Muhammad ibn Ahmad Ulaysh

Muhammad ibn Ahmad Ulaysh (1217–1299 AH / 1802–1882 CE) was an Egyptian Maliki jurist and mufti who served as the head of the Maliki scholars at al-Azhar, recognized for his jurisprudence commentary Manh al-Jalil and his collection of legal responsa Fath al-Ali al-Malik al-Alam lil-Zirikli+1.

Lineage and education

Abu Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad Ulaysh was born in Rajab 1217 AH (1802 CE) in the al-Jawar quarter near al-Azhar in Cairo Mujam al-Matbuat al-Arabi…+1. His family was of Maghrebi origin; his grandfather Muhammad had originated from Fez and settled in Tripoli upon returning from the pilgrimage, where his father Ahmad was born before the family relocated to Cairo al-Alam lil-Zirikli+1. He adhered to the Maliki school in law, the Ash'ari school in theology, and the Shadhili order in Sufism Mujam al-Muallifin+1.

He pursued his education at al-Azhar, studying under scholars including Muhammad al-Amir al-Saghir, Mustafa al-Bulaqi, Mustafa al-Salmuni, Humayda al-Adawi, Mahmud Maqdish, Yusuf al-Sawi, and Abd al-Jawad al-Shabbasi, and received general authorization (ijaza) from Muhammad ibn Malluka and Ibrahim al-Malluli Mujam al-Matbuat al-Arabi…+1.

Teaching and scholarly career

He began teaching at al-Azhar in 1245 AH, attracting study circles that regularly exceeded two hundred students, and delivered lectures on hadith texts at the Mosque of al-Husayn Mujam al-Matbuat al-Arabi…+1. In Shawwal 1270 AH, he was appointed head of the Maliki scholars (mashyakhat al-sada al-malikiyya) and assumed the office of Maliki mufti of Egypt Mujam al-Matbuat al-Arabi…+1. Among his notable students were Shams al-Din al-Inbabi, Abd al-Rahman al-Shirbini, and Ahmad Abu al-Su'ud al-Isma'ili Mujam al-Matbuat al-Arabi…+1.

In jurisprudence, his authoritative status was consolidated through Manh al-Jalil ala Mukhtasar Khalil, an extensive four-volume commentary on Khalil ibn Ishaq's legal manual, and Hidayat al-Salik, a supercommentary on Ahmad al-Dardir's al-Sharh al-Saghir al-Alam lil-Zirikli+1. His legal opinions delivered during his tenure as mufti were compiled in the two-volume collection Fath al-Ali al-Malik fi al-Fatwa ala Madhhab al-Imam Malik al-Alam lil-Zirikli+1.

Trial and death

During the Urabi revolt, he was accused of supporting the movement al-Alam lil-Zirikli+1. Following the British occupation of Egypt, he was arrested while severely ill and bedridden, carried from his home, and confined to the hospital prison in Cairo al-Alam lil-Zirikli+1. He died while imprisoned on 9 Dhu al-Hijjah 1299 AH (1882 CE; another report records 1881 CE) Mujam al-Muallifin+1. He was buried in the Mujawirin Cemetery (Qarafat al-Mujawirin) in Cairo, near the tomb of Abd Allah al-Manufi Mujam al-Matbuat al-Arabi….