Muhammad Mahfuz
- Died
- 1408 AH
- Born in
- -
Muhammad Mahfuz (1340–1408 AH / 1921–1988 CE) was a Tunisian writer, historian, and scholar from Sfax, known for his biographical and bio-bibliographical scholarship on Tunisian authors, notably his multi-volume reference work Tarajim al-Muallifin al-Tunisiyyin ("Biographies of Tunisian Authors") .
Life and Education
Mahfuz was born in 1340 AH (1921 CE) and became one of the prominent literary figures of Sfax . He received his foundational education within the Zitouna tradition at Ez-Zitouna, developing a primarily Arabic intellectual background . Although he held only an elementary certificate in French, his knowledge of the language enabled him to engage directly with French literature, modern historical works, and orientalist studies .
Scholarly Activity and Death
Mahfuz devoted most of his intellectual effort to surveying, reviewing, and editing the writings of Tunisian thinkers and scholars, producing scholarship that came to be regarded as fundamental reference material . His primary biographical dictionary, Tarajim al-Muallifin al-Tunisiyyin, was published in five volumes . In addition to biographical compendia, he engaged in editing historical and literary manuscripts, such as his edition of Barnamaj al-Wadi Ashi ("The Catalogue of al-Wadi Ashi") and his collaborative edition of Mahmud Maqdish's history Nuzhat al-Anzar fi Aja'ib al-Tawarikh wa-al-Akhbar ("The Excursion of Gazes into the Wonders of Histories and Chronicles") with Ali al-Zawi .
Prior to his death, he was preparing several additional manuscripts for publication, which were slated for release through a collaboration between the Tunisian Writers Union and the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs . Mahfuz died on the night of June 7, 1988 (1408 AH) .
Answer updated
List of Works
Tarajim al-Muallifin al-Tunisiyyin (Biographies of Tunisian Authors) is a biographical dictionary documenting Tunisian writers and scholars across Islamic history. It covers figures from both classical and modern periods, including native Tunisian authors and those who settled and died in Tunisia.