10 Most Influential Arab Lawyers and Scholars

Published in

Heritage Digest

12 min readDec 12, 2023

The Arab world has produced many distinguished legal minds whose contributions have shaped regional and global jurisprudence. In this article, we explore ten of the most influential Arab lawyers who have left an indelible mark on the field of law. These figures, known for their wisdom, expertise, and dedication, have played pivotal roles in the evolution of legal thought and practice.

Taha Hussein (1889–1973)
Abd El-Razzak El-Sanhuri (1895–1971)
Qadi Abd al-Wahhab (973–1031)
Naguib Mahfouz (1911–2006)
Muhammad Rashid Rida (1865–1935)
Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi’i (767 CE–820 CE)
Anwar el-Sadat (1918–1981)
Khaled Abou El Fadl (1963-present)
Amr Moussa (1936-present)
Huda Sha’arawi (1879–1947)

1. Taha Hussein (1889–1973)

Taha Hussein, born November 15, 1889, in Izbet el Kilo, Egypt, overcame adversity early on. Blind since childhood due to improper medical treatment, he didn’t let his disability hinder his quest for education. His parents, of a lower middle-class background, supported his early studies at El Azhar University, where he initially pursued religious and Arabic literature.

Hussein’s educational journey was remarkable. He was among the early students at Cairo University despite his financial constraints and blindness. Earning a Ph.D. in 1914, he furthered his studies in France, gaining another Ph.D. from the Sorbonne in 1917. His marriage to Suzanne Bresseau, who assisted him in his studies, was a notable part of his life in France.

Hussein’s legacy extends beyond academia into political and cultural realms. A pivotal figure in the Egyptian Renaissance, he served as Minister of Education, advocating for free and universal education. His literary critiques, especially on pre-Islamic poetry, sparked controversy but underscored his intellectual bravery. His death on October 28, 1973, marked the end of a life devoted to education, culture, and national identity.

2. Abd El-Razzak El-Sanhuri (1895–1971)

Abd el-Razzak el-Sanhuri, born on August 11, 1895, in Alexandria, Egypt, faced early hardships. His father, a modest employee at the Alexandria Municipal Council, passed away in 1900, deepening the family’s financial struggles. Despite these challenges, el-Sanhuri excelled academically, obtaining his law degree from Cairo University in 1917 and furthering his studies in Lyon, France, to obtain a doctorate.

El-Sanhuri’s career was marked by significant legal contributions. In the 1930s, he served as the dean of the Baghdad School of Law and was instrumental in drafting the Iraqi Civil Code. He returned to Egypt to co-author the first draft of the Egyptian Civil Code, completed in 1942. His expertise extended to assisting with legal reforms in several Arab countries, showcasing his commitment to modernizing and unifying Arab legal systems.

El-Sanhuri’s legacy in the legal field is profound. As the primary author of the Egyptian Civil Code of 1948, he shaped modern Arab jurisprudence. His method of integrating Islamic law with European legal principles is a testament to his innovative and inclusive approach to legal reform. El-Sanhuri passed away on July 21, 1971, leaving behind a lasting impact on the legal landscape of the Arab world.

3. Qadi Abd al-Wahhab (973–1031)

Qadi ‘Abd al-Wahhab, born in Baghdad in 973 CE, grew up during a tumultuous period in Abbasid history, with the Shiite Buyid Dynasty dominating the political scene. Despite these challenges, he received a thorough education in Sunni Maliki jurisprudence, studying under prominent scholars such as Al-Abhari, Ibn al-Jallab, and the Ash’ari theologian al-Baqillani. His early life in Baghdad was marked by scholarly pursuit amidst political instability.

As a jurist in the Maliki school, Qadi ‘Abd al-Wahhab made significant contributions to Islamic law, particularly through his work ‘at-Talqin’ on Maliki fiqh. This text remains influential in the study of the Maliki madhab, particularly for its detailed recording of the Iraqi school’s positions. His role as a judge in Abbasid Siirt and Badra and his deep knowledge of Arabic literature and poetry further distinguished his career.

The latter part of Qadi ‘Abd al-Wahhab’s life was characterized by hardship and relocation. Facing poverty in Baghdad, he left his hometown, eventually settling in Egypt. There, his fortunes improved, and he was revered as a scholar. His death in 1031, allegedly from food poisoning, marked the end of a life dedicated to jurisprudence and learning. He was buried in Cairo’s Qarafa cemetery, leaving a legacy as a pivotal figure in the Maliki law school.

4. Naguib Mahfouz (1911–2006)

Naguib Mahfouz, born on December 11, 1911, in Cairo, grew up in a lower-middle-class Muslim Egyptian family. His father, Abdel-Aziz Ibrahim, was a civil servant, and Mahfouz later followed in his professional footsteps. His mother, Fatimah, was the daughter of an Al-Azhar sheikh. Despite her illiteracy, she fostered Mahfouz’s early cultural explorations. The Egyptian Revolution 1919 profoundly impacted him, shaping his political and social perspectives from a young age.

Mahfouz’s education played a pivotal role in his intellectual development. He graduated from Cairo University in 1934 with a degree in philosophy, initially pursuing an MA before focusing on his writing career. His exposure to various writers during his formative years, including Hafiz Najib and Taha Hussein, influenced his literary style. Mahfouz’s career as a writer began in the 1930s, publishing in various magazines and newspapers.

Mahfouz’s civil service career paralleled his writing. After graduating, he joined the Egyptian civil service, working in various capacities until his retirement in 1971. His roles included a clerkship at Cairo University and positions within the Ministry of Islamic Endowments and the Ministry of Culture. This background in civil service and governance provided a unique lens through which he viewed and portrayed societal changes in Egypt. His contributions as a writer, particularly his exploration of political and social themes, earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988, making him the only Egyptian laureate in this category. Mahfouz passed away on August 30, 2006, leaving a legacy as a leading figure in modern Arabic literature.

5. Muhammad Rashid Rida (1865–1935)

Muhammad Rashid Riḍā, born in 1865 in al-Qalamoun, Beirut Vilayet (now in Lebanon), came from a Sunni Shafi’i clerical family. His family, notable scholars, and caretakers of the al-Qalamoun mosque, subsisted on earnings from their olive tree holdings and scholarly work. His father, an Imam, significantly influenced Riḍā’s early religious upbringing. Riḍā’s traditional religious education began in a local kuttab in Qalamūn, followed by studies at the National Islamic School under Shaykh Ḥusayn al-Jisr, where he learned hadith and fiqh.

Riḍā’s move to Cairo to work with Muhammad Abduh marked a pivotal turn in his career, deeply influencing his Islamic Modernist views. He started the influential periodical al-Manar in 1898, establishing himself as a leading Sunni jurist and an Arab Salafi movement figure. His association with Abduh steered him towards Salafi-oriented methodologies and a shift from rationalism to a more conservative scripturalist approach. Riḍā’s embrace of Salafism was marked by his revival of works by Ibn Taymiyyah and his opposition to liberalism, Western ideas, and European imperialism.

His later life saw Riḍā’s increasing advocacy for the revival of a global Islamic caliphate, challenging the rise of secularism and nationalism. He also contributed significantly to legal and theological discourse, particularly advocating for the “Islamization of modernity.” Riḍā passed away in 1935, leaving a legacy as a key figure in the early 20th-century Islamic Renaissance and the shaping of modern Salafism. His works and ideologies profoundly influenced Islamic scholarship and politics, contributing to the foundations of modern Islamist thought.

6. Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi‘i (767 CE–820 CE)

Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi‘i, a significant figure in Islamic jurisprudence, was born in 767 CE in Palestine, near Asqalan. His father passed away early in his life, leading his mother to relocate them to Mecca for better familial support, given their impoverished state. Despite these hardships, al-Shafi‘i’s prodigious intellect shone through. By age ten, he had memorized the Quran and Imam Malik’s Muwatta’. Recognized for his scholarly potential, he was authorized to issue fatwas at just fifteen.

Al-Shafi‘i’s pursuit of knowledge led him to Medina, where he studied under the renowned Imam Malik. His brilliance and comprehension of Islamic law impressed Malik and others. Despite later differences in legal opinions with Malik, al-Shafi‘i always showed deep respect, referring to him as “the Teacher.” Around 795 CE, al-Shafi‘i’s reputation as a jurist had solidified. His appointment as the governor of Najran in Yemen marked his entry into administrative roles. However, his involvement in a political controversy led to his summoning to the Caliph Harun ar-Rashid. He was acquitted of charges, thanks partly to his legal expertise and the intervention of the Hanafi jurist Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Shaybani.

Al-Shafi‘i’s next scholarship phase began in Baghdad, studying under al-Shaybānī and absorbing Hanafi methodologies. This experience significantly influenced his legal thinking, forming his own madh’hab, the Shafi’i school of Islamic jurisprudence. His debates with Hanafi jurists in Baghdad and subsequent lectures in Mecca helped refine his legal theories. His final years in Egypt were pivotal, as he dictated his seminal works, which his students rigorously documented. Al-Shafi‘i passed away in 820 CE in Egypt, leaving a profound impact on Islamic law. His contributions to Usul al-fiqh and establishing the Shafi’i madh’hab are monumental, marking him as a key architect of Islamic jurisprudence.

7. Anwar el-Sadat (1918–1981)

Anwar el-Sadat, born on December 25, 1918, in Mit Abu El Kom, Monufia Governorate, Egypt, hailed from a modest background. His family struggled with financial constraints, his father being an Upper Egyptian and his mother of Sudanese-Egyptian descent. These humble beginnings did not deter Sadat’s ambitions. His education at the Royal Military Academy in Cairo set the stage for his future military and political career. After graduating in 1938, Sadat joined the Signal Corps, beginning a journey that would lead him to the heart of Egyptian politics.

Sadat’s early career in the military was marked by his involvement in various political movements, including the Muslim Brotherhood and the Free Officers Movement. His participation in the 1952 revolution that overthrew King Farouk catapulted him into politics. Working closely with Gamal Abdel Nasser, Sadat held several key positions, including Vice President. His political acumen became evident as he navigated through various roles, ultimately succeeding Nasser as Egypt’s President in 1970.

Sadat’s presidency, from 1970 until his assassination in 1981, was transformative for Egypt. He diverged from Nasser’s policies, introducing economic and political reforms and steering Egypt towards peace with Israel. The 1978 peace treaty, facilitated by US President Jimmy Carter and resulting in the return of Sinai to Egypt, earned Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin the Nobel Peace Prize. However, this move also alienated many in the Arab world and within Egypt, leading to his tragic assassination during a military parade on October 6, 1981. Sadat’s legacy as a peacemaker and a bold leader remains significant in Egyptian and Middle Eastern history.

8. Khaled Abou El Fadl (1963-present)

Khaled Abou El Fadl, born on October 23, 1963, has established himself as a distinguished scholar in Islamic jurisprudence and human rights. His upbringing and educational background played a crucial role in shaping his perspectives and contributions. Educated at prestigious institutions like Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and Princeton University, Abou El Fadl’s academic journey was extensive and interdisciplinary, including a deep dive into Islamic law. His legal education was complemented by 13 years of instruction in Islamic jurisprudence in Egypt and Kuwait, enriching his understanding of Western and Islamic legal systems.

Abou El Fadl’s contributions as a legal scholar are significant and varied. He has held esteemed positions, such as the Omar and Azmeralda Alfi Distinguished Professor of Law at UCLA School of Law. He has influenced thought in International Human Rights, Islamic Jurisprudence, and Law and Terrorism. His work extends beyond academia into practical law, having practiced immigration and investment law in the U.S. and the Middle East. His role as the founder of the Usuli Institute highlights his commitment to promoting humanistic interpretations of Islam, furthering his impact on Islamic legal thought.

Abou El Fadl’s views and writings offer a critical perspective on contemporary Islamic law and ethics. He advocates for ethical humanism within Islam, challenging puritanical interpretations and promoting religious and cultural pluralism, democratic values, and women’s rights. His criticism of Wahhabi Islam and the Saudi Arabian government underscores his commitment to a moralistic and just application of Islamic teachings. His books, like “The Great Theft,” address the nuances within Islamic discourse, distinguishing between moderate and extremist interpretations. As a vocal supporter of Palestine and a proponent of self-critical and introspective insight into Muslim thought, his influence extends to both legal and socio-political realms.

9. Amr Moussa (1936-present)

Amr Moussa, born on October 3, 1936, in Cairo, Egypt, is a prominent Egyptian politician and diplomat renowned for his extensive career in Egyptian government and international diplomacy. His father, Muhammad Moussa, was a former parliamentarian, influencing Amr’s early exposure to political and diplomatic environments. Amr Moussa’s academic journey in law began at Cairo University, where he earned a degree in 1957, laying the foundation for his future diplomatic endeavors.

Significant contributions and achievements mark Moussa’s diplomatic career. Starting in 1958, he served in various capacities, including at Egypt’s Embassy in Switzerland and the United Nations. His expertise in international relations was further honed through his tenure as Egypt’s ambassador to the United Nations, India, and Switzerland. As Egypt’s Foreign Minister from 1991 to 2001, Moussa played a pivotal role in shaping Egypt’s foreign policy, particularly in his criticism of Israeli policies and advocacy for Palestinian rights. His leadership in the Arab League as Secretary-General from 2001 to 2011 highlights his influence in regional politics and his efforts in promoting peace and dialogue.

In recent years, Moussa’s role in Egypt’s political landscape has evolved. He was elected committee president to amend the Egyptian constitution in 2013, demonstrating his continued relevance and influence in Egypt’s governance. Despite not winning the presidency in the 2012 Egyptian presidential election, his candidacy reflected his stature as a respected political figure. Moussa’s career, characterized by a blend of legal expertise and diplomatic acumen, has impacted Egyptian and Arab politics. While not detailed, his current activities likely continue to involve engagement with political, diplomatic, and legal matters, drawing on his extensive experience and expertise.

10. Huda Sha’arawi (1879–1947)

Huda Sha’arawi, born on June 23, 1879, in Minya, Egypt, was a trailblazing figure in the Egyptian feminist movement. She was the daughter of Muhammad Sultan Pasha Shaarawi, a prominent political figure who later became the president of Egypt’s Chamber of Deputies. Her mother, Iqbal Hanim, of Circassian descent, was brought from the Caucasus to Egypt. Sha’arawi’s upbringing was marked by an education in various languages and subjects, a privilege not commonly afforded to girls in her time. Her early life, spent in an upper-class Egyptian community, was largely secluded, conforming to the traditional norms of the era.

Sha’arawi’s life took a significant turn at thirteen when she married her cousin, Ali Sha’arawi. Though initially constricting, this union later became a catalyst for her educational and independent pursuits. After separating from her husband, Sha’arawi utilized this time for extended formal education and tasted independence, which was rare for women in her social stratum. She received private tutoring in Cairo, and her studies included Arabic, French, and poetry, enabling her to express her ideas and thoughts eloquently. Her memoir, “Harem Years,” provides a vivid account of her early experiences and growth into an influential feminist leader.

Sha’arawi’s feminist and nationalist contributions are monumental. During the 1919 Egyptian Revolution, she emerged as a leader, galvanizing women from various social classes to join the fight for independence and the release of male nationalist leaders. She worked closely with her husband, who was actively involved in the Wafd Party, ensuring continuity in their political activism. 1920, following the revolution, she became the first president of the Wafdist Women’s Central Committee, further cementing her role as a leading figure in both women’s rights and national independence movements. Her efforts culminated in founding the Egyptian Feminist Union in 1923, which she led until she died in 1947. Sha’arawi’s actions, particularly her public removal of her veil in 1922, symbolized a significant shift in Egypt's women’s liberation movement. Her legacy in advocating for women’s education, legal rights, and social freedoms continues to inspire feminist movements in Egypt and beyond.