The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (157 page)

 
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(995–1067 (AH 385–460)).
Leading
Shi‘ite
scholar. Born in
s (hence the name), he played an important part in stabilizing the religion in practice after the occultation (see
hidden Im
m
) of the twelfth
Im
m
. He collected Shi‘ite traditions in
al-Istib
r
(The Examination) and in
Ta
dh
b al-A
k
m
(The Correcting of Judgements), which form part of the ‘Four Books’ of authoritative traditions. Even more influential was his
Kit
b al-Nih
ya
(The Book of Method), which lays out the basis of Shi‘ite legal procedure, and which became the foundation of a legal school which endured for centuries after his death. After riots, during which his library was burnt, he moved to al-Najaf where he died.