al-Gadairi

Al-Gadairi Ahmad ibn al-Husayn ibn Ubaydallah ash-Shii (died in mid-11th century) - supreme judge (kadi al-kudat) of Bab al-abvab (Derbent). His father, Abu Abdallah al-Gadairi (died in 1020), was the author of numerous compositions and spiritual teacher of such renowned representatives of Shiite Islam as Abul Abbas an-Nadjashi (died in 1058) and Abu Djafar at-Tusi (died in 1067). Al-Gadairi's appointment to the important position of kadi al-kudat was facilitated by the Buids who supported the activities of Imamit Shiites to fulfill their political aspirations. Al-Gadairi's brothers also received positions in different parts of the Caliphate: Ali ibn al-Khusayn moved to Nishapur soon after his father's death, thus all his offspring had a nisba of al-Naysaburi; Abdallah ibn al-Khusayn went missing in Shirvan.

Al-Gadairi studied at his father's madrasah, together with an-Nadjashi. He was the spiritual leader of Shiite community of Derbent for a long time. Since he was kadi al-kudat, all the judges in Derbent emirate reported to him. Muhammad ad-Darbandi's Raykhan al-khakaik contains information that al-Gadairi patronized many scientists and administered the majlis of Abu Muammar Amr ibn ak-Hasan al-Babi, a.k.a. Ibn al-Maslama (died in late 11th century).

Among al-Gadairi's students and followers, his sons take a special place. One of them was Abu Iskhak Ibrahim (died in early 12th century). According to Muhammad ad-Darbandi who was his student in Derbent, the main authority for Abu Iskhak, after his father and grandfather, was literary man (adib) Abu Abdallah Muhammad ibn Takhir at-Tusi (died in 1120), who, in his turn, was a student of a famous Sufi Abu Abd ar-Rakhman as-Sulami (died 1021) in Baghdad. Al-Gadairi's second son, Abu Zakariya Yakhya (died after 1098), also was Muhammad ad-Darbandi's tutor. Both al-Gadairi's sons studied law with the local shafiit Abu Abdallah al-Husayn al-Lakzi and lived in Derbent until their dying days, taking positions of neighborhood judges. Al-Gadairi's third son, Abu Sulayman Daud al-Fakikh, settled in Mecca, but earlier studied with Abu Abdallah al-Lakzi in Derbent, like his brothers.

Al-Gadairi died and was buried in Derbent, which is confirmed by epigraphic materials. His grave stele with an epitaph dedicated to him has withstood the ravages of time and is now located in Makhatchkala.