Muhammad Muhammad Husayn
- Died
- 1402 AH
- Born in
- Sohag
Muhammad Muhammad Husayn (1331–1403 AH / 1912–1982 CE; also recorded as d. 1402 AH) was an Egyptian literary scholar, Islamic thinker, and critic, known for his critical studies on modern Arab literature and his defense of Islamic identity against Westernizing intellectual currents .
Early Life and Education
Husayn was born in Sohag in Upper Egypt in 1912 . He pursued his primary and secondary schooling in Sohag, except for the first year of his secondary education, which he completed at the secondary school in Asyut . He then enrolled in the Department of Arabic Language at the Egyptian University in Cairo, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1937 . Upon graduation, he was appointed a teaching assistant at the faculty in the same year, teaching twelve weekly classes, before completing his master's and doctoral degrees .
Academic Career
In 1940, Husayn was assigned to teach at the Faculty of Arts in Alexandria, which was then a branch of the Egyptian University . After Alexandria University gained independence in 1942, he transferred there permanently and advanced through the academic ranks until assuming a full professorship of Arabic literature in 1954 . During his tenure, he was seconded to teach at the University of Libya and the Beirut Arab University . Following his formal retirement in 1972, he continued teaching under contract at the Beirut Arab University, before joining the faculty of Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh in 1976 .
Intellectual Thought and Reception
Husayn was recognized for his thorough and measured critical writings examining the ideological shifts in modern Arabic literature and culture . His primary critical contribution, al-Ittijahat al-Wataniyya fi al-Adab al-Mu'asir (National Trends in Contemporary Literature), examined ideological currents in modern literature and presented a critical rebuttal of Westernizing perspectives championed by figures such as Taha Husayn . He also published Husununa Muhaddada min Dakhiliha (Our Fortresses Are Threatened from Within), which compiled articles written for Majallat al-Azhar critiquing secularization, Westernization, and internal challenges to Islamic culture and language . In addition, his delivered lectures included al-Islam wa-al-Hadara al-Gharbiyya (Islam and Western Civilization) .
Death
Husayn died in 1403 AH (1982 CE), with some biographical records giving his death year as 1402 AH . A commemorative two-day symposium devoted to his literary and critical legacy was held at Alexandria University the following year .
Answer updated
List of Works
Husununa Muhaddada min Dakhiliha (Our Fortresses Are Threatened from Within) is a critical and ideological work examining internal Westernizing trends, secular influences, and institutional shifts affecting Islamic culture, education, and language.