Habib Ali al-Jifri

Ali Zayn al-Abidin ibn Abd ar-Rahman al-Jifri (b. 1391 AH / 1971 CE), known as Habib Ali al-Jifri, is a prominent Yemeni-Emirati Islamic scholar and public intellectual. Born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to a family of Hadrami descent tracing lineage to the Prophet ﷺ, he studied under some of the greatest scholars of the Hadrami Shafi'i tradition, including the late Habib Abd al-Qadir as-Saqqaf and Habib Muhammad al-Haddar.

His most influential teacher was Habib Umar bin Hafiz of Tarim, Yemen, under whom he studied deeply and in whose tradition he was formed. He mastered Shafi'i jurisprudence, Ash'ari theology, and the Shadhili-Alawi Sufi path. He is widely regarded as one of the most effective contemporary Muslim communicators, known for his eloquence, warmth, and ability to address both traditional Muslim audiences and contemporary seekers.

Al-Jifri is the founder of Tabah Foundation in Abu Dhabi, an institution focused on Islamic research and the promotion of authentic Sunni scholarship. He has authored and edited numerous works on Islamic spirituality, the Prophet ﷺ, and the Hadrami scholarly tradition. He is also known for his extensive teaching tours and his Ramadan programs that reach millions of Arabic-speaking viewers. He has engaged actively in interfaith dialogue and public discourse on Islam in the modern world.

He represents the continuation of the Hadrami Shafi'i-Ash'ari scholarly tradition, which has been particularly influential in East Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Gulf. His influence spans traditional circles and a wide popular Muslim audience.