Ahmed Muhammad Shakir
Ahmed Muhammad Shakir was a prominent Egyptian Imam, jurist, researcher, and writer, recognized as one of the leading figures in the field of Hadith during his era. His expertise earned him the distinguished title of the President of Hadith Scholars of his time. He was also known by the honorific title “Shams al-A’immah,” or “Sun of the Imams,” and he served as a member of the High Court of Sharia.
Birth of Ahmed Muhammad Shakir
Imam Ahmed Muhammad Shakir was born in Cairo, Egypt, on January 29, 1892, corresponding to the 29th of Jumada al-Akhirah in the year 1309 AH. His father, Muhammad Shakir, was a prominent scholar of Al-Azhar at that time, hailing from the “Abu Aliyah” family in Upper Egypt, which traces its lineage back to Al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib.
Early Life of Ahmed Muhammad Shakir
The upbringing of Imam Ahmed took place primarily between Egypt and Sudan. At the age of eight, he moved with his family to Sudan after his father assumed the position of Chief Judge there. In Sudan, Imam Ahmed studied at Gordon College. In 1904, the family returned to Egypt, settling in Alexandria, where he enrolled at the Alexandria Institute.
Academic Journey of Ahmed Muhammad Shakir
Imam Ahmed excelled in various Islamic sciences, particularly in the field of Hadith, primarily due to his studies under eminent scholars and teachers of his time. He studied Usul al-Fiqh under Sheikh Mahmoud Abu Daqiq and read many significant Hadith, jurisprudence, and Tafsir books with his father, including Al-Baghawi’s Tafsir, Sahih Muslim, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, and Fiqh al-Hidayah in Hanafi jurisprudence, among many others. In 1909, he moved to Cairo with his father and enrolled at Al-Azhar University, graduating in 1917.
Teachers of Ahmed Muhammad Shakir
Imam Ahmed received knowledge from several renowned scholars and Hadith experts, including:
- Abdullah ibn Idris al-Sanusi.
- Muhammad Amin al-Shanqiti.
- Ahmed ibn al-Shams al-Shanqiti.
- Shakir al-Iraqi.
- Tahir al-Jazairi.
- Muhammad Rashid Rida.
- Salim al-Bashri.
- Habib Allah al-Shanqiti.
Professional Career of Ahmed Muhammad Shakir
Imam Ahmed dedicated his life to the service of knowledge and Islamic faith. He contributed significantly to enriching Islamic libraries with numerous valuable books and scholarly letters. His efforts primarily focused on reviving and disseminating Arab heritage. His first published work was a critical edition of “Al-Risalah” by Imam Al-Shafi’i, followed by many scholarly works on the Hadith literature, including “Sunan al-Tirmidhi,” “Sahih Ibn Hibban,” and “Sunan Abu Dawood,” which he co-edited alongside Sheikh Muhammad Hamid al-Faqi.
Furthermore, Imam Ahmed placed great emphasis on “Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal,” achieving remarkable success by organizing, numbering, commenting on, and categorizing its Hadith into fifteen volumes.
Publications of Ahmed Muhammad Shakir
Some of the notable works authored by Imam Ahmed include:
- The Book of Divorce System in Islam.
- The Book of The Qur’an and the Sunnah.
- The Book of The Word of Truth.
- The Book of Shari’ah and Language.
Positions Held by Ahmed Muhammad Shakir
After graduating from Al-Azhar, Imam Ahmed was appointed to the عثمان ماهر Institute but left after only four months to pursue a career in Sharia judiciary, where he served as a judge in Sharia courts and later became a member of the High Court. He held this position until 1952 when he retired. Additionally, he served as an editorial supervisor for “Al-Huda al-Nabawi” magazine, where he had a regular column titled “Speak What You Are Commanded.” These articles were later compiled and published as a book called “The Word of Truth.”
Death of Ahmed Muhammad Shakir
Imam Ahmed Muhammad Shakir passed away on June 14, 1958, at the age of 66.