Ahmad ibn Abi Jum'ah facts for kids

Abu al-Abbas Ahmad ibn Abi Jum'ah al-Maghrawi al-Wahrani (Arabic: أبو العباس احمد بن جمعة المغراوي الوهراني) was an important Maliki scholar of Islamic law. He lived and taught in North Africa from the late 1400s until his death in 1511.

He is best known for writing a special religious opinion called the Oran fatwa in 1504. This fatwa gave advice to Muslims living in Spain. It told them how to practice Islam secretly, even if they had to pretend to be Christian in public. It also allowed them to do things normally forbidden in Islam if it was necessary for their survival. Because of this, he is often called "the Mufti of Oran." However, he likely wrote the fatwa in Fez, not Oran. He also didn't hold an official religious position in either city.

Understanding His Name

Ahmad ibn Abi Jum'ah had a long name with several parts. Each part tells us something about him:

• Abu al-Abbas: This part means "father of al-Abbas." It's a special kind of nickname in Arabic, often used for a parent.
• Ahmad: This was likely his given name.
• ibn Abi Jum'ah: This means "son of Abu Jum'ah." It shows his father's name.
• al-Maghrawi: This part of his name might mean he was from a place called Maghrawah in Algeria. Some also think it refers to the Maghrawa tribe.
• al-Wahrani: This means "of Oran," referring to the city of Oran in what is now Western Algeria.

Sometimes, the name "Ubaydallah" was also added. This means "the little servant of God" and was a way to show his religious devotion. Because of these different parts and how they were written, his name can sometimes seem confusing.

His Life Story

We don't know exactly when Ahmad ibn Abi Jum'ah was born, but it was probably in the mid-1400s. He might have been born in Oran, or in a nearby region called Maghrawah. He was likely from the Berber people.

He started his studies in Oran. Later, he moved to Tlemcen, a major city nearby, to learn more about Islamic law and theology. He studied under a famous scholar named Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Sanusi. While in Tlemcen, he wrote a book and also taught.

Around 1493, he moved to Fez, where he became a paid professor of law. He wrote the famous Oran fatwa in 1504, most likely while he was living in Fez. He passed away in Fez on June 3, 1511. His son, Muhammad Shaqrun, also became a respected Islamic scholar.

Even though he is often called "the Mufti of Oran," he was actually working in Fez when he wrote the fatwa. He wasn't an official mufti (a scholar who gives religious opinions) for the city. Instead, he gave his legal opinion as a private scholar when asked. Any skilled Islamic scholar could give a fatwa, but official ones usually carried more weight.

His Important Writings

The Oran Fatwa

Ahmad ibn Abi Jum'ah is most famous for his religious opinion, known as the Oran fatwa. It got its name because "al-Wahrani" (meaning "of Oran") was part of his name.

This fatwa was very important for Muslims in Spain. After Christian kingdoms took back control of Spain (a period called the Reconquista), Muslims faced pressure to convert to Christianity. The Oran fatwa gave them special permissions. It allowed them to outwardly act like Christians and do things normally forbidden in Islam if it was necessary to survive. However, they had to keep their true Islamic beliefs in their hearts.

This fatwa was widely used by Muslims and Moriscos (Muslims who had converted to Christianity and their descendants) in Spain. It helped them understand how to keep their faith during difficult times. Many people consider it a key document for understanding how Spanish Muslims practiced their religion until they were expelled from Spain.

Other Works

Besides the Oran fatwa, he also wrote a book called Jami' Jawami' al-Ikhtisar wa al-Tibyan fima ya'rudu bayna al-mu'allimin wa aba al-sibyan. This book was about basic education and the relationship between teachers and parents. He wrote it while he was in Tlemcen.

See Also

In Spanish: Ibn-Abi-l-Gúmua Al-Magrawi Al-Wrahani para niños

• Ahmad al-Wansharisi
• Islam in Spain
  • Mudéjar
  • Morisco