al-Nafrawi

Ahmad ibn Ghunaym al-Nafrawi (1044–1126 AH / 1634–1714 CE; also reported as 1043–1125 AH / 1633–1713 CE) was an Egyptian Maliki jurist and scholar at al-Azhar, celebrated for his comprehensive legal commentary al-Fawakih al-Dawani al-Alam lil-Zirikli+1.

Early Life and Education

Ahmad ibn Ghunaym (also vocalized as Ghanim) ibn Salim ibn Muhanna, known by the honorific Shihab al-Din and the kunya Abu al-Abbas, was born in the village of Nafra (or Nafri) in the Quesna district of Egypt, where he was raised and received his early upbringing al-Alam lil-Zirikli+1. He subsequently moved to Cairo to pursue higher Islamic studies at al-Azhar al-Alam lil-Zirikli+1.

Al-Nafrawi began his legal training in Maliki jurisprudence under Shihab al-Din al-Laqqani al-Mawsua al-Fiqhiyya al-…+1. He later closely attached himself to Abd al-Baqi al-Zurqani and Muhammad al-Khurashi, studying fiqh under both scholars and receiving hadith transmissions from them al-Mawsua al-Fiqhiyya al-…+1. He also studied hadith under Yahya al-Shawi, and studied with Abd al-Salam al-Laqqani and Abd al-Mu'ti al-Basir al-Mawsua al-Fiqhiyya al-…+1. In the Arabic language and the rational disciplines (al-ma'qulat), his primary instructors were Mansur al-Tukhi and Shihab al-Din al-Bishbishi Tarikh Ajaib al-Athar fi ….

Scholarly Career and Standing

After completing his studies, al-Nafrawi established himself as a prominent teacher and legal authority in Cairo, eventually attaining preeminent leadership (al-riyasah) in the Maliki school within Egypt Mujam al-Mufassirin "min …+1. In addition to jurisprudence, he was recognized for his proficiency in Quranic exegesis (tafsir) and his mastery of Arabic grammar and the rational sciences Mujam al-Mufassirin "min …+1.

A diverse circle of notable students studied under him, including Abu al-Abbas Ahmad ibn Mustafa al-Sabbagh, the Tunisian scholar Ali ibn Khalifah al-Masakini, and Ali ibn Juwaydah al-Fayyumi Shajarat al-Nur al-Zakiyy…+2. His scholarly output was highlighted by al-Fawakih al-Dawani, an expansive commentary on the classical legal treatise al-Risalah by Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawani, as well as an explanation of Arabic grammar in his commentary on al-Ajrumiyyah and a commentary on al-Risalah al-Nuriyyah by Nuri al-Sifaqisi al-Alam lil-Zirikli+1.

Death

Al-Nafrawi died in Cairo in 1125 AH (1713 CE) at the age of eighty-two Shajarat al-Nur al-Zakiyy…+1. Other sources record his death in 1126 AH (1714 CE), while a date of 1120 AH is also mentioned in biographical literature and regarded by bibliographers as an erratum al-Alam lil-Zirikli.