Islamic Scholars

Ahl al-Hall wa’l-Aqd
The body of individuals qualified to elect or depose a caliph on behalf of the Muslim community
Ayatollah
Honorific title in Twelver Shii Islam signifying 'Sign of God' and held by outstanding legal scholars qualified as mujtahids and marjas.
Farangi Mahall
A renowned family of religious scholars in Lucknow, known for their contributions to Islamic education, law, logic, philosophy, and mysticism.
Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir ibn Muhammad al-Taqi al-
Leading Iranian Shii scholar of the late Safavid period known for opposing Sufism and popularizing Shii thought in Persian.
Muhammad Abduh
Muhammad Abduh (d. 1905), Egyptian scholar, journalist, theologian, jurist, grand mufti, and reformer, regarded as an architect of Islamic modernism.
Mujtahid
Definition and comprehensive understanding of a Mujtahid in Islamic philosophy and law.
Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj
Scholar and author of one of the six canonical hadith collections in Islam.
Nafisa, al-Sayyida
A revered scholar and saint known for her piety, teaching, and miraculous powers, with a significant shrine in Cairo.
Raniri, Nuruddin al-
Seventeenth-century Indian scholar and author influential in the Islamic intellectual tradition in Southeast Asia
Sayyid Sulayman Nadwi
A leading religious scholar of twentieth-century South Asia, known for his contributions to Islamic studies, history, and historiography.
Shatibi, Abu Ishaq Ibrahim al-
A prominent Andalusian Maliki scholar and reformer known for his contributions to Islamic jurisprudence and criticism of his contemporaries.
Thanawi, Ihtishan ul-Haq
Prominent Islamic scholar, nephew and student of Ashraf Ali Thanawi, active in Pakistan's movement and post-independence Islamic politics
Zabidi, Muhammad Murtada al-
Yemeni grammarian, scholar of Hanafi law, noted for his refutation of materialists, skeptics, and rationalist theologians
Zuhri, Muhammad ibn Muslim ibn Shihab
Zuhri, Muhammad ibn Muslim ibn Shihab (d. 742) was a preeminent Arab historian and hadith scholar in Medina, notable for transmitting material about the Prophet Muhammad and his Companions, frequently appearing in the isnads of various classical Islamic works.
Abū Dāʾūd (ابو داود): Compiler of the Sunan Abī Dāʾūd
Discover the life and contributions of Abū Dāʾūd, the notable Islamic scholar who compiled the Sunan Abī Dāʾūd, one of the six authentic books of Sunni traditions.
Madjid, Nurcholish
Nurcholish Madjid (1939-2005) was an Indonesian Islamic scholar and advocate of religious tolerance and pluralism, who reinterpreted Islam to suit the spiritual needs of modern urban populations in Indonesia.
Sirhindi, Ahmad
An influential Indian Sufi whose ideas shaped the Mujaddidi phase of the Naqshbandi order, promoting orthodoxy and integration of Sufi ideas within Sunni Islam.
Ashraf Ali Thanawi
Indian Islamic scholar and author known for his influential work and role in advocating Islamic values among less-educated Muslims.
ʿĀLIM (عالم‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Role in Islamic Society
Explore the meaning of ʿĀLIM (عالم‎) in Islam, its linguistic roots, various applications, and its role in the religious and socio-political aspects of Muslim societies.
MULLĀ (ملا‎)
Explore the term 'MULLĀ (ملا‎),' its origins, implications, and how it is used to refer to a learned scholar in Islamic society.
Al-Wāqidī (الواقدى‎) - Life, Contributions, and Legacy of a Celebrated Muslim Historian
Explore the life, works, and impact of Al-Wāqidī, a preeminent Muslim historian known for his substantial contributions to Islamic historiography. Learn about his legacy, major works, and influence on later scholarship.
ʿULAMĀʾ (علماء‎)
Explore the term 'ʿULAMĀʾ,' its etymology, implications, and role within Islamic governance and society. Understand how these scholars influence both public and private aspects of Muslim life through their religious and legal expertise.
Al-Bukhārī (البخارى‎)
Explore the life and contributions of Al-Bukhārī, the esteemed Islamic scholar whose compilation of hadiths, the Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, holds immense significance in the Sunni tradition.
ABŪ-ʾL-HUẔAIL ZUFAR IBN AL-HUẔAIL - Definition, Etymology, and Contributions
Learn about ABŪ-ʾL-HUẔAIL ZUFAR IBN AL-HUẔAIL, his role as an Islamic scholar, his association with Imām Abū Ḥanīfah, and his contributions to Islamic thought. Understand the historical context and significance of his work.
Hairi Yazdi, Abd al-Karim
Prominent Shii cleric responsible for the importance of Qom as a center of Shii learning and founder of the Hawzah-yi Ilmiyah Seminary.
NĀFIʿ (نافع‎) - His Legacy in Islamic Tradition
Explore the life and contributions of NĀFIʿ (نافع‎), a significant transmitter of Hadiths and a respected authority in Islamic history.

Dictionary of Islam

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