-
Al-Azhar University
() Jmiat al-Azhar (al-Sharf)
Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo Egypt
Established 970~972
Type Public
Religious
affiliation
Shia Islam until fall of Fatimid Dynasty,
Currently Sunni Islam1
President Usama al-Abd
Location Cairo, Egypt
300245N 311545E
Campus Urban
Website http://www.alazhar.gov.eg/
(http://www.alazhar.gov.eg/Default_en.aspx)
1Between 972 and 1171 CE, al-Azhar followed the Ismaili branch
of
Shia Islam
Al-Azhar UniversityFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Al Azhar)
Al-Azhar University (AHZ-har ; Arabic: () Jmiat al-Azhar
(al-Sharf), IPA: [met
el zh ei f], "the (honorable) Azhar University")is a university
in Cairo, Egypt. Founded in 970 or 972by the Fatimids as a madrasa,
or centre of Islamiclearning, its students studied the Qur'an and
Islamic lawin detail, along with logic, grammar, rhetoric, and
howto calculate the lunar phases of the moon. By bringingtogether
the study of a number of subjects in the sameplace it was one of
the first universities in the world andthe only one to survive as a
modern university includingsecular subjects in the curriculum. It
is today the chiefcentre of Arabic literature and Islamic learning
in the
world.[1] It is the oldest degree-granting university inEgypt.
In 1961 additional non-religious subjects were
added to its curriculum.[2]
It is associated with Al-Azhar Mosque in Islamic Cairo.The
university's mission includes the propagation ofIslamic religion
and culture. To this end, its Islamicscholars (ulamas) render
edicts (fatwas) on disputessubmitted to them from all over the
Sunni Islamic worldregarding proper conduct for Muslim individuals
andsocieties. Al-Azhar also trains Egyptian government-appointed
preachers in proselytization
(da'wa).[citation needed]
Its library is considered second in importance in Egyptonly to
the Egyptian National Library and
Archives.[citation needed] In May 2005, Al-Azhar inpartnership
with a Dubai information technologyenterprise,
ITEP(http://www.itep.ae/english/AboutUS/aboutus.asp)launched the
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid AlMaktoum Project to Preserve Al
Azhar Scripts andPublish Them Online (the "Al-Azhar Online
Project")with the mission of eventually providing online access
tothe library's entire rare manuscripts collection
(comprising about seven million pages).[3][4]
Contents
Coordinates: 300245N 311545E
-
Interior of Al-Azhar mosque
Faculty of Humanities - Al-Azhar
University - Gaza.
1 History
2 Religious ideology
3 Council of Senior Scholars
4 Political views
4.1 On freedom of speech
5 Notable people associated with the university5.1 10th early
11th centuries
5.2 19th early 20th centuries
5.3 1910s1950s
5.4 1950present
6 References
7 Further reading
8 External links
History
The madrasa is one of the relics of the Isma'ili Shi'a Fatimid
dynasty eraof Egypt, descended from Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad
and Ali son-in-law and cousin of prophet Muhammad. Fatimah, was
called Al-Zahra
(The luminous), and it was named in her honor.[5] It was founded
asmosque by the Fatimid commander Jawhar at the orders of the
Caliphand Ismaili Imam Al-Muizz as he founded the city for Cairo.
It was(probably on Saturday) in Jamadi al-Awwal in the year 359
A.H. Itsbuilding was completed on the 9th of Ramadan in the year
361 A.H.(972AD) Both Al-'Aziz Billah and Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah
added to itspremises. It was further repaired, renovated and
extended by Al-Mustansir Billah and Al-Hafiz Li-Din-illah. Fatimid
Caliphs alwaysencouraged scholars and jurists to have their
study-circles and gatheringsin this mosque and thus it was turned
into a university which has the claim
to be considered as the oldest University still
functioning.[6]
Studies began at Al-Azhar in the month of Ramadan, 975.
According toSyed Farid Alatas, the Jami'ah had faculties in Islamic
law and jurisprudence, Arabic grammar, Islamic astronomy,
Islamic philosophy, and logic.[7][8] The Fatimids gave attention
to the philosophical studies at the time when rulers inother
countries declared those who were engaged in philosophical pursuits
as apostates and heretics. The Greekthought found a warm reception
with the Fatimids who expanded the boundaries of such studies. They
paid muchattention to philosophy and gave support to everyone who
was known for being engaged in the study of any branchof
philosophy. The Fatimid Caliph invited many scholars from nearby
countries and paid much attention to collegebooks on various
branches of knowledge and in gathering the finest writing on
various subjects and this in order toencourage scholars and to
uphold the cause of knowledge. These books were destroyed by
Salah-ud-Din Ayyubi
in the same manner in which he exterminated the Fatimids and
thus these Fatimid treasure were lost forever.[6] Inthe 12th
century, following the overthrow of the Ismaili Shia Fatimid
dynasty, Sultan Saladin (the founder of the
staunchly Sunni Ayyubid Dynasty) converted Al-Azhar to a
Shafi'ite Sunni center of learning.[1][9] Abd-el-latifdelivered
lectures on Islamic medicine at Al-Azhar, while the Jewish
philosopher Maimonides delivered lectures on
medicine and astronomy there during the time of Saladin.[10]
-
An entrance to the mosque and
university. The Minaret of Qunsah al
Ghuri is visible on the right.
Floor plan of Al Azhar Mosque
An Azhari institute in Tanta
In 1961, Al-Azhar was established as a university under the
governmentof Egypt's second President Gamal Abdel Nasser when a
wide range ofsecular faculties were added for the first time, such
as business,economics, science, pharmacy, medicine, engineering and
agriculture.Before that date, the Encyclopaedia of Islam classifies
the Al-Azharvariously as madrasa, center of higher learning and,
since the 19thcentury, religious university, but not as a
university in the full sense,referring to the modern transition
process as "from madrasa to
university".[2][11] An Islamic women's faculty was also added in
the sameyear, six years after Zaib-un-Nissa Hamidullah had been the
first woman
to speak at the university.[citation needed].
Religious ideology
Al-Azhar has a membership that represents the theological
schools of Al-Ashari and Al-Maturidi, the four schools of Sunni
Islamic jurisprudence
(Hanafi, Malaki, Shafi, and Hanbali), and the seven main Sufi
orders.[12]
Al-Azhar has had an antagonistic relationship with Wahhabism
or
Salafism.[13] According to a 2011 report issued by the
CarnegieEndowment for International Peace, Al Azhar is strongly
Sufi incharacter:
"Adherence to a Sufi order has long been standard for
bothprofessors and students in the al-Azhar mosque and
universitysystem. Although al-Azhar is not monolithic, its identity
hasbeen strongly associated with Sufism. The current Shaykh
al-Azhar (rector of the school), Ahmed el-Tayeb, is a
hereditarySufi shaykh from Upper Egypt who has recently expressed
hissupport for the formation of a world Sufi league; the
formerGrand Mufti of Egypt and senior al-Azhar scholar Ali
Gomaa
is also a highly respected Sufi master."[14]
The nineteenth and current Grand Mufti of Egypt and Al Azhar
scholar,Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam is also a Sufi.
Council of Senior Scholars
Al-Azhar University's Council of Senior Scholars (also known as
theAssociation of Senior Scholars) was originally founded in 1911
but wasreplaced in 1961 by the Center for Islamic Research. In July
2012,after the law restricting Al-Azhar University's autonomy was
modified by
the incoming president Mohamed Morsi, the Council was
reformed.[15]
The Council consists of 40 members with 14 vacancies[16] all
appointed by the current imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed
El-Tayeb,[17] who was appointed by the prior president, Hosni
Mubarak. Once the remaining 14 vacancies are
filled, new vacancies will be appointed by the existing Council
itself.[16] All four madhab (schools) of Sunni Islamicjurisprudence
are proportionally represented on the Council (Hanafi, Shafi'i,
Hanbali, Maliki) and voting is on a
-
Gateway
Interior of a dome in Al-Azhar
mosque.
A chandelier adorns the woodworked
ceiling of a prayer hall.
majority basis.[15] In addition to El-Tayeb, other prominent
members of the Council include the outgoing Grand
Mufti Ali Gomaa and Qatar-based Islamic scholar Yusuf
al-Qaradawi.[18] The Council is tasked with nominatingthe Grand
Mufti of Egypt (subject to presidential approval), electing the
next Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Mosque,
and is expected to be the final authority in determining if new
legislation is compliant with Islamic law.[15] Althoughthe
Council's decisions are not binding (absent new legislation), it
isexpected that it would be difficult for the parliament to pass
legislation
deemed by the Council as against Islamic law.[15]
In January 2013, Al-Tayeb referred a relatively minor issue
related toIslamic bonds to the Council, for the first time
asserting the Council's
jurisdiction.[15] In 2013, the Council elected Shawki Ibrahim
Abdel-Karim Allam to be the next Grand Mufti of Egypt. This marks
the firsttime that the Grand Mufti would be elected by Islamic
scholars since theposition was created in 1895. Prior to this, the
Egyptian head of state
made the appointment.[17]
Political views
Sheikh Muhammad Sayyid Tantawy noted that among the priorities
ofMuslims are "to master all knowledge of the world and the
hereafter, notleast the technology of modern weapons to strengthen
and defend thecommunity and faith". He added that "mastery over
modern weaponry isimportant to prepare for any eventuality or
prejudices of the others,
although Islam is a religion of peace".[19]
Sheikh Tantawy also reasserted that his is the best faith to
follow (a tenetcommon to proponents of many religions) and that
Muslims have the dutyof active da'wa. He has made declarations
about Muslims interacting withnon-Muslims who are not a threat to
Muslims. There are non-Muslimsliving apart from Muslims and who are
not enemies of Islam ("Muslimsare allowed to undertake exchanges of
interests with these non-Muslimsso long as these ties do not
tarnish the image of the faith"), and there are"the non-Muslims who
live in the same country as the Muslims incooperation and on
friendly terms, and are not enemies of the faith" ("inthis case,
their rights and responsibilities are the same as the Muslims
solong as they do not become enemies of Islam"). However, Shi'a
fiqh(according to a fatwa by Al-Azhar, the most respected authority
in Sunni
Islam)[20] is accepted as a fifth school of Islamic thought.
On freedom of speech
In October 2007, Muhammad Sayyid Tantawy, then the Grand Imam
ofAl-Azhar, drew allegations of stifling freedom of speech when he
askedthe Egyptian government to toughen its rules and punishments
againstjournalists. During a Friday sermon in the presence of
Egyptian PrimeMinister Ahmed Nazif and a number of ministers,
Tantawy was alleged to have stated that journalism which
-
A study hall
contributes to the spread of false rumours rather than true news
deserved to be boycotted, and that it wastantamount to sinning for
readers to purchase such newspapers.Tantawy, a supporter of then
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, alsocalled for a punishment of
eighty lashes to "those who spread rumors" inan indictment of
speculation by journalists over Mubarak's ill health and
possible death.[21][22] This was not the first time that he had
criticized theEgyptian press regarding its news coverage nor the
first time he in returnhad been accused by the press of opposing
freedom of speech. During areligious celebration in the same month,
Tantawy had released commentsalluding to "the arrogant and the
pretenders who accuse others with theugliest vice and
unsubstantiated charges". In response, Egypt's pressunion issued a
statement suggesting that Tantawy appeared to beinvolved in
inciting and escalating a campaign against journalists and
freedom of the press.[23] Tantawy died in 2010 and was succeeded
byMohamed Ahmed el-Tayeb.
Notable people associated with the university
10th early 11th centuries
Fatimid commander Jawhar at the orders of the Caliph Al-Muizz
(972)Al-'Aziz Billah(975996) and Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah(9961021)
Al-Mustansir Billah(10211036) and Al-Hafiz Li-Din-illah
19th early 20th centuries
Muhammad Abduh and Sayd Jamal edin Afghani, founder of Islamic
Modernism
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, founder and leader of Black Hand
Mohammad Amin al-Husayni, Mufti of JerusalemAhmed Orabi,
Egyptian nationalist and army general who led the Urabi Revolt
against Khedive Tewfik
1910s1950s
Hassan al-Banna, founder of the Muslim Brotherhood (he graduated
from Darul 'Uloom which is an affiliate
of Cairo University)
Mehmed Handi, a leader of Bosnian revivalists, one of authors of
Resolution of Sarajevo Muslims andchairman of the Committee of
National Salvation
Omar Abdel Rahman, leader of Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya, which has
been designated a terrorist group by the
governments of the United States and Egypt; currently serving a
life term for the 1993 World Trade Center
bombingTaqiuddin al-Nabhani, the leader and founder of The
Islamic Political Party, Hizb ut-Tahrir (The Party of
Liberation)
Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, co-founder and leader of HamasSaad Zaghlul,
leader of 1919 revolution in Egypt
Taha Hussein, Influential Egyptian writer and intellectual
-
Muhammad Ma Jian, translator of the Qur'an into the Chinese
language
Ahmad Meshari Al-Adwani, Kuwaiti poet and writer of Kuwait's
national anthem Al-Nasheed Al-Watani
Ahmad al-Ghumari, Moroccan cleric, enrolled in 1921, dropped out
due to a death in the familyAbdullah al-Ghumari, Moroccan cleric,
graduated from Azhar in 1931
Abu Turab al-Zahiri, Indian-born Saudi Arabian writer
1950present
Mohammed Burhanuddin, Dai of Dawoodi Bohra researched and
rediscovered Al-Azhar University's past
History and was Awarded Ph.d from Al-Azhar University.[24]
Shire Jama Ahmed, Somali linguist who devised a Latin script for
the Somali language.[25]
Mahmud Shaltut,[citation needed] Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar,
issued in 1959 a Fatwa, declaring that Al-
Azhar recognizes Shi'ism as a valid branch of Islam
Abdel-Halim Mahmoud,[citation needed] Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar,
introduced the study of Sufism as a
science through his writings and lectures on the matter
Ahmed Subhy Mansour,[citation needed] Islamic scholar, cleric,
and founder of the Quranists, who was
exiled from Egypt, and lives in the United States as a political
refugeeTaha Jabir Alalwani, President of Cordoba University
(Ashburn, VA, USA), former Chairman of the Fiqh
Council of North America, and the President of the International
Institute of Islamic Thought in Herndon,
Virginia (USA).[26]
Gus Dur,[citation needed] Former President of Indonesia
Muhammad Sayyid Tantawy,[citation needed] former Grand Imam of
Al-Azhar (March 17, 1996 to March
10, 2010)
Muhammad Metwally Al Shaarawy[citation needed] is an Egyptian
Muslim juristMaumoon Abdul Gayoom, Former President of The Republic
of Maldives.
Abdulla Saeed, Former Chief Justice, and Justice Supreme Court
of The Republic of Maldives.[27]
Abdulla Mohamed, Chief Judge, Criminal Court of The Republic of
Maldives.[27]
Fathulla Jameel, Former Foreign Minister of Maldives.
Muhammad Jameel Didi Maldives Author and writer
Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat Mursyidul Am (Spiritual Leader) of the
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) and
former Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of the Malaysian state of
Kelantan
Akhtar Raza Khan, the de-facto grand mufti of India.[28]
List of Presidents of Al-Azhar University
List of universities in Egypt
Outside Egypt
Al-Azhar University Gaza
Al-Azhar University Doha
References
1. ^a b Encyclopdia Britannica. "Britannica article"
(http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-46851/al-Azhar-
-
University). Britannica article. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
2. ^a b Skovgaard-Petersen, Jakob. "al-Azhar, modern period."
Encyclopaedia of Islam, THREE. Edited by: GudrunKrmer, Denis
Matringe, John Nawas and Everett Rowson. Brill, 2010, retrieved
20/03/2010:
Al-Azhar, the historic centre of higher Islamic learning in
Cairo, has undergone significant changesince the late 19th century,
with new regulations and reforms resulting in an expanded role for
theuniversity. 1. From madrasa to university
3. ^ "AME Info.com, 26 September 2005"
(http://www.ameinfo.com/68624.html). Ameinfo.
Archived(http://web.archive.org/web/20100419071542/http://www.ameinfo.com/68624.html)
from the original on 19 April2010. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
4. ^ ITEP press release, 10 October 2006
5. ^ Halm, Heinz. The Fatimids and their Traditions of Learning.
London: The Institute of Ismaili Studies and I.B.Tauris. 1997.
6. ^a b Shorter Shi'ite Encyclopaedia, By: Hasan al-Amin,
http://www.imamreza.net/eng/imamreza.php?id=574
7. ^ Alatas, Syed Farid (2006). "From Jami` ah to University:
Multiculturalism and ChristianMuslim Dialogue".
Current Sociology 54 (1): 11232.
doi:10.1177/0011392106058837(http://dx.doi.org/10.1177%2F0011392106058837)
8. ^ Goddard, Hugh (2000). A History of Christian-Muslim
Relations. Edinburgh University Press. p. 99. ISBN
0-7486-1009-X
9. ^ Encyclopdia Britannica p.37 1993 edition ISBN
0-85229-571-5
10. ^ Necipogulu, Gulru (1996). Muqarnas, Volume 13. Brill
Publishers. p. 56. ISBN 90-04-10633-2
11. ^ Jomier, J. "al- Azhar (al-jmi al-Azhar)." Encyclopaedia of
Islam, Second Edition. Edited by: P. Bearman , Th.Bianquis , C.E.
Bosworth , E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2010, retrieved
20/03/2010:
This great mosque, the 'brilliant one'...is one of the principal
mosques of present-day Cairo. This seatof learning...regained all
its activitySunn from now onduring the reign of Sultan
Baybars...Al-Azhar at the beginning of the 19th century could well
have been called a religious university; what itwas not was a
complete university giving instruction in those modern disciplines
essential to theawakening of the country.
12. ^ Jadaliyya: "The Identity of Al-Azhar and Its Doctrine" by
Ibrahim
El-Houdaiby(http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/6638/the-identity-of-al-azhar-and-its-doctrine)
July 29, 2012
13. ^ Islamopedia: "Al-Azhars relations with other Sunni groups"
(http://www.islamopediaonline.org/country-profile/egypt/al-azhar-and-dar-al-ifta/al-azhar%E2%80%99s-relations-other-sunni-groups)
14. ^ Carnegie Endowment for International Peace" "Salafis and
Sufis in Egypt" by Jonathon
Brown(http://carnegieendowment.org/files/salafis_sufis.pdf)
December 2011 ] p 12
15. ^a b c d e Al Aribiya: "Senior scholars and the new Egyptian
constitution" By Hani Nasira and Saeid
al-Sonny(http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/01/10/259734.html)
January 10, 2013
16. ^a b Foreign Policy magazine: "Egypts new mufti" By Nathan
J.
Brown(http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/02/12/egypt_s_new_mufti)
February 12, 2013
17. ^a b New York Times: "Goodbye Pope, Hello Mufti" By ISSANDR
EL
AMRANI(http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/13/goodbye-pope-hello-mufti/?_r=0)
February 13, 2013
18. ^ Ahram Online: "Egypt's new Grand Mufti elected for first
time
ever"(http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/64550/Egypt/Politics-/Egypts-new-Grand-Mufti-elected-for-first-time-ever.aspx)
Frebruary 11, 2013
19. ^ "The Grand Imams of Al-Azhar"
(http://www.sunnah.org/history/Scholars/mashaykh_azhar.htm).
Archived(http://web.archive.org/web/20060619010446/http://sunnah.org/history/Scholars/mashaykh_azhar.htm)
from theoriginal on 19 June 2006. Retrieved 2006-06-24.
20. ^ al-Azhar Verdict on the Shia
(http://www.al-islam.org/encyclopedia/chapter1b/14.html) Shi'ite
Encyclopediav2.0, Al-islam
21. ^ "allheadlinenews"
(http://www.feedsyndicate.com/articles/7008789310). Feedsyndicate.
2007-10-10. Retrieved2010-03-21.
-
22. ^ aljazeera.net
(http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E0D3182E-7EC0-4324-AF03-8131972B4522.htm)(ArabicOnline)
23. ^ "International Herald Tribune"
(http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/11/africa/ME-GEN-Egypt-Azhar-Journalists.php).
International Herald Tribune. 2009-03-29. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
24. ^ "Serving Dawoodi Bohras Worldwide"
(http://www.mumineen.org). Mumineen.org. 2010-03-04.
Archived(http://web.archive.org/web/20100318053056/http://www.mumineen.org/)
from the original on 18 March 2010.Retrieved 2010-03-21.
25. ^ David D. Laitin, Politics, Language, and Thought: The
Somali Experience, (University Of Chicago Press: 1977),p. 102
26. ^ "Cordoba University"
(http://www.cordobauniversity.org/gsiss/faculty/Alalwani.asp).
Cordoba
University.Archived(http://web.archive.org/web/20100213011849/http://www.cordobauniversity.org/gsiss/faculty/Alalwani.asp)
fromthe original on 13 February 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
27. ^a b Supreme Court of the Government of the Maldives
(http://supremecourt.gov.mv/di/)
28. ^ http://www.rissc.jo/docs/0A-FullVersion-LowRes.pdf
Further reading
Witte, Griff (March 3, 2012). "At al-Azhar Mosque, struggle over
Islam roils a revered Egyptian institution"
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/at-al-azhar-mosque-struggle-over-islam-roils-a-
revered-egyptian-institution/2012/03/01/gIQAIzmNpR_story.html).
The Washington Post.
External links
Al-Azhar University (Arabic) (http://www.azhar.edu.eg/)
The world Association for Al-Azhar Graduates
(http://www.waag-azhar.org/)
Al-Azhar Institute for Teaching Arabic as Foreign Language
(http://www.azhar-ali.com/go/)
Al-Azhar-US Embassy English Language Resource Center (ELRC)
(http://elrccairo.net)
Al-Azhar University Faculty of Islamic Sciences for
International Students (http://www.azharegypt.net)
Al-Azhar Park
Al Azhar (http://www.onazhar.com/)Al-Azhar Supreme Council for
Islamic Affairs (English) (http://www.alazhr.com/)
Al-Azhar Pages (http://www.azharpages.com)
Dar Al Ifta (English)
(http://www.dar-alifta.org/?LangID=2&Home=1) (Al-Azhar for
Islamic Fatw)
Al Azhar-West Dialog Project (English)
(http://alazhar-westdialogproject.blogspot.com)
Educational website for Al-Azhar Institutes (English)
(http://www.alazhar.gov.eg/Default_en.aspx)
Documentary video film on Al-Azhar University in (Arabic)
(http://www.alazhar.gov.eg/alazhar/film.aspx)
History and organization of Al-Azhar
(English)(http://web.archive.org/web/20040701101509/http://www.frcu.eun.eg/www/universities/html/azhar.html)
Islam for Today (http://www.islamfortoday.com/alazhar.htm)
Muslim Heritage
(http://www.muslimheritage.com/topics/default.cfm?articleID=161)
Al-Azhar University rules for international students admission
(Arabic only) (http://www.azhar.edu.eg/)
New Grand Sheikh at Al-Azhar University: Fighting Extremism in A
Suit and Tie
(http://en.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-478/_nr-1026/i.html)
Retrieved from
"http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Al-Azhar_University&oldid=587718676"
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