al-Sanusi (Algeria, 19th century)

Muhammad ibn Ali al-Sanusi al-Khattabi al-Idrisi al-Hasani (1202–1276 AH / 1787–1859 CE) was a Moroccan-Algerian Islamic scholar who founded the Sanusiyya movement in Libya and the Sahara. He studied under Ahmad ibn Idris al-Fasi in Makkah and established his center in Jabal Akhdar in Cyrenaica (modern Libya). The Sanusiyya movement became a major force for Islamic revival and resistance to colonialism across Libya, Chad, Sudan, and the Sahara. His grandson Muhammad Idris became the first king of modern Libya. His scholarly works combined hadith methodology with spiritual development. Note: The Sanusiyya is classified as a tariqah; the founder's hadith scholarship is recognized.