Ali al-Tantawi

Ali ibn Mustafa al-Tantawi al-Dimashqi (1327–1420 AH / 1909–1999 CE) was a Syrian Shafi'i scholar, judge, and prolific writer. He served as a judge in Syria and later in Saudi Arabia. He is best known for his accessible and beautifully written Islamic literature — his Dhikrayat (Memoirs), Rijal min al-Ta'rikh (Men of History), and his works on Islamic jurisprudence and biography. He had a widely watched television program and his writing style influenced many contemporary Islamic writers. He was known for combining deep scholarship with literary excellence.