Imam al-Qurṭubī

His Life and Works

His Life

Imam al-Qurṭubī was born in Córdoba, al-Andalus during the reign of the Muwaḥḥid khalīf, Muḥammad al-Nāṣir, by which time, the Muwaḥḥidūn were on a decline. He had a modest upbringing, where he often did manual labour; however, this did not deter him from seeking knowledge.

Imam al-Qurṭubī studied ḥadīth, fiqh, theology, Arabic literature, and grammar under the scholars of Córdoba and became proficient in all these fields.  He followed the Mālikī maḏhhab and the Ashʿarī creed, which was widespread in al-Andalus at the time.

The era in which he lived was filled with turmoil and chaos. He witnessed the fall of Córdoba in the year 633/1236 at the hands of the Christians. He then fled to Egypt in the same year, and it was in Egypt that he resided until his death.  In Egypt, he studied under famous scholars.  

He passed away in the year 671/1273 in modern day El-Minya and is buried there. In 1391/1971, a tomb was erected over his grave. 

His Works

Imam al-Qurṭubī authored a number of works across various disciplines. From amongst his works are:

1. Al-Asnā fī sharḥ asmāʾ Allāh al-Ḥusnā wa ṣifātihī — aqīdah.
2. Kitāb qamʿ al-ḥirṣ bi al-zuhd wa al-qanāʿah — taṣawwuf.
3. Kitab al-tidhkār fī afḍal al-adhkār— adhkār.
4. Kitab al-tadhkirah fī aḥwāl al-mawtā wa umūr al-ākhirah —

Praise of the Author

Scholars have praised the Imam for his piety, vast knowledge, and proficiency in writing.

Ibn Farḥūn (d. 799/1397) said regarding him: