Ibn al-Shawkani
- Died
- 1281 AH
- Born in
- -
Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Shawkani (1229–1281 AH / 1814–1864 CE) was a Yemeni jurist and judge from Sanaa, recognized as the son and student of the prominent scholar Muhammad ibn Ali al-Shawkani .
Lineage and Early Life
His full lineage is Abu al-Abbas Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Abd Allah al-Shawkani al-San'ani . Born in 1229 AH, he grew up under the direct tutelage of his father, reading concise foundational treatises (mukhtasarat) and drawing extensively upon his father's scholarship and compositions until he became an accomplished jurist .
Judicial Career and Trials
He was appointed to the judiciary in Sanaa and served as a judge for a time . His career was disrupted by political turmoil under successive rulers; during the reign of Imam al-Nasir (Abdullah ibn al-Hasan), he was imprisoned, and under Imam Ahmad ibn Hashim, he was forced to flee Sanaa . After traveling between various outlying regions, he eventually settled in al-Rawda . There, he took it upon himself to adjudicate disputes and implement legal rulings despite lacking an official gubernatorial appointment, prompting contemporary Yemeni scholars to refer to him as "the Judge of the Most Merciful" (Qadi Arham al-Rahimin) .
Transmission and Scholarship
He served as an important link for transmitting his father's works and chains of narration (asanid), passing them on to scholars such as Husayn ibn Muhsin al-Ansari and Ahmad ibn Ali al-Sharafi . He also composed poetry and authored treatises, including Kashf al-raybah fi al-zajr 'an al-ghibah ("Unveiling Doubt in Deterrence Against Backbiting") and al-Sumut al-dhahabiyyah ("The Golden Strings") .
Death
He died in al-Rawda on 13 Jumada al-Akhirah 1281 AH .
Answer updated
List of Works
Fi al-Suluk al-Islami al-Qawim is a treatise on Islamic ethics, spiritual refinement, and interpersonal conduct. It addresses moral virtues, heart purification, and the avoidance of common spiritual and verbal transgressions.