Ibn Babawayh

Shia scholars consider his birth to be after the year 305 A.H. (probably 306 A.H.) He was born and raised in Qom, a town about 125 kilometres (78 mi) south west of Tehran in modern-day Iran.

[6]: z-t  Qom was a center of study of Shia traditions and it was this form of religious learning to which Ibn Babawayh adhered.

The attack appears to have been aimed at traditionalists in general as several Sunni traditionists suffered similar restrictions.

For Him Who is Not in the Presence of a Jurisprudent or When No Theologian is Present) a component of the group of four major books about the traditions of Shi'ite Islam.

Despite the fact that many of Ibn Babawayh's other works are extremely important, this book is probably the most famous of his extant writings.

[9] However, some authorities maintain that there were five major books of traditions that included another of Ibn Babawayh's works, Madinat al-'ilm.

[6]: Ar  Al-Tusi mentions that the latter work was bigger than Man la yahduruhu al-faqih[8] but may no longer exist.

Madinat al-'ilm was likely concerned with al-din (the principles of religion) rather than furu', the practical regulations for carrying out the shari'a (Islamic law).

[5]: 6  In his introduction to the book, Ibn Babawayh explains the circumstances of its composition and the reason for its title.

Ibn Babawayh was delighted with Sharif al-Din Abu 'Abd Allah's discourses with him and his gentleness, kindness, dignity and interest in religion.

Sharif al-Din Abu 'Abd Allah, then asked Ibn Babawayh to compile a similar work of reference on Fiqh (jurisprudence), al-halal wa al-haram (the permitted and prohibited), and al-shara-i' wa-'l-ahkam (revealed law and ordinary laws).

[10] Man la yahduruh al-faqih represents a synopsis of all the traditions that Ibn Babawayh had collected, while his prior works, for example, Kitab al-nikah (the book of marriage) and Kitab al-hajj (the book of pilgrimage) are each a treatise on different aspect of furu'.