Imam Bukhari
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
Imam Bukhari (RA) was born on the blessed day of Friday 13 Shawwal 194 (A.H). He had lost his eyesight in the early stages of childhood however due to the duas and prayers of his mother, his eyesight returned. One night his mother saw Saaiduna Ibrahim Alayhis Salam in her dream and he said “Due to your bountiful and sacred prayers Allah (SWA) has returned the eyesight of your son”.
Imam Bukhari (RA) first started listening and learning ahadith in 205 (A.H). He gained knowledge from many scholars and teachers but he profited mostly from Ishaaq Ibn Rahway (RA) and Ali Ibn Madeeni (RA).
Imam Bukhari (RA) wrote many books however Sahih Bukhari has gained a high status in the learning and praying of ahadith.
A specific date is not known as to when he started the writing of Sahih Bukhari. It has been recorded that it took Imam Bukhari (RA) a period of 16 years to gather the ahadith.
Imam Bukhari had taken great care in writing the ahadith and choosing those which met the standards and conditions which he set to find ahadith with only strong testimonials which included reliable testifiers.
Before he actually placed a hadith in his compilation he used to perform ghusl and prayed to Allah through two rakat nafl prayers asking for guidance.
Imam Bukhari died in the month of Shawwal 256 (A.H) at the age of 62.
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham.
