis, Shir Muhammad Mirab; Agahi, Muhammad Riza Mirab (25 October 2021). Firdaws al-iqbāl: History of Khorezm. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-49198-4.
- ^ El-Rouayheb, Khaled (8 July 2015). Islamic Intellectual History in the Seventeenth Century. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-04296-4.
- ^ Naseem, Hamid (2001). Muslim Philosophy: Science and Mysticism. Sarup & Sons. ISBN 978-81-7625-230-0.
- ^ Islam and the Modern Age. Islam and the Modern Age Society. 1988.
- ^ Grimal, François (2001). "Les Sources et le Temps".
- ^ "Sheikh Bahai".
- ^ "The Logical Thoughts of Mulla Abdullah Yazdi Bahabadi: Comparative Analysis, Innovations, and Influence on the Islamic Logical Heritage".
- ^ "Grand Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani issues message to Int'l Conference on "Logical Thoughts of Mulla Abdullah Yazdi"". 19 May 2025.
- ^ https://nooreforghan.ir/en/index.php/research-priorities