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Muhammad Bahjat al-Athari

Died
1416 AH
Born in
Iraq

Muhammad Bahjat al-Athari (1322–1416 AH / 1904–1996 CE) was an Iraqi scholar, educator, and man of letters, renowned for his biographical writing and his work in Arabic language pedagogy and Islamic thought .

Early Life and Education

Muhammad Bahjat ibn Mahmud ibn Abd al-Qadir was born in Iraq in 1322 AH (1904 CE) . He pursued his traditional education under prominent Iraqi scholars, most notably Mahmud Shukri al-Alusi and Ali Ala' al-Din al-Alusi . Owing to his deep engagement with hadith literature and the traditions of the early generations (athar), his teacher Mahmud Shukri al-Alusi gave him the cognomen "al-Athari" .

Career and Academic Roles

Al-Athari worked for many years within the educational system, serving as the chief inspector of the Arabic language at the Iraqi Ministry of Education . In 1381 AH (1961 CE), he was appointed by King Saud to the Higher Advisory Council of the Islamic University of Madinah . His standing in Arabic letters led to his election as a member of the Iraqi Academy of Sciences, the Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo, and the Arab Academy of Damascus, and he received several state decorations and medals in recognition of his service .

Scholarly Output and Death

Al-Athari's scholarly contributions spanned the history of Arabic literature, regional biographical history, and Islamic theological reform. He authored A'lam al-Iraq ("Eminent Figures of Iraq"), chronicling the lives and lineages of Iraqi scholars . He also wrote Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab: Da'iyat al-Tawhid wa-al-Tajdid fi al-Asr al-Hadith ("Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab: Caller to Monotheism and Renewal in the Modern Era"), which was published by Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh . In addition to his scholarly research, he was an active poet whose poetic works were published as Diwan al-Athari .

He died in 1416 AH (1996 CE) .

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List of Works