Sheikh Mustafa Abdel-Razeq: eminent Muslim scholar and thinker

Egypt, People, 2/15/2000

Sheikh Mustafa Abdel-Razeq is a prominent Muslim scholar and thinker who made significant contributions to Islamic studies. His major field of study was Islamic philosophy.

Origin:
Sheikh Abdel-Razeq was born in an Upper Egyptian village called Abu Gerg, to a family whose members were mostly judges. The family's prestigious social position was further reflected in their house in Cairo, which almost looked like a cultural and intellectual forum. It was the hub of students of Al-Azhar, law colleges and others interested in public matters, in addition to students of European universities.

After completing his studies at the village's Kuttab (Quranic school), where he learned reading and writing and committed the Holy Quran to memory, he joined Al-Azhar at the age of six. His teacher at Al-Azhar was the eminent scholar (Imam) Mohammed Abdou, with whom he developed a genuine friendship based on mutual respect.

After obtaining the "Alamia" degree ( equivalent to BA) in July 1908, he obtained a Ph.D. for a thesis entitled "Imam Al-Shafie: the most prominent legislator in Islam".

Career:

1908 Teacher at the School of Shari'a Judicature.

1909 Lecturer at the Sorbonne and Leon universities France.

1915 Member of Al-Azhar Supreme Council.

1920 Judge at Shari'a Courts.

Wrote articles in to "Al- Gareeda" and "Al-Sofor" newspapers calling for progressive ideas consistent with the Arab and Islamic heritage.

1927 Assistant professor of Islamic philosophy at the Faculty of Arts, Fouad I University (now Cairo University).

1935 Chair professor of philosophy. According to him, Education is a two-way interactive communication process between the professor and his students.

1930-1945 The first Azhari to assume the post of Minister of Endowments for eight times.

Two years before his death, he was appointed Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar.

Writings:

He was the first to introduce Islamic philosophy as part of the university syllabus and taught it at the Faculty of Arts, Fouad I University.

Translated into French, with writer Bernard Michael "The Message of Monotheism" by Imam Mohammed Abdou.

Co-authorized, with the same writer, two books on Imam Mohammed Abdou.

Wrote "An Introduction to the History of Islamic Philosophy".

Wrote "Al-Farabi, Arabs' Philosopher and second Instructor".

He was the first to shed light on the significant contributions of earlier Muslim scholars such as Al-Bahaa Zahair, Fakhr- Eddin Al-Razi, and Al-Farabi among others.

Sheikh Mustafa Abdel-Razeq believed that the emergency of an Islamic culture and revival of the nation could be achieved only through openness to new ideas and thought, while still maintaining contact with tradition. He warned against attempts to distract our Islamic heritage, calling for publishing those works that had remained, thitherto, unpublished.