بسم اللّٰهِ الرحمن الرحيم
Hadrat
Imam Suyuti
ٱلْإِمَام ٱلسُّيُوطِي
(Rahimahullah) رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ
19 Jumada al-Ula 911 AH
Abu al-Fadl
Born after Maghrib in 849 AH in Cairo. His father Abu Bakr Kamal al-Din held him in the library during his birth — earning him the nickname 'Ibn al-Kutub' (Son of Books). (849 AH) — Cairo, Egypt
- ◈Began issuing fatwas at a young age, demonstrating extraordinary early scholarly maturity
seerat-imam-suyuti — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈In 872 AH began teaching Hadith at Jami' Tuluni, reviving the discipline after a twenty-year lapse following Hadrat Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (rahimahullah)
seerat-imam-suyuti — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈In 877 AH appointed as head Hadith expert of Madrassa Shaykhuniyyah
seerat-imam-suyuti — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Began writing books at the age of 17 — authored approximately 600 books across the Islamic sciences
seerat-imam-suyuti — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Declared Mujaddid of the 9th Hijri century by Hadrat Ali al-Qari (rahimahullah), Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (rahimahullah), and Hadrat Abd al-Hayy al-Laknawi (rahimahullah)
seerat-imam-suyuti — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈When persecuted by rivals, he endured with patience and never retaliated — a lifelong hallmark of his noble character
seerat-imam-suyuti — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Born in a library — his father Abu Bakr Kamal al-Din was in his library when he was born, giving him the celebrated nickname 'Ibn al-Kutub' (Son of Books)
Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti al-Shafi'i, p.4 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Memorised the Quran by the age of seven, and by the age of 27 had received ijazah (certification) in the Islamic sciences. Travelled to Syria, Arabia, Yemen, Morocco, and India in pursuit of knowledge.
Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti al-Shafi'i, p.5 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Memorised 200,000 Ahadith — so many that he said: 'If I could find more, I would memorise more.' After drinking Zamzam water he made du'a to Allah for the rank of Siraj al-Din al-Bulqini in issuing fatwas and of Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Hadith — du'as that were abundantly answered.
Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti al-Shafi'i, p.6 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Mastered seven Islamic sciences simultaneously — Tafseer, Hadith, Fiqh, Usool, Arabic, Rhetoric, and Debate — a feat acknowledged by the scholars of his era
Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti al-Shafi'i, p.7 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈According to Hadrat Abd al-Wahhab al-Sha'rani (rahimahullah), Imam al-Suyuti (rahimahullah) was 'the most knowledgeable person of his era in the science of Hadith' — a testimony from one of the greatest scholars of his time
Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti al-Shafi'i, p.7 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Had 600 scholars who gave him ijazah (scholarly certificates), and 150 specialist shaykhs from whom he directly received knowledge — one of the most extensively certified scholars in Islamic history
Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti al-Shafi'i, p.8 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Was granted the miracle of travelling from Egypt to Makkah al-Mukarramah in just 27 steps — a manifest karaamat granted to him by Allah Almighty
Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti al-Shafi'i, p.3 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈Was granted the extraordinary spiritual honour of beholding the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in a fully waking state 75 times throughout his life
Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti al-Shafi'i, p.11 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ◈After Fajr Salah every morning, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would appear to him and he would present the matters of his community — consulting the Beloved Prophet daily in a waking state
Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti al-Shafi'i, p.11 — Maktaba tul Madina
Began issuing fatwas at a young age
His early mastery of Islamic jurisprudence enabled him to issue formal legal opinions while still a young scholar
Started writing books at the age of 17
Embarked on a prolific literary career that would eventually produce approximately 600 books across the Islamic sciences
872 AH: Began teaching Hadith at Jami' Tuluni
Revived the formal teaching of Hadith at Jami' Tuluni after a gap of approximately twenty years — the last to have taught there being the great Hadith master Hadrat Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (rahimahullah)
877 AH: Appointed head Hadith expert of Madrassa Shaykhuniyyah
His appointment as the chief Hadith authority of one of Cairo's most prestigious institutions confirmed his standing as the foremost Hadith scholar of his era
Refused a royal gift of 1,000 gold coins from the Sultan
Returned all 1,000 gold coins sent by the Sultan. He also freed the slave that had been sent with the gift and appointed the freed slave as a caretaker at the blessed grave of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
Declared Mujaddid of the 9th Hijri century by leading scholars
His recognition as Mujaddid was formally stated by Hadrat Ali al-Qari (rahimahullah), Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (rahimahullah), and Hadrat Abd al-Hayy al-Laknawi (rahimahullah)
Born in his father's library — named 'Ibn al-Kutub' (Son of Books)
His father Abu Bakr Kamal al-Din was in his library at the time of his birth. Scholars later remarked on the symbolism — he was born amidst books, and books became the work of his entire life.
Father Abu Bakr Kamal al-Din declined appointment as Grand Mufti — passed away as a martyr on 5th Safar 855 AH
His father was a man of exceptional piety who declined the highest scholarly appointment in the land. He passed away of pneumonia, which the scholars considered a form of martyrdom.
As a three-year-old child, his father took him to the great Hadith scholars Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani and Shaykh Muhammad for supplication
His father presented the infant Suyuti to the greatest scholars of his era for their blessed du'a — a formative spiritual beginning whose blessings manifested throughout his life.
Was miraculously transported from Egypt to Makkah al-Mukarramah in 27 steps
Among the most celebrated of his documented karamaat — he covered the distance between Egypt and the blessed city of Makkah in just twenty-seven steps, a miracle attested in reliable sources.
Received glad tidings of Paradise directly from the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in wakefulness
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) appeared to him and said: 'O Shaykh al-Hadith! Yes, without punishment.' This was recorded and widely attested among the scholars.
Blessed with the sight of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) 75 times in wakefulness — and daily after Fajr
He would see the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in a waking state throughout his life — 75 times in total — and would present the concerns of the Muslim community to him every morning after Fajr Salah.
Began issuing fatwas at a young age
His early mastery of Islamic jurisprudence enabled him to issue formal legal opinions while still a young scholar
Started writing books at the age of 17
Embarked on a prolific literary career that would eventually produce approximately 600 books across the Islamic sciences
872 AH: Began teaching Hadith at Jami' Tuluni
Revived the formal teaching of Hadith at Jami' Tuluni after a gap of approximately twenty years — the last to have taught there being the great Hadith master Hadrat Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (rahimahullah)
877 AH: Appointed head Hadith expert of Madrassa Shaykhuniyyah
His appointment as the chief Hadith authority of one of Cairo's most prestigious institutions confirmed his standing as the foremost Hadith scholar of his era
Refused a royal gift of 1,000 gold coins from the Sultan
Returned all 1,000 gold coins sent by the Sultan. He also freed the slave that had been sent with the gift and appointed the freed slave as a caretaker at the blessed grave of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
Declared Mujaddid of the 9th Hijri century by leading scholars
His recognition as Mujaddid was formally stated by Hadrat Ali al-Qari (rahimahullah), Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (rahimahullah), and Hadrat Abd al-Hayy al-Laknawi (rahimahullah)
Born in his father's library — named 'Ibn al-Kutub' (Son of Books)
His father Abu Bakr Kamal al-Din was in his library at the time of his birth. Scholars later remarked on the symbolism — he was born amidst books, and books became the work of his entire life.
Father Abu Bakr Kamal al-Din declined appointment as Grand Mufti — passed away as a martyr on 5th Safar 855 AH
His father was a man of exceptional piety who declined the highest scholarly appointment in the land. He passed away of pneumonia, which the scholars considered a form of martyrdom.
As a three-year-old child, his father took him to the great Hadith scholars Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani and Shaykh Muhammad for supplication
His father presented the infant Suyuti to the greatest scholars of his era for their blessed du'a — a formative spiritual beginning whose blessings manifested throughout his life.
Was miraculously transported from Egypt to Makkah al-Mukarramah in 27 steps
Among the most celebrated of his documented karamaat — he covered the distance between Egypt and the blessed city of Makkah in just twenty-seven steps, a miracle attested in reliable sources.
Received glad tidings of Paradise directly from the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in wakefulness
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) appeared to him and said: 'O Shaykh al-Hadith! Yes, without punishment.' This was recorded and widely attested among the scholars.
Blessed with the sight of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) 75 times in wakefulness — and daily after Fajr
He would see the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in a waking state throughout his life — 75 times in total — and would present the concerns of the Muslim community to him every morning after Fajr Salah.
Began issuing fatwas at a young age
His early mastery of Islamic jurisprudence enabled him to issue formal legal opinions while still a young scholar
Started writing books at the age of 17
Embarked on a prolific literary career that would eventually produce approximately 600 books across the Islamic sciences
872 AH: Began teaching Hadith at Jami' Tuluni
Revived the formal teaching of Hadith at Jami' Tuluni after a gap of approximately twenty years — the last to have taught there being the great Hadith master Hadrat Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (rahimahullah)
877 AH: Appointed head Hadith expert of Madrassa Shaykhuniyyah
His appointment as the chief Hadith authority of one of Cairo's most prestigious institutions confirmed his standing as the foremost Hadith scholar of his era
Refused a royal gift of 1,000 gold coins from the Sultan
Returned all 1,000 gold coins sent by the Sultan. He also freed the slave that had been sent with the gift and appointed the freed slave as a caretaker at the blessed grave of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
Declared Mujaddid of the 9th Hijri century by leading scholars
His recognition as Mujaddid was formally stated by Hadrat Ali al-Qari (rahimahullah), Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (rahimahullah), and Hadrat Abd al-Hayy al-Laknawi (rahimahullah)
Born in his father's library — named 'Ibn al-Kutub' (Son of Books)
His father Abu Bakr Kamal al-Din was in his library at the time of his birth. Scholars later remarked on the symbolism — he was born amidst books, and books became the work of his entire life.
Father Abu Bakr Kamal al-Din declined appointment as Grand Mufti — passed away as a martyr on 5th Safar 855 AH
His father was a man of exceptional piety who declined the highest scholarly appointment in the land. He passed away of pneumonia, which the scholars considered a form of martyrdom.
As a three-year-old child, his father took him to the great Hadith scholars Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani and Shaykh Muhammad for supplication
His father presented the infant Suyuti to the greatest scholars of his era for their blessed du'a — a formative spiritual beginning whose blessings manifested throughout his life.
Was miraculously transported from Egypt to Makkah al-Mukarramah in 27 steps
Among the most celebrated of his documented karamaat — he covered the distance between Egypt and the blessed city of Makkah in just twenty-seven steps, a miracle attested in reliable sources.
Received glad tidings of Paradise directly from the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in wakefulness
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) appeared to him and said: 'O Shaykh al-Hadith! Yes, without punishment.' This was recorded and widely attested among the scholars.
Blessed with the sight of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) 75 times in wakefulness — and daily after Fajr
He would see the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in a waking state throughout his life — 75 times in total — and would present the concerns of the Muslim community to him every morning after Fajr Salah.
- ♥Throughout his life, endured persecution by rivals with complete patience and forbearance, never retaliating against those who wronged him
seerat-imam-suyuti — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥When Sultan sent 1,000 gold coins as a gift, he returned them entirely — and freed the slave that accompanied the gift, appointing the freed slave as caretaker at the Prophet's grave (peace and blessings be upon him)
seerat-imam-suyuti — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥At the time of his passing, he forgave all who had wronged him personally — but withheld forgiveness for those who had 'tainted the honour of other scholars', demonstrating his zeal for guarding the dignity of Islamic knowledge
seerat-imam-suyuti — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Suffered immense personal grief during his lifetime — most of his brothers and children passed away before him — yet he remained steadfast in his service to Islamic scholarship
seerat-imam-suyuti — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Performed Tahajjud Salah throughout his life without interruption — he would become ill if he missed it even for one night, such was the degree to which night prayer had become part of his spiritual constitution
Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti al-Shafi'i, p.8 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Received the glad tidings of Paradise from the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) directly in a waking state. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: 'O Shaykh al-Hadith! Yes, without punishment.' — This was later published in books and widely attested.
Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti al-Shafi'i, p.9 — Maktaba tul Madina
- ♥Took Bay'ah (spiritual allegiance) at the hand of Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Umar al-Shadhili (rahimahullah) — connecting him to the Shadhili spiritual order
Imam Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti al-Shafi'i, p.6 — Maktaba tul Madina
A comprehensive encyclopedia of the Quranic sciences — one of the most celebrated works in the field
Co-authored with his teacher Imam Jalal al-Din al-Mahalli (rahimahullah) — one of the most widely read classical Quran commentaries in the Islamic world
A voluminous Hadith-based Tafseer of the Holy Quran — another of his landmark contributions to the Quranic sciences
Abu Bakr Kamal al-Din (rahimahullah) — a pious scholar who declined the position of Grand Mufti. Passed away of pneumonia (considered a form of martyrdom) on 5th Safar 855 AH
Most of his brothers and children passed away during his lifetime, a grief he bore with patience throughout his scholarly career
Friday, 19th Jumada al-Ula, 911 AH (17 October 1505 CE)
Near Bab Qarafa, Cairo
“At his passing he forgave all who had wronged him personally — but not those who had tainted the honour of other scholars”
seerat-imam-suyuti — Maktaba tul Madina
- 🌟Hadrat Imam al-Suyuti (rahimahullah) started writing books when he was only 17 years old!
- 🌟He wrote approximately 600 books — that's an enormous library from just one scholar!
- 🌟He was so dedicated that he brought back Hadith classes at a famous mosque after they had stopped for 20 years!
- 🌟When a Sultan sent him 1,000 gold coins, he sent them all back — he didn't want the world's riches, only Allah's pleasure!
- 🌟Great scholars across history named him the Mujaddid — the Reviver — of his century!
- 🌟He memorised 200,000 Ahadith — that's 200,000 sayings of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)!
- 🌟He was born in a library — so his nickname was 'Ibn al-Kutub' which means 'Son of Books'!
- 🌟Allah Almighty gave him the amazing miracle of travelling from Egypt all the way to Makkah in just 27 steps!
- 🌟He saw the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with his own eyes, while wide awake, 75 times throughout his life — and every morning after Fajr!
