Passing of Imam al-Bukhari: A Legacy on 30 Ramadan
Remembering Imam al-Bukhari, the master of hadith and compiler of Sahih al-Bukhari, who passed away on 30 Ramadan 256 AH at the age of 62.
Portal Islam 
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Historical Events in the Month of Ramadan
On 30 Ramadan 256 AH, the Muslim ummah lost one of its greatest scholars and a foundational pillar of hadith science, Imam al-Bukhari. His full name was Muhammad bin Isma’il bin Ibrahim bin al-Mughirah. He passed away in the village of Khartank, near the city of Bukhara in modern-day Uzbekistan, at the age of 62.
See also: The Events of 29 Ramadan: The Founding of Al-Qayrawan
Contributions and Scholarly Legacy
Imam al-Bukhari is widely renowned as the compiler of Sahih al-Bukhari, recognized as the most authentic book of hadith after the Qur'an. In addition to this masterpiece, he also authored other monumental works such as Al-Tarikh al-Kabir and Al-Adab al-Mufrad.
Ibn Khuzaymah once remarked:
“I have never seen anyone upon the face of the earth with more knowledge of hadith than Muhammad bin Isma’il al-Bukhari.”
Ibn Khuzaymah
Imam al-Bukhari himself stated:
“I was inspired to easily memorize hadiths while I was still attending a children's kuttab at the age of 10.”
Imam al-Bukhari
Regarding his monumental compilation, he shared:
“I compiled my book over a period of 16 years, selecting its contents from 600,000 hadiths, and I made it a proof that will defend me before Allah, the Exalted, on the Day of Judgment.”
Imam al-Bukhari
Conclusion
The passing of Imam al-Bukhari on 30 Ramadan 256 AH marked a profound moment of sorrow in Islamic scholarly history. Yet, his invaluable legacy in the field of hadith continues to illuminate the Muslim world to this day.
