Muhammad Tawfiq al-Bakri
- Died
- 1351 AH
- Born in
- Cairo
Muhammad Tawfiq al-Bakri (1287–1351 AH / 1870–1932 CE) was an Egyptian scholar, poet, and dignitary who served as the head of the Sufi orders and syndic of the Prophet's descendants (Naqib al-Ashraf) in Egypt.
Lineage and Early Life
His full lineage is Abu al-Najm Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Muhammad al-Bakri al-Siddiqi al-Umari al-Tamimi al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, tracing maternal descent to al-Husayn ibn Ali. He was born at his father's palace overlooking the Nile on Rawda Island in Cairo on Friday, 27 Jumada al-Akhira 1287 AH (1870 CE). He memorized the Quran and learned the fundamentals of the Arabic language at home before enrolling in al-Madrasa al-Aliyya, an elite institution established by Khedive Tawfiq for his sons and the children of Egyptian notables. There, he studied rational and traditional disciplines and graduated at the top of his class. In addition to his mastery of classical Arabic prose and verse, he attained fluency in French and Turkish and spoke English.
Public Career and Literary Activity
Al-Bakri assumed the leadership of the Sufi orders in Egypt (mashyakhat mashayikh al-turuq al-sufiyya) and the office of Naqib al-Ashraf. He was also appointed as a permanent member of both the Consultative Council of Laws (Majlis Shura al-Qawanin) and the General Assembly (al-Jam'iyya al-Umumiyya). During his public life, he traveled to Europe twice.
In literary circles, al-Bakri maintained an active salon and patronized visiting scholars, notably hosting the Mauritanian philologist Muhammad Mahmud al-Shinqiti in Cairo. His literary output drew heavily on classical models while addressing contemporary themes; his anthology Saharij al-Lu'lu' (Cisterns of Pearls) brought together prose pieces and poems that combined classical Arabic phrasing with philosophical reflections. He also published Arajiz al-Arab, a collection of ancient Arabic rajaz poetry accompanied by his commentary. Following political tensions and a deteriorating relationship with Khedive Abbas Hilmi II, al-Bakri withdrew from public affairs.
Later Life and Death
In 1912 CE, al-Bakri suffered from severe psychological distress and obsessive delusions, leading his family to transfer him for treatment to the Asfuriyya hospital in Lebanon. He remained there until he recovered and returned to Egypt on 27 May 1928 CE. He died in Cairo on 12 Rabi al-Akhir 1351 AH (1932 CE).
Answer updated
List of Works
al-Lu'lu' fi al-Adab (also known as Saharij al-Lu'lu', "Cisterns of Pearls") is an Arabic literary anthology of rhymed prose and poetry. Published in Cairo in 1907 CE as an octavo volume of 388 pages, the book compiles select writings into a primary literary compendium comprising ten pieces that combine prose and verse.