The Biographical (Rijali) Characteristics of the Book Ikhtiyar Ma rifat al-Rijal

‘Ilm al-Rijal (scrutiny of transmitters) is one of the pivotal sciences in enjoying the traditions of the Infallible Imams (A.S.). Ikhtiyar Ma‘rifat al-Rijal is one of the most important Shi‘a rijali books among the four principles of this science, which is written by a learned and insightful scholar of ḥadith and rijal with the style of the earlier scholars. Technical distinctions of this book, such as accurate application of expressions, extensive introduction of Shi‘a sects, the status of the Infallible Imams in ‘Ilm al-Rijal, the very important and accurate rijali (biographical) discourses like Aṣḥab-i Ijma‘ (companions of consensus), etc. indicates that despite some criticisms, this book has a significant status in rijali discourses.