Imam At-Tirmidhi (210H - 279H) who was born during the caliphate of Abbasid khalifa Al-Ma'mmun Abdullah ibn Harun Ar-Rashid started the fitna that Quran was a creation of Allah and not His speech. 9 Muslim Khalifas ruled during is lifetime with some being pious and noble whereas some committing evil and innovations.
Imam At-Tirmazi traveled a lot in quest for seeking knowledge which had given him the expertise that was needed to become a Faqih and muhadith of his time. Imam At-Tirmizi has related from likes of Imam Bukhari and Muslim. He was one of the excellent students of Imam Bukhari and has also studied under Imam Muslim. Imam Tirmidhi learned extensively from Imam Malik. He was later known as one of his staff due to his commitment in his learning the knowledge of ahadith.
A lot of scholars of ancient times have highly praised Imam At-Tirmadhi. Al-Jami' At-Tirmidhiii, book written by him is one of the most precious books of Hadith available to date. Al-Hafiz ibn Al-Athir states in Jami al-Usul: "His sahih book is the best of books, the greatest of them in benefit, the best of them in organization, and the least of them in repetition." Also, Imam Tirmidhi gained a high status in other sciences of knowledge which includes Tafsir, Fiqh, and history.
About the Series
This book is in a sequence of biographies of some of the scholars and Muhaddithin of this ummah which Allah has granted glory and honor until the Hour. It focuses on certain aspects of the lives of these scholars which include their attributes, their manners, their religion, and how great is our need in this era to know about these matters. There can be no return to the glory and honor that this ummah possesses except by assuming the noble attributes that the first generation possessed.
The biographies of these scholars are not known to a lot of Muslims. People are tired of hearing empty talk. They want to see religion becoming a practical reality just as it was during the period when these scholars and the people who followed them lived. This religion was well established at their times and it filled their hearts and minds, it was part of their very flesh and blood. If they spoke, it was for Allah's sake that they spoke, and when they remained silent, that also was for Allah's sake.
They illuminated the world with their piety, knowledge, worship, and their righteous deeds. Their character, morals, and manners were similar to those of the Prophet himself. Looking at their dealings you would see a living practical application of dealings of the Prophet himself. The very mention of these scholars softens the heart of the believer, which ultimately leads to sincere worship of Allah.
Other Sources:
Islamic story of the birth of Prophet Jesus (Eesa) and his mother Maryam (Mary)
Islamic story of the building of Kaabah in Makkah Al-Mukarramah