ˁAbdur-Raˀūf As-Sajīnī

Office assumption date

1181 AH/1767 CE.

Retirement date

Shawwāl 14, 1182 AH/February 20, 1769 CE.

Era

The Ottoman’s.

A Note about the Grand Imam

     Grand Imam ˁAbdur-Raˀūf As-Sajīnī was born in Sajīn, Al-Gharbiyyah, Egypt. He was raised in a household of knowledge and nobility. Thus, he memorized the Noble Qurˀān, and learnt Islamic disciplines from his father and his uncle. Then, As-Sajīnī went to Al-Azhar Mosque where he was educated by Grand Imam Muḥammad Al-Ḥifnī. He kept company with his uncle, Sheikh Shamsuddin As-Sajīnī. He became the Head of Ruwāq Ash-Sharāqwa (Ash-Sharāqwa Class Court).  As-Sajīnī remained in this position despite assuming Al-Azhar Grand Imam’s position in 1181 AH/1767 CE. He perfectly and strictly fulfilled the duties of the position until he passed to his Lord on Shawwāl 14, 1182 AH / February 20, 1769 CE.

Brief Biographical Notes

     Grand Imam ˁAbdur-Raˀūf Ibn Muḥammad Ibn Abdur-Raḥmān Ibn Aḥmad As-Sajīnī Ash-Shāfiˁī Al-Azharī was born in the village of Sajīn, Al-Gharbiyyah, Egypt. He was raised in a household of knowledge and nobility. He joined Al-Azhar and was educated by Grand Imam Muḥammad Al-Ḥifnī, and many other Azhari scholars and mentors. Among the most prominent of them was his uncle, Sheikh Shamsuddin As-Sajīnī whose company he kept to learn from him. After his uncle’s death, As-Sajīnī succeeded him in teaching the book of Manhaj uṭ-Ṭuallab (A Student Course Book) by Zakariyyā Al-Anṣārī, which was a major source in the curriculum of Shāfiˁī Islamic Jurisprudence. Among his colleagues and teachers, As-Sajīnī was well known for his intelligence, acumen and good manners. Then, he devoted himself to teaching. Thus, many students flocked to attend his lessons. The number of students was so large that the allocated classroom was really cramped. He was also known for his wide knowledge, piety and wise management.

     Sheikh As-Sajīnī enjoyed a high esteem. Due to his wide knowledge and intellectual excellence, he became the Head of Ruwāq Ash-Sharāqwa in Al-Azhar. He remained in this position despite assuming Al-Azhar Grand Imam’s position in 1181 AH/1767 CE.  He perfectly and strictly fulfilled the duties of the position until he passed to his Lord on Shawwāl 14, 1182 AH/February 20, 1769 CE. His funeral prayer was held in Al-Azhar Mosque in a well-attended scene. He was buried next to his uncle, Sheikh Shamsuddin As-Sajīnī.

Notable Contributions and Events

• As-Sajīnī taught at Al-Azhar Mosque.
• He was the Head of Ruwāq Ash-Sharāqwa in Al-Azhar Mosque.
• He assumed Al-Azhar Grand Imam’s position in 1181 AH/1767 CE while retaining the chiefdom of Ruwāq Ash-Sharāqwa until he passed to his Lord on Shawwāl 14, 1182 AH / February 20, 1769 CE.
• He excelled in teaching Islamic classics, the matter which made him so beneficial that he did not really have to author books.
• Many of his students later became prominent scholars.
• Grand Imam As-Sajīnī was a good example to his students, in terms of behavior, teaching, good manners and morals.