Khalil ibn Shahin
- Died
- 873 AH
- Born in
- Jerusalem
Khalil ibn Shahin al-Zahiri (813–873 AH / 1410–1468 CE) was a Mamluk commander, administrator, and author born in Jerusalem, known for his administrative survey Zubdat Kashf al-Mamalik and his treatise on dream interpretation al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat.
Early Life and Family Background
Ghars al-Din Khalil ibn Shahin al-Shaykhi al-Zahiri—also referred to by the kunya Abu al-Safa—was born in the month of Sha'ban 813 AH (1410 CE) in the Khatuniyya quarter of Jerusalem. His nisba al-Zahiri derived from his father, Shahin, an enfranchised mamluk of Sultan Barquq (al-Zahir). At the age of fifteen, he moved with his father to Cairo, where he memorized the Quran, pursued religious and literary studies, and composed abundant poetry. He was the father of the historian Zayn al-Din 'Abd al-Basit ibn Khalil ibn Shahin.
Administrative and Military Career
Ibn Shahin initially served the commander Uzbak al-Dawadar, and following Uzbak's arrest, he entered the service of Sultan al-Ashraf Barsbay through the intercession of his brother-in-law, Khawaja Ibrahim ibn Qarmash. Barsbay appointed him inspector of Alexandria, then chamberlain (hajib), and supervisor of spice sales for the royal storehouse. In 837 AH, he was appointed governor (na'ib) of Alexandria, where his administration earned widespread praise. His standing at court rose further when he married Asil, the sister of Khwand Julban, making him a brother-in-law of Sultan Barsbay.
Following his tenure in Alexandria, he was summoned to Cairo, granted an amirate of the drums (tablkhana), and placed in charge of the Mint (dar al-darb). He was subsequently appointed vizier in Cairo, but he requested dismissal after a short period. In 840 AH, he served as commander of the Egyptian pilgrimage caravan (amir al-hajj al-Misri).
He then held a succession of provincial governorships: he was appointed governor of al-Karak, and following the death of Barsbay, Sultan Jaqmaq transferred him to become commander-in-chief (atabak) of Safad. He was later made governor of Malatya, serving there for more than four years, during which he visited Cairo twice.
Trial, Syrian Posts, and Death
During his second visit to Cairo from Malatya, Ibn Shahin was transferred to become commander-in-chief of Aleppo. In Aleppo, he faced trial after its governor lodged complaints against him; he was dismissed, arrested, and imprisoned in shackles within the citadel of Aleppo. He was eventually released through the intercession of Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani.
After his release, he lived for a time in Hebron, before being appointed governor of Jerusalem. He later relinquished that post and relocated to Damascus with military commands assigned to him, and he served twice as commander of the Syrian pilgrimage caravan (amir al-hajj al-Dimashqi). He was subsequently assigned a military command in Tripoli.
Ibn Shahin was noted for his scholarly interests and research alongside his military career, and he authored around thirty compositions across administration, law, and oneiromancy, including al-Mawahib fi Ikhtilaf al-Madhahib ("The Gifts on the Divergence of Legal Schools"). He died in Tripoli in 873 AH (1468 CE); another report dates his death to 893 AH.
Answer updated
List of Works
al-Isharat fi Ilm al-Ibarat ("The Indications in the Science of Dream Interpretation") is a comprehensive Arabic manual on Islamic oneiromancy. It compiles the principles and symbols of dream interpretation, treating the field as a legitimate discipline rooted in Islamic law and scripture.