# Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti

> Egyptian polymath, historian, sufi and jurist (1445–1505)

**Wikidata**: [Q468432](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q468432)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Suyuti)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jalal-al-din-al-suyuti

## Summary
Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti was an Egyptian polymath, historian, Sufi, and jurist (1445–1505) known for his contributions to Islamic jurisprudence, tafsir (Quranic exegesis), and historical scholarship. He authored foundational works in Usul al-fiqh (Islamic legal methodology) and compiled the *Tafsir al-Jalalayn*, a classical Sunni tafsir completed by his student. His writings shaped Islamic legal thought and preserved historical records, making him a pivotal figure in Islamic scholarship.

## Biography
- Born: 1445 (date uncertain, place Egypt)
- Nationality: Egyptian
- Education: Trained in Islamic sciences, including fiqh, tafsir, and hadith
- Known for: Authoring *Tafsir al-Jalalayn*, *Al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Quran*, and historical works
- Employer(s): No specific employers listed; worked independently as a scholar
- Field(s): Islamic jurisprudence, tafsir, hadith, history, and Sufism

## Contributions
- **Tafsir al-Jalalayn**: Completed the classical Sunni tafsir (1505), building on his teacher Jalal ad-Din al-Maḥalli’s work.
- **Al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Quran**: A comprehensive work on Quranic sciences, preserving and analyzing Islamic exegesis.
- **Al-Khasais-ul-Kubra**: A historical compilation of biographies of Islamic scholars.
- **History of the Caliphs**: A historical work detailing the reigns of early Islamic caliphs.
- **Dur al-Manthur**: A collection of biographies of Islamic scholars, including his own.
- **Tanbih al-Ghabi bi-Tabri'at Ibn 'Arabi**: A defense of Ibn 'Arabi’s Sufi teachings, contributing to Islamic mysticism.

## FAQs
- **What were Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti’s major contributions to Islamic scholarship?**
  He authored *Tafsir al-Jalalayn*, *Al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Quran*, and historical works like *Al-Khasais-ul-Kubra*, shaping Islamic jurisprudence and exegesis.

- **How did Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti influence Islamic jurisprudence?**
  His works on Usul al-fiqh provided foundational principles for deriving Islamic legal rulings, ensuring consistency in fiqh across diverse contexts.

- **What is the significance of *Tafsir al-Jalalayn*?**
  It is a classical Sunni tafsir that systematically interprets the Quran, serving as a key reference for Islamic scholars.

- **Did Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti write on Sufism?**
  Yes, he authored *Tanbih al-Ghabi bi-Tabri'at Ibn 'Arabi*, defending Ibn 'Arabi’s Sufi teachings and contributing to Islamic mysticism.

- **Where can one find Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti’s historical works?**
  His historical compilations, such as *Al-Khasais-ul-Kubra* and *History of the Caliphs*, are available in academic libraries and digital archives.

## Why They Matter
Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti’s works preserved and advanced Islamic legal, historical, and mystical knowledge, ensuring their continuity for future generations. His *Tafsir al-Jalalayn* remains a cornerstone of Sunni exegesis, while his historical compilations provided critical records of Islamic scholars. His contributions to Usul al-fiqh shaped Islamic jurisprudence, influencing legal reasoning and scholarly discourse for centuries. Without his efforts, key aspects of Islamic scholarship would lack foundational texts and methodologies.

## Notable For
- Authored *Tafsir al-Jalalayn*, a seminal Sunni tafsir completed in 1505.
- Compiled *Al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Quran*, a comprehensive work on Quranic sciences.
- Wrote *Al-Khasais-ul-Kubra*, a historical compilation of Islamic scholars’ biographies.
- Defended Ibn 'Arabi’s Sufi teachings in *Tanbih al-Ghabi bi-Tabri'at Ibn 'Arabi*.
- Contributed to Islamic jurisprudence through his works on Usul al-fiqh.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti was born in Egypt in 1445. He received his education in Islamic sciences, including fiqh, tafsir, and hadith, from renowned scholars of his time. His training laid the foundation for his extensive contributions to Islamic scholarship.

### Scholarly Contributions
#### Tafsir and Quranic Sciences
- **Tafsir al-Jalalayn**: Completed in 1505, this tafsir is a systematic interpretation of the Quran, building on his teacher Jalal ad-Din al-Maḥalli’s work. It remains a key reference for Sunni scholars.
- **Al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Quran**: This work provides a comprehensive analysis of Quranic sciences, preserving and interpreting the Quran’s teachings. It is considered a foundational text in Islamic exegesis.

#### Islamic Jurisprudence
- **Usul al-Fiqh**: Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti’s writings on Usul al-fiqh provided methodological principles for deriving Islamic legal rulings. His works ensured consistency in fiqh across diverse contexts.
- **Dur al-Manthur**: A collection of biographies of Islamic scholars, including his own, highlighting his contributions to Islamic intellectual history.

#### Historical and Sufi Works
- **Al-Khasais-ul-Kubra**: A historical compilation of biographies of Islamic scholars, preserving their legacies for future generations.
- **History of the Caliphs**: A detailed account of the reigns of early Islamic caliphs, providing historical context for Islamic governance.
- **Tanbih al-Ghabi bi-Tabri'at Ibn 'Arabi**: A defense of Ibn 'Arabi’s Sufi teachings, contributing to Islamic mysticism and preserving Sufi thought.

### Influence and Legacy
Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti’s works had a profound impact on Islamic scholarship, particularly in the fields of tafsir, fiqh, and history. His *Tafsir al-Jalalayn* remains a cornerstone of Sunni exegesis, while his historical compilations provided critical records of Islamic scholars. His contributions to Usul al-fiqh shaped Islamic jurisprudence, influencing legal reasoning and scholarly discourse for centuries. His legacy continues to be studied and referenced in Islamic institutions worldwide.

## References

1. Dictionary of African Biography
2. Integrated Authority File
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. CiNii Research
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Encyclopædia Britannica
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. IdRef
9. LIBRIS. 2012
10. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/suyuti)
11. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
12. HMML Authority File
13. Digital Scriptorium Catalog
14. Catalogo of the National Library of India