Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Yazid bin Abdullah al-Rab'i al-Qazwini, known as Ibn Majah

He was of non-Arab (Ajami) origin. “Rab’i” is a nisbah (affiliation) to Rabi‘ah and is considered a nisbat al-wala’ (attribution through allegiance). Due to his affiliation with the region of Qazvin (in Iran), he is also known as “al-Qazwini.”

He is widely known by the name “Ibn Majah.” Regarding this, Allama al-Zabidi (رحمه الله) in his work *Taj al-‘Arus* mentioned various opinions. One view is that “Majah” was the name of his mother. Imam al-Nawawi (رحمه الله) also gave preference to this opinion, and Shah Abdul Aziz Dehlavi (رحمه الله) narrated the same in *Bustān al-Muhaddithīn*: “Wa sahih an ast ke Majah (with a softened jim) madar-e-u bud” — meaning, the correct view is that Majah was his mother. This is why the title “Ibn Majah” is distinguished with an “alif.” However, it should be noted that “Ibn Majah” refers to Muhammad, not to Abdullah. According to some scholars, “Majah” was the title of his honorable father. Hafiz Ibn Hajar (رحمه الله) also preferred this view. And Allah knows best (وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ).