Muḥammad b. Yaʿqūb al-Kulaynī (d. 329/941) is considered one of the most influential scholars in Twelver Shīʿīsm, with his magnum opus, al-Kāfī, considered to be the premiere work of ḥadīth and one of the main sources for theological doctrine (ʿaqīda) and practical jurisprudence (fiqh) among Twelver Shīʿīs. Despite the recognition that al-Kulaynī’s work has achieved in Shīʿī discourse, unfortunately, not much is known about his life, motivations, and approach, especially in the English-speaking Shīʿī world. This paper seeks to correct this by introducing the individual and his methodology. The paper combines a close reading of the available historical details of his life, together with an analysis of the relevant sections from the author’s muqaddima (preface), wherein one would expect to find answers to such questions.

KEYWORDS: Al-Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, ḥadīth, ʿilm al-rijāl, maqbūla of ʿUmar b. Ḥanẓala, takhyīr.