Ibrahim al-Bajuri


Ibrāhīm ibn Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-Šāfiʿī al-Bājūrī was an Egyptian-Ottoman scholar, theologian and a rector of the al-Azhar University. A follower of Imam Al-Shafiʽi, he authored over 20 works and commentaries in sacred law, tenets of faith, Islamic estate division, scholastic theology, logic and Arabic.

Early life

Al-Bajuri was born in the village of El Bagour, Monufia Governorate of Egypt. He was raised and educated initially by his father, studying the Qur'an and its recitation. At the age of 14 al-Bajuri entered al-Azhar in order to study the traditional sciences of Islam. In 1798, al-Bajuri left al-Azhar due to the invasion of the French, and went to Giza where he remained until 1801; he then returned to al-Azhar to complete his education. Here, he excelled in his studies and began to teach and write on a variety of topics.

Rector of al-Azhar University

Al-Bajuri taught at al-Azhar University, and in 1847 became its rector, a position he held until the end of his life. During his tenure as Shaykh al-Azhar he spent much of his time teaching. His students included both young students aspiring to scholarship and also many of the great scholars of al-Azhar.

Works

The most popular works in al-Bajuri's extensive literary production are:Risāla fī ʿilm al-Tawḥīdal-Mawahib al-Laduniyya, a commentary on the Kitab al-Shama'il of al-Tirmidhi

Death

Al-Bajuri died in 1276/1860.