Ibn Jurayj on the People of the Book

Let's read Makkite kitâbî-law more closely.

'Abd al-Razzâq was one who relied upon the notebooks and lectures of teachers before him. Ma'mar bin Râshid is the most striking source, whether or not he is the main source: the Musannaf's Maghâzî and closing Jâmi' sections are so heavily Ma'mar that we consider them recensions of Ma'mar's books. Sean "Tron Honto" Anthony even ventured a translation of the former into English, to rival Ibn Ishâq.

The late (and MUCH lamented) Harald Motzki argued that 'Abd al-Razzâq had books from Ibn Jurayj as well, but incorporating these into the mainline.

The ahl al-kitâbayn book as the "Hudhâqî" contribution to our Musannaf presents it is broken out into segments, abwâb. The first four each start with Ibn Jurayj: #19209, 19217, 19222, 19228. The fifth is bracketed Ma'mar, #19231 / 19235; Ibn Jurayj is there absent. Sixth is Thawrî #19236; tho' here our man gets the second word, and the last (19243). Seventh Ibn Jurayj starts off again #19244, then eighth 19250-4 resuming 19260-1; and ninth 19264-6.

Now: I am no rival, much less heir, to Herr Professor Motzki and this blog is no place to compile a full database. But I can float a hunch. Ibn Jurayj made a specialty of kitâbî ahadith, to such a degree that *Hudhâfî < 'Abd al-Razzâq could transmit this as a book with commentary from other Razzâqî authorities. 'Abd al-Razzâq did not intend it as part of the Musannaf... but he wanted it taken as seriously as the Musannaf.

'Abd al-Malik Ibn Jurayj (80-150 / 699-767) was, himself, a grandson of a Christian: George or maybe Gregory. His father 'Abd al-'Azîz seems associated with the Umayyads, I'd guess converting in Egypt 70/690ish. 'Abd al-'Azîz would have moved to Mecca in the aftermath of al-Hajjâj's reduction of the place. 'Abd al-Malik was born and he taught there.

Our man is related to have written a Qurân-commentary (published this last month!), and a Manâsik, and a Sunan - this Sunan, Motzki argues, was the core of much of the Razzâqite Musannaf. I am convinced that a Ibn Jurayj text, even if only oral, underpins the Ahl al-Kitâbayn as well.

I do question, however, that Ibn Jurayj intended his kitâbî-law lecture as part of the Sunan. As with his student I think we're looking at a discrete book, hitherto unknown.