Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Mawwaq
- Died
- 897 AH
- Born in
- -
Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Mawwaq (d. 897 AH / 1492 CE) was an Andalusian Maliki jurist, preacher, and chief mufti of Granada, celebrated for his major legal commentary al-Taj wal-Iklil li-Mukhtasar Khalil.
Name and Early Career
His full name was Abu 'Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Yusuf ibn Abi al-Qasim ibn Yusuf al-'Abdari (also attributed as al-'Abdusi), known by the surname al-Mawwaq. Based in Granada, he was educated by prominent scholars of the city, including Abu al-Qasim ibn Siraj, Muhammad ibn 'Asim, al-Munturi, and Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Sanna'. He was subsequently appointed as the preacher and mufti of the capital (mufti al-hadra), becoming recognized as the foremost scholar of Granada and the last of its leading imams. Among those who studied under him and transmitted his teachings were Abu al-Hasan al-Zaqqaq, Ahmad al-Daqqun, and Ahmad ibn Dawud.
Scholarly Standing
Al-Mawwaq held high standing among western Islamic scholars for his mastery of Maliki jurisprudence. Al-Sharif Muhammad ibn 'Ali al-Hasani characterized him as an observant scholar and preacher who possessed comprehensive command of legal opinions and intricate knowledge of the subtle branches of the law. His most significant contribution to Maliki law was al-Taj wal-Iklil li-Mukhtasar Khalil ("The Crown and the Diadem for Khalil's Abridgment"), a comprehensive commentary on the legal handbook of Khalil ibn Ishaq; he also wrote a shorter commentary on the same work. In the field of Quranic exegesis and ethics, he authored Sunan al-muhtadin fi maqamat al-din ("The Ways of the Guided in the Stations of Religion"), expounding upon the verse ثم أورثنا الكتاب الذين اصطفينا من عبادنا across nine stations; the work received high praise from contemporary scholars, including Imam al-Rassa'.
Fall of Granada and Death
Al-Mawwaq lived to witness the fall of Granada to Christian forces in 897 AH (1492 CE). When the conquering authorities inquired about the principal Muslim authority in religious knowledge, they were directed to him and summoned him to their presence. Although he initially refused, he was persuaded by local residents to appear before the minister of the ruler; upon meeting, the minister extended his hand, which al-Mawwaq kissed. Although onlookers disapproved of the gesture, the minister's hand reportedly became severely swollen and painful shortly thereafter, prompting him to recall al-Mawwaq to request his supplication.
Al-Mawwaq died at an advanced age in Sha'ban 897 AH (1492 CE); another report notes that he had entered Fez. An earlier death date of 838 AH recorded by al-Sakhawi in al-Daw' al-Lami' is identified by biographers as an error.
Answer updated
List of Works
al-Taj wal-Iklil li-Mukhtasar Khalil (The Crown and the Diadem for Khalil's Abridgment) is an extensive Maliki legal commentary on Mukhtasar Khalil, the standard legal compendium compiled by Khalil ibn Ishaq.