Ibn Arafa

Abu 'Abd Allah Muhammad Al-Warghammi Ibn 'Arafa
Born 716 AH[1]
Died 803 AH[1]
Religion Islam
Denomination Sunni
Jurisprudence Maliki[1]
Creed Ashari

Ibn Arafa, born Mohammed bin Mohammed bin Arafa al-Werghemmi, in 1316 in Tunis and died in 1401 in the same city, was a Tunisian Imam, the most illustrious representative of Maliki Islam to the Hafsid period.[2][3]

From the south-east of Tunisia, his knowledge of law, of grammar, of rhetoric, of mathematics, and medicine enabled him to lead the prestigious Al-Zaytuna Mosque and the University of Ez-Zitouna for several years.

Staunch defender of Maliki Islam, he did not hesitate to come into direct conflict with several Sufi of his time as the esoteric and religious practices he witnessed were beyond the precepts of Islam and the understanding of the faithful. He also had conflicts with Ibn Khaldun whom he suspected had non-religious motives. Khaldun, in turn, accused Ibn Arafa of being jealous of his popularity.

As a theologian, Ibn Arafa was a strict and pure Maliki, and a powerful figure especially in Tunisia. He was also the author of numerous books on law, theology, and logic. Such books are stored at Zaytuna, in Tunisia.

Mausoleum of Ibn Arafa in Djellaz

At his death in 1401, he was buried in Djellaz Cemetery located in the old medina of Tunis which has been preserved as the oldest historical monument of the state.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Lewis, B.; Menage, V.L.; Pellat, Ch.; Schacht, J. (1986) [1st. pub. 1971]. Encyclopaedia of Islam (New Edition). Volume III (H-Iram). Leiden, Netherlands: Brill. p. 712. ISBN 9004081186.
  2. (French) Moncef Ben Salem, « Imam Ibn Arafa (1316-1401) », Tunisian Press, june 9, 2008
  3. Lewis, B.; Menage, V.L.; Pellat, Ch.; Schacht, J. (1986) [1st. pub. 1971]. Encyclopaedia of Islam (New Edition). Volume III (H-Iram). Leiden, Netherlands: Brill. p. 712. ISBN 9004081186.
  4. (French) Presentation of Dar Ibn Arafa (Sites and monuments)
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