Alsheikh Mahmoud Shaltout (1893 – 1963), one of the enlightened Sheikhs of Al-Azhar, issued on 1961 the law of Al-Azhar reform and the foundation of its first modern colleges, founded the convention of the unification of the Islamic sects, and the basis for the foundation of the convention of the Islamic research.

His life

Alsheikh Mahmoud Shaltout was born near Etay Albaroud, a small town in Al-behera governorate to the north of Cairo. He preserved the Qur'an when he was young, and joined Al-Azhar and took the highest degree 'Al-Alameya', on 1918. He supported the 1919 revolution against the English occupation by his writings, and was in support for the reform movement in Al-azhar. Due to his position he was expelled from Al-Azhar but returned back on 1935. He was appointed, in Al-Azhar as a teacher in high division, then as a teacher in the specialty divisions, then as a deputy of the dean of the faculty of 'Al-sharee'a' (the Islamic law), then a member in the association of the higher 'Ulamaa' (Islamic knowledgeable), and finally he was appointed as the Sheikh of Al-Azhar from 1956 till 1963. He was also a member in the Arabic language convention since 1946.

His Thought

On 1937 Alsheikh Mahmoud Shaltout was chosen as a member in the Egyptian delegation for 'The Hague', Holland conference of comparative international law. In this conference he addressed his research on the civil and criminal responsibility in 'Al-Sharyi'a' (Islamic law) which was received with acceptance and as a consequence 'Al-Sharyi'a' was considered as an independent source of legal systems. He placed keen efforts in order to close the gaps between the different Islamic sects and to unify the Islamic world. Hence he was offered the honorary Ph. D. from four countries.

He authored many books but his rational approach to contemporary Islamic live can be clearly sensed from his book "Islam is a believe and a Shary'a" and from his books of Islamic replies or opinions (Fatwa). In theses books he gave rational and influential religious opinions about a host of critical and controversial matters expressing a positive attitude toward contemporary advancement in life.

His Works

·         Islam is a believe and a Shary'a

·         Fiqh (Islamic knowledge) of Qur'an and Sunna (sayings and acts of the prophet)

·         A comparison between Sects

·         Qur'an and fighting

·         They ask you "a collection of Fatawa (opinions)"