al-Shaarawi

Muhammad Metwalli al-Shaarawi (1329–1418 AH / 1911–1998 CE; another report places his death in 1419 AH) was an Egyptian Islamic scholar, exegete, and preacher known for his accessible broadcast lectures on Quranic interpretation and his widely circulated Tafsir al-Shaarawi al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassiru…+1.

Early Life and Education

Muhammad ibn Metwalli al-Shaarawi was born on 15 April 1911 (reported also as 6 April 1911) in the village of Daqadus, located in the Mit Ghamr district of Daqahliyya Governorate, Egypt, into a farming family al-Mujam al-Jami fi Taraj…+1. He memorized the Quran in his youth—recorded variously as age ten, eleven, or before turning fifteen al-Mujam al-Jami fi Taraj…+1. He pursued religious studies at the Azhari primary and secondary institutes in Zagazig, where he developed an interest in literature and poetry, being elected head of the student union and head of the local writers' association al-Mujam al-Jami fi Taraj…+1.

During his student years, he took an active part in national and Azhari student demonstrations against the British occupation al-Mujam al-Jami fi Taraj…+1. In 1934, he was arrested and spent a month in prison following verses and speeches delivered against the monarchy during the Azhar student protests al-Mujam al-Jami fi Taraj…. He subsequently entered the Faculty of Arabic Language at al-Azhar, graduating around 1940–1941, and obtained the higher 'Alamiyya degree with a teaching license in 1943 al-Mujam al-Jami fi Taraj…+1.

Teaching and Public Career

Al-Shaarawi began his professional career teaching at Azharite institutes in Tanta, Alexandria, and Zagazig al-Mujam al-Jami fi Taraj…+1. In 1950, he was seconded to Saudi Arabia, where he taught at the Anjal Institute in Riyadh and later taught creed ('aqida) at the Faculty of Sharia at Umm al-Qura University in Mecca, as well as serving as a visiting professor and head of graduate studies at King Abdulaziz University al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassiru…+1.

Upon returning to Egypt, he assumed multiple administrative and religious offices, including director of Islamic preaching (da'wa) at the Ministry of Awqaf in 1961, inspector of Arabic sciences, and head of the office of the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Hasan Ma'mun al-Mujam al-Jami fi Taraj…+1. He also led the Azharite mission to Algeria in 1966 for one year, while another report states he resided and worked there for seven years al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassiru…+1. He later served as director of Awqaf in Gharbia Governorate, undersecretary for Azhar affairs, and general director in the office of the Minister of State for Azhar Affairs until his retirement in April 1976 al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassiru…+1.

In November 1976, Prime Minister Mamdouh Salem appointed him Minister of Awqaf and Azhar Affairs, a post he held through successive cabinet reshuffles until October 1978 al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassiru…+1. He was appointed to the Islamic Research Academy in 1980, the Egyptian Shura Council in 1980, and the Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo in 1987 al-Mujam al-Jami fi Taraj…+1.

Preaching and Scholarly Standing

Al-Shaarawi attained broad public renown through mass media, beginning with his appearances on the television program Nur 'ala Nur hosted by Ahmad Farraj Maqalat al-Tanahi Safahat…. His weekly televised exegesis, styled as Khawatir Imaniyya ("Faith Reflections"), drew widespread audiences across the Arab and Islamic world for its colloquial clarity, linguistic reflections, and practical applications Maqalat al-Tanahi Safahat…+1. He also travelled widely on preaching tours across Europe, North America, Japan, and various Muslim countries al-Mujam al-Jami fi Taraj…+1. Among his widely disseminated works are his transcribed exegesis Tafsir al-Shaarawi and his treatise Mu'jizat al-Quran ("The Miracle of the Quran") al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassiru….

Biographers describe his doctrinal leanings as Ash'ari with pronounced Sufi inclinations, and noted that critics occasionally faulted certain interpretations in his exegesis where these tendencies or idiosyncratic linguistic derivations were evident al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassiru…+1. He received multiple national and international honors, including the Egyptian First Class Order of Merit in 1976, the Order of the Republic in 1983 and 1988, honorary doctorates from Mansoura and Menoufia universities, and the Dubai International Holy Quran Award in 1998 al-Mawsua al-Tarikhiyya+1. He was also known for philanthropic projects, including founding an Islamic complex, schools, and medical facilities in his native village al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassiru….

Death

Al-Shaarawi died at his home in al-Haram, Giza, on Wednesday, 23 Safar 1419 AH (corresponding to 17 June 1998 CE; another passage gives 17 April 1998 CE), nearing ninety years of age al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassiru…+1. In accordance with his testament, he was buried in his native village of Daqadus al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassiru….