Muhammad Tahir al-Karakhi

Muhammad Tahir al-Karakhi was a Dagestani theologian and jurist, a chronicler of the Caucasian War and the chief scribe of Imam Shamil. He was born in 1809 in the Avar village of Tsulda, of the Karakh community (now Charodinsky District of Dagestan). At birth he was named Muhammatilav; the name by which he is now known was given to him by Imam Shamil.  Muhammad-Tahir received an excellent education, studying under many prominent Dagestani theologians, in particular Kurban-Muhammad of Korod, Mustafa of Angida, Khajidibir of Gunukh, and Muhammadamin of Gidatli. 

After completing his studies he was appointed qadi in the aul of Tlyarosh. From 1847 he worked as the secretary of Imam Shamil. For some time he served as the mufti of the Imamate. In addition to his native language, he was fluent in Arabic, Chechen, Kumyk, Lezgin and Dargin. After the end of the war Muhammad moved to Temir-Khan-Shura (now Buynaksk) and worked there as a qadi. Later he became the senior qadi in the Dagestan People's Court. It was during this period of his life that he wrote the majority of his works.  

Muhammad Tahir al-Karakhi died in 1880 and was buried in his native village Tsulda in the Charodinsky District. His grave is a place of pilgrimage for Muslims (ziyarat).