Ibrahim al-Qattan
- Died
- 1404 AH
- Born in
- Amman
Ibrahim al-Qattan (1335–1404 AH / 1916–1984 CE) was a Jordanian educator, Sharia judge, linguist, and diplomat who served as Minister of Education and Chief Islamic Justice of Jordan.
Early Life and Education
Born in Amman, al-Qattan completed his elementary education there before enrolling at al-Azhar in 1935. He graduated from its department of Sharia judiciary, obtaining the ‘alimiyya degree with a specialization in judicial practice.
Public and Diplomatic Career
Al-Qattan began his career working in the Sharia judiciary between 1942 and 1947, after which he transferred to the Ministry of Education as an inspector of the Arabic language and religious studies until 1961. In 1962, he entered the cabinet, serving simultaneously as Chief Islamic Justice and Minister of Education until mid-1963.
In 1965, he was appointed tutor to Crown Prince Hassan during his studies in London, accompanying him until 1967. He then transitioned to the diplomatic service, serving as Jordan's ambassador to Morocco from 1967 to 1973, followed by postings as ambassador to Kuwait and subsequently to Pakistan. He later returned to the office of Chief Islamic Justice in Jordan, a position he retained until his death.
Institutional Activity and Death
During his tenure at the Ministry of Education, al-Qattan co-authored more than thirty school textbooks in religious studies and Arabic. He served as a member of the Jordanian Committee for Arabization, Translation, and Publishing until the establishment of the Jordan Academy of Arabic, where he became an active member starting in 1977.
His first major scholarly study was ‘Atharat al-Munjid (Lapses of al-Munjid), published in 1392 AH. He also authored the Quranic commentary Taysir al-Tafsir (Facilitating Exegesis), of which two volumes were published during his lifetime after being reviewed and edited by ‘Imran Ahmad Abu Hijlah.
Al-Qattan died on Thursday, 20 September 1984 (1404 AH).
Answer updated
List of Works
Taysir al-Tafsir (Facilitating Exegesis) is a contemporary Quranic commentary that provides direct, simplified explanations of Quranic terms and passages.