About Arab History: Sheikhs of Al Azhar
Sheikhs of al Azhar
شيوخ الازهر
Mashyakhet al Azhar, or the official building of al Azhar stands in a wide space on the Salah Salem road. It’s an elegant interpretation of Islamic architecture with simple lines of mashrabiya windows and limestone. Al Azhar has long served as a symbol of Islamic teachings, not only because it’s a university, older than Cambridge or Oxford, but because through the years it has evolved as the source of Islamic jurisdiction and laws.
It is in this head quarter of al Azhar that many official religious activities take place. For example, many people who get married today go to there for the religious ceremony and registration of their marriage, although this could be done in other designated mosques. It is also the place where those who convert to Islam go to ‘announce’ their conversion. Most importantly it is the source of many Islamic fatwas or Islamic ruling on a specific issue.
Since its establishment, in the 10th century AD, it has produced great sheikhs and ‘ulamas (a person who is well versed in the quran and Islamic teachings and laws) who have left their mark on modern Islamic history. The head of Al Azhar is called the Grand Imam, Imamul Akbar Sheikh al Azhar, and is appointed by the president on the advice of top Azharian scholars.
Among the most distinguished ‘Ulama who studied at al Azhar are Imam Suyuti and among the contemporary ‘ulama are Shaykh El Ghazali and Shaykh el Sha’rawy. Among the most distinguished sheikhs who have headed the institution are Imam Abd al Halim Mahmoud (1973-78) who was so popular and respected that the attendance to his funeral was unprecedented. He is most noted work has been on the history of sufism and his ability to combine the exoteric and esoteric dimensions of Islam in a harmonious manner- something many strive to do until today. During his long career as an Islamic scholar, he studied in the Sorbonne, France, where he confronted many orientalists. In 1961 he played a big role in re-shaping al Azhar law that previously ripped the grand Imam position of much of its authority and undermined al Azhar’s independence.
Today, al Azhar and some of the fatwas which have been given by some Azharites, remain a subject of controversy in the media. However, because of its great history and brilliant scholars it stands not only as a university but an institution that vanguards the teachings of Sunni Islam.
Posted in History of the Arab People
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