al-Subki, Baha al-Din

Baha al-Din al-Subki (719–773 AH / 1319–1371 CE) was an Egyptian Shafi'i jurist, legal theorist, and rhetorician based in Cairo al-Manhal al-Safi wa al-M…+1. He is best known for his comprehensive rhetorical commentary, Arus al-afrah fi sharh Talkhis al-miftah ("The Bride of Joy in Commenting on the Abridgment of the Key") Hadiyat al-Arifin Asma al…+1.

Lineage and early life

He was Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Abd al-Kafi ibn Ali ibn Tammam al-Subki, bearing the kunya Abu Hamid and the honorific title Baha al-Din Raf al-Hajib an Mukhtasar…+1. His family claimed descent from the Khazraj tribe of the Ansar al-Wafi bil-Wafayat+1. He was born in Cairo on the night of Wednesday, 20 Jumada al-Akhira 719 AH, though a note in his father's handwriting records his birth immediately following sunset at the close of the nineteenth day al-Wafi bil-Wafayat+1. His father initially named him Tammam, but changed his name to Ahmad once he surpassed early childhood al-Durar al-Kamina fi Aya….

Education and teachers

Al-Subki began his training at an early age under his father, the chief judge Taqi al-Din al-Subki Raf al-Hajib an Mukhtasar…+1. At five years old, he attended the hadith sessions of the Syrian traditionist Ahmad ibn Abi Talib al-Hajjar, hearing the entirety of Sahih al-Bukhari al-Wafi bil-Wafayat+1. He memorized the Quran and led the night prayers in 728 AH al-Wafi bil-Wafayat+1. He studied Arabic grammar under Abu Hayyan al-Gharnati, legal theory under Shams al-Din al-Isfahani, and Quranic readings under Taqi al-Din Ibn al-Sa'igh Raf al-Hajib an Mukhtasar…+1. He also heard hadith from Badr al-Din Ibn Jama'a, al-Mizzi, and al-Dhahabi al-Manhal al-Safi wa al-M…+1. At the age of twenty, he was granted formal authorization to teach and issue legal opinions al-Manhal al-Safi wa al-M…+1.

Public career and teaching

When his father was appointed chief judge of Damascus in 739 AH, al-Subki assumed his father's teaching responsibilities in Cairo at the Mansuriyya, Sayfiyya, and Hakkariyya madrasas, as well as the hadith lectureship at the Mosque of Ibn Tulun al-Manhal al-Safi wa al-M…+1. He subsequently taught at the shrine of al-Shafi'i, the Khashshabiyya, the Mosque of al-Hakim, and became the first professor at the newly founded Shaykhuniyya madrasa Tabaqat al-Shafiiyya li-I…+1. He later served as the official mufti of Dar al-Adl and as the military judge (qadi al-askar) Tabaqat al-Shafiiyya li-I…+1.

In Sha'ban 763 AH, al-Subki was appointed chief judge of Damascus reluctantly, stepping in to preserve the post on behalf of his younger brother Taj al-Din al-Subki; while there, he taught at the Adiliyya, Ghazaliyya, and Nasiriyya madrasas before returning to Cairo in Safar 764 AH to resume his original offices Tabaqat al-Shafiiyya li-I…+1. In Cairo, he also held the sermon (khitaba) and later the professorship of Quranic exegesis at the Mosque of Ibn Tulun following the death of Jamal al-Din al-Isnawi Bughyat al-Wuat fi Tabaqa….

Scholarly standing and students

Al-Subki was recognized for his expertise in Arabic linguistics, rhetoric, and legal theory, composing a massive commentary on Ibn al-Hajib's abridgment of legal methodology Raf al-Hajib an Mukhtasar…+1. Al-Dhahabi praised him in al-Mu'jam al-mukhtass, describing him as an erudite scholar of sound learning, piety, and refined conduct who attained leadership at the age of twenty Tabaqat al-Shafiiyya li-I…+1. His father held his lectures in high esteem, famously composing lines of poetry declaring that Ahmad's lessons surpassed his own al-Manhal al-Safi wa al-M…+1.

Among those who transmitted knowledge from him or studied under his guidance were his nephew Izz al-Din Ibn Jama'a and Abd al-Kafi al-Suwayfi al-Ghurar wa al-Durar fi …+1.

Death

Al-Subki performed the pilgrimage multiple times and frequently resided in the holy sanctuary Tabaqat al-Shafiiyya li-I…. He died in Mecca as a resident (mujawir) in Rajab 773 AH (1371/1372 CE) Mujam al-Muallifin+1. Another report places his death in 772 AH Hadiyat al-Arifin Asma al….