Izz al-Din ibn Abd al-Salam, Sultan of Scholars

  Izz al-Din ibn Abd al-Salam al-Sulami al-Dimashqi was a prominent and active scholar renowned for his courage and outspokenness in upholding the truth. He was also a polymath, excelling in various fields such as Tafsir (Quranic exegesis) and Quranic sciences, Hadith, Islamic theology (Aqidah), Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and its principles, the Prophet's biography (Sirah Nabawiyyah), Arabic grammar and rhetoric, and spiritual conduct (Suluk) and states of the heart.

He authored beneficial works that attest to his stature as a Rabbani scholar (a divine scholar who educates people with wisdom and divine knowledge) and one of the extraordinary individuals chosen by Allah to revive the jurisprudence of Islamic law. Among his greatest contributions to the objectives and rules of Sharia is his widely acclaimed book: Qawa'id al-Ahkam (The Foundations of Legal Rulings).

Sheikh  Izz al-Din ibn Abd al-Salam was of Moroccan origin, born in Syria, and lived and passed away in Egypt.

His Name and Titles

He was Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd al-Salam ibn Abi al-Qasim ibn al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn Muhadhdhab al-Sulami, born in Damascus, later residing and dying in Egypt, and adhering to the Shafi'i school of thought. His kunya (patronymic appellation) was Abu Muhammad. He was given several titles: his given title was Izz al-Din, and his scholarly and religious titles included Imam al-Izz and Sheikh al-Islam. His student, Ibn Daqiq al-Eid, famously dubbed him "Sultan of Scholars", a title he became widely known by due to his boldness in speaking the truth, his strong resolve, the clarity of his articulation, and his profound scholarly stature.

His Birth and Upbringing

Izz al-Din (whose Moroccan ancestry traces back to one of his ancestors who settled in Sham from Morocco) was born in Damascus in the year 577 AH. His father was extremely poor, and Izz al-Din used to assist him in arduous tasks like repairing roads and carrying luggage.

After his father's passing, the young boy began working to clean the mosque and guard the shoes of worshippers left at the entrance. He was allowed to sleep in a corner on the marble floor. While performing his strenuous and tiring duties, the child would overhear the discussions of scholars in the study circles held at the mosque. He yearned and hoped to be one of the beneficiaries, sometimes even sitting in, but he was always dismissed, hearing nothing but reprimands when he approached.

One evening, Fakhr ibn Asakir, a scholar who conducted a study circle at the mosque, saw him crying. He asked him why he was weeping, and the boy recounted his story. The Sheikh then promised to begin his journey of seeking knowledge the very next day.

Ascending the Ladder of Glory Through Knowledge

The Sheikh took him to an office attached to the mosque and instructed that he learn reading, writing, and calligraphy, and memorize the Quran. The Sheikh also pledged to cover the boy's expenses.

Izz al-Din eagerly embraced his studies, memorized the Quran, and mastered reading, writing, and beautiful calligraphy, making up for the years of schooling he had missed. Every time he met his Sheikh at the mosque entrance, the Sheikh would inquire about his progress, and the boy would recite what he had memorized from the Quran and show him the noble verses he had written on his tablet.

Sheikh Ibn Asakir was impressed by the signs of brilliance and intelligence that Izz al-Din exhibited. Years passed, and Sheikh Fakhr al-Din ibn Asakir was assured that the boy had mastered the memorization and recitation of the Quran, and had become proficient in reading and writing with beautiful script. The Sheikh then gave him the good news that he would include him among the students attending his circle on Shafi'i Fiqh, and provided him with funds to buy suitable clothes for attending scholarly gatherings.

The Sheikh included him in his circle and arranged for him to attend other circles on language and its literature, Hadith, and the principles of Fiqh. He advised him to master linguistic sciences like grammar and morphology, and to memorize and study poetry to better understand the texts of the Quran.

Izz al-Din remained devoted to his Sheikh Ibn Asakir, tirelessly pursuing knowledge day and night. He continued in this state until he became one of the leading scholars in the Shafi'i school. He then dedicated himself to studying Hadith and other sciences. Afterwards, he traveled to Baghdad, returning to Damascus as a profound and eminent scholar in various Islamic sciences.

Izz al-Din as a Preacher at the Umayyad Mosque

When the preacher of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, "Al-Khatib al-Dawla'i," passed away,  Izz al-Din ibn Abd al-Salam took his place as a preacher and teacher, having been appointed by the governor of Damascus as the Imam of the Grand Umayyad Mosque. However, Izz al-Din stipulated that he be given a free hand in matters of reform, and the governor agreed. The Imam then took up the positions of issuing fatwas, judging, and preaching.

Izz al-Din (may Allah have mercy on him) was an eloquent preacher who deeply influenced his listeners with the sincerity of his emotions, the abundance of his knowledge, the fluidity of his style, and the clarity of his ideas. He was known for never remaining silent about error and for speaking the truth without fearing the blame of any critic for the sake of Allah. His stances often caused him much discomfort, but he paid them no mind, as he viewed them as part of his mission and duty as a scholar.

Speaking Truth and Confronting Falsehood

Sheikh  Izz al-Din ibn Abd al-Salam's life was a continuous series of speaking the truth, steadfastness in religion, confronting falsehood, enjoining good, and forbidding evil. This made the Sheikh's life intertwined with constant trials, tribulations, and threats. Despite this, he did not compromise, flatter, or retreat; rather, he remained steadfast until his death, thereby earning the title "Sultan of Scholars."

His Stance with King Al-Salih Ismail Al-Ayyubi

Al-Salih Ismail al-Ayyubi, the ruler of Damascus, allied with the Crusaders to fight his brother, Najm al-Din Ayyub, the ruler of Egypt. Among the conditions of this alliance were that he would give them the cities of Sidon and Shaqif Castle, and some other towns, allow them to purchase weapons from Damascus, and join them with a unified army to invade Egypt.

Izz al-Din (may Allah have mercy on him) issued a fatwa to the merchants of Damascus stating that selling weapons to the Crusaders was impermissible, as those who sold them weapons knew that they would aim these weapons at the hearts of Muslims.

He then stood on his pulpit during the Friday sermon and denounced Al-Salih Ismail's alliance with the Crusaders. He ceased supplicating for him in the sermon, as he had habitually done, and concluded the sermon by saying: "O Allah, bring about a righteous matter for this Ummah, by which You honor Your ally and humiliate Your enemy, and by which good is enjoined and evil is forbidden." Then he descended.

King Al-Salih Ismail became intensely angry and ordered his removal from preaching and his imprisonment. After much turmoil and public unrest, he was released from prison but -forbidden from preaching thereafter. Consequently, Izz al-Din decided to emigrate to Egypt, accompanied by Abu Amr ibn al-Hajib, the Sheikh of the Maliki school.

His Arrival in Egypt

 Izz al-Din ibn Abd al-Salam arrived in Egypt in 639 AH, his scholarly reputation and great stances preceding him. Its sultan, Najm al-Din Ayyub, welcomed and honored him, appointing him as the preacher of the Mosque of Amr ibn al-Aas and entrusting him with the judiciary in Egypt. The scholars of Egypt gathered around him, recognized his worth, and showed him immense respect. The esteemed Egyptian scholar Sheikh Zaki al-Din al-Mundhiri even refrained from issuing fatwas in his presence out of respect for him and appreciation for his knowledge.

The Seller of Kings

One of the first things Izz al-Din noticed upon assuming the judiciary was the Mamluk Emirs. He observed that they were still subject to the ruling of slavery concerning the Muslim treasury. When this reached them, the matter became grave and intense. He refused to approve any sale or purchase for them because they were not free, and therefore their authority was not valid, nor were their actions acceptable unless they were emancipated. When he informed them of this, they conspired against him and complained to King Al-Salih, who was displeased with Izz al-Din's fatwa. He ordered him to retract his fatwa, but Izz al-Din did not comply; instead, he told the King not to interfere in judicial matters, as it was not within the Sultan's purview. His rejection of the Sultan's interference in the judiciary led him to pack his belongings, place them on his donkey, and declare: "Was not Allah's earth vast enough for you to emigrate therein?" referring to the Quranic verse.

It is narrated that the people of Egypt gathered around him, and scholars and righteous individuals prepared to depart with him. King Al-Salih came out to appease him and asked him to return and implement the ruling of the Sharia. Izz al-Din suggested to the Mamluk Emirs that a session be held where they would be "sold" to the Muslim treasury. When one of his sons advised him not to provoke the Emirs, fearing their wrath and their resolve to kill him, he replied: "Is your father less worthy of being killed in the path of Allah?"

Allah protected him, and they submitted to his will. What he desired was accomplished; he called out the names of the Emirs one by one, set a high price for them, collected the money, and spent it on charitable causes.

His Death

The Sultan of Scholars passed away shortly before Saturday afternoon, on the ninth of Jumada al-Ula in the year 660 AH, at the age of approximately 83 years, at the Salihia School in Cairo. He was buried the following day in al-Qarafa, at the foot of Mount Muqattam. His funeral was attended by the King of Egypt and Syria, Al-Zahir Baybars, and his soldiers, as well as a great multitude of people.

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Source: Islamweb