Haji Khalifa in his famed biographical work ‘Kashf al Zanun’ records about this great Maliki scholar:
Mawla, Allamah, the seal of the Muhadtheen, Muhammad bin Abdul Baqi bin Yusuf al-Zarqani al-Masri al-Maliki, died in the year 1122, he wrote a rich commentary (Sharh) in four volumes, wherein he collated the vast bulk of hadith narrated about the character and biography of the Prophet [s], may Allah have mercy upon Zarqani and reward him. Sheikh Abi al-Dhya Ali bin Ali bin al-Shebr Amsli who died in year 1087 wrote a margin commentary on “al-Mawahib” in five huge volumes, al-Amini noted this fact that in “Khulasat al-Siar”. “Al-Muwahib al-Laduniya ala al-Qawaid al-Shari’a le Saliki al-Tariqa al-Muhamadiya” is a commentary on the fundamentals of Shari’a, as already mentioned above.
The book can be downloaded from the following online Salafi library
Mu’jam al-Mu’lafeen, Volume 12 (MS Word, Doc page No. 198) – Cached
Allamah Ismaeel Basha Baghdadi (d. 1339) records about the great Maliki scholar:
Al-Zarqani Muhammad bin Abdulbaqi bin Yusuf bin Ahmad bin Alwan al-Azhary Abu Abdullah al-Masri al-Maliki, popularly known as al-Zarqani, died in year 1122.
From his authorship, answers of questions sent to him in a laymans manner, “Sharh Mawtta Malik” in hadith (field), “Sharh al-Mawahib al-Ludaniya” of al-Qastalani in eleven volumes published in Egypt, “Mukhtasar al-Maqased al-Hasana” of al-Sakhawi etc.
Hidayat al Aarfeen, Volume 2 page 311 – Cached
Khair al-Deen Zarkali (d. 1414) records in his authoritative biographical work ‘Al-Alaam’:
(al-Zarqani) * (1055 – 1122 H = 1645 – 1710 AD) Muhammad bin Abdul Baqi bin Yusuf bin Ahmad bin Alwan al-Zarqani al-Masri al-Azhari al-Maliki, Abu Abdullah: the seal of the Muhadatheen, in the land of Egypt. He was born and died in Cairo, his origins lay with “Zarqan” (a village in Munoof in Egypt). From his pen came “Talkhis al-Maqasid al-Hasana” in the field of hadith, “Sharh al-Bayqonya” in the field of ‘Mustalah’, “Sharh al-Mawahed al-Laduniya”, “Sharh Muwatta Malik” and “Wosol al-Amani” in the field of hadith.
Al Alaam, Volume 6 (MS Word, Doc page No. 265 – Cached
Umar Raza Kahalah records:
Muhammad al-Zarqani (1055 – 1122 H) (1645 – 1710 AD) Muhammad bin Abdulbaqi bin Yusuf bin Ahmad bin Alwan al-Zarqani al-Maliki (Abu Abdullah), Muhadith, jurist, Usooli. He was born and died in Cairo. From his authorship: “Sharh al-Mandoma al-Bayqonya” about hadith definitions, “Mukhtasar al-Maqased al-Hasana fi al-ahadith al-Mushtahira ala al-Alsena”, “Ishraq Mesabih al-Siar al-Muhammadiya be mazj al-Mawahib al-Laduniya”, Abhaj al-Masalik be Sharh Muwatta al-Imam Malik” and answers of question sent to him.
Mu’jam al Maulafaeen, Volume 10 (MS Word, Doc page No. 82) – Cached
Allamah Abdul Hai bin Abdul Kabeer al-Takani in his famous work ‘Fehris al-Faharas’ which is the continuation of the book ‘Tabaqat al-Muhadtheen wa al-Hufaz’ has collected information about various Sunni scholars of Hadith. He records about Allamah Zarqani:
Al-Zarqani the Muhadith of Egyptian land, the masterly scholar, extremely well known, Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Abdulbaqi bin Yusuf bin Ahmad bin A’lwan al-Zarqani al-Maliki al-Masry, died in Egypt in year 1122, his student al-Shabrawi described his accuracy (in hadith) as the seal of the Hufaz, the giant in strange traditions, the seal of Muhadtheen.
Fehris al-Faharas, Volume 1 page 457, No. 239 – Cached
Yusuf Alyan Sarkis records:
“Abdulbaqi (1020 1099 H) Abdulbaqi bin Yusuf bin Ahmad Shehab al-Deen bin Muhammad ibn A’lwan al-Zarqani al-Maliki, he was a discerning scholar, jurist, knowledgeable, possessed good speaking manners”
Mujam al-Matbuaat al-Arabiya, Volume 1 page (MS Word Doc page No. 627) – Cached