Mahmud al-Alusi

Mahmud Shukri al-Alusi al-Baghdadi (1217–1270 AH / 1802–1854 CE) was the most important Iraqi Quranic scholar of the 19th century, the author of Ruh al-Ma'ani (The Spirit of Meanings), one of the longest and most comprehensive Quran commentaries of the classical tradition. He was born into a scholarly family in Baghdad and became the leading mufti of Baghdad during the Ottoman period.

His Ruh al-Ma'ani fills thirty volumes and covers the entire Quran with linguistic analysis, hadith, variant opinions of the scholars, and theological discussions. It is distinctive for incorporating both classical Sunni scholarship and elements of Sufi interpretation alongside critical engagement with rationalist and Mu'tazilite positions. He drew on virtually the entire preceding tradition of tafsir literature.

He was initially a supporter of Ottoman rule but his theological positions brought him into conflict with certain circles. His scholarly output also included works on Arabic grammar, Islamic legal methodology, and biographical matters. He was appointed mufti of Baghdad by the Ottoman authorities, a position that placed him at the center of Iraqi religious life.

His grandson and family continued the scholarly tradition in Baghdad. He died in 1270 AH and is buried in Baghdad. His Ruh al-Ma'ani remains a standard reference in Quranic scholarship and is studied in Islamic universities as one of the major late classical tafsir works. He represents the last major phase of the classical tafsir tradition before the modern reformist movements fundamentally altered the genre.