Muhammad Amin ash-Shanqiti

Muhammad al-Amin ibn Muhammad al-Mukhtar ash-Shanqiti (1907-1973 CE / 1325-1393 AH) was a Mauritanian polymath and Quran commentator who became one of the most prominent scholars in Saudi Arabia. Raised in the rigorous Mauritanian scholarly tradition, he memorized the Quran, extensive hadith collections, and classical Arabic poetry before traveling to the Hijaz for Hajj, where he was invited to remain and teach.

His principal work, Adwa' al-Bayan fi Idah al-Quran bil-Quran, is recognized as one of the most important tafsirs of the 20th century. Its methodology of explaining Quranic verses by cross-referencing them with other verses reveals the remarkable consistency and interconnectedness of the Quran. The work also addresses legal questions, grammatical analysis, and points of creed. His Mudhakkirah fi Usul al-Fiqh is a clear and well-organized introduction to the principles of Islamic jurisprudence that is widely used as a teaching text. He also composed poetry and delivered lectures on a vast range of Islamic sciences.

Ash-Shanqiti's scholarly presence in Medina attracted students from across the Muslim world, and he was a founding member of the Islamic University of Madinah's faculty. His combination of Mauritanian erudition, Quranic mastery, and deep legal knowledge made him a unique figure in modern Islamic scholarship. Among his notable students was Muhammad ibn al-Uthaymeen. He passed away in Mecca during the Hajj season and his tafsir continues to be widely studied and cited.