Current Grand Mufti
The complete lineage, from the Muftis of Egypt under the Ottoman era through the founding of Dar Al-Iftaa in 1895 to the present day.
Current Grand Mufti
2024 – present
The sitting Grand Mufti of Egypt, appointed on 11 August 2024. Holds a doctorate in Islamic theology and philosophy and has authored over thirty works in kalam and contemporary Islamic thought. Born in Kafr al-Sheikh.
Every Grand Mufti since the institution's founding.
February 2013 – August 2024
The first Grand Mufti of Egypt to be elected rather than appointed following reforms to the Al-Azhar law. Led an international campaign countering extremist rulings and grew Dar Al-Iftaa's digital reach. From Beheira.
September 2003 – February 2013
One of the leading contemporary jurists of Egypt. Holds a PhD in usul al-fiqh from Al-Azhar; known for deep mastery of the four Sunni schools and prolific works in fiqh and the Prophetic biography. Member of Al-Azhar's Council of Senior Scholars. From Beni Suef.
2002 – 2003
Specialised in Islamic philosophy and theology. Held teaching posts in France and Pakistan. Served one year as Grand Mufti before becoming Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in 2010. From Qurna, Luxor.
1996 – 2002
Holds a PhD in comparative fiqh; issued over 7,378 fatwas during his tenure with a special focus on financial transactions and medical bioethics. From Mit Badr Halawa in Gharbia.
1986 – 1996
Held the post of Grand Mufti for ten years before becoming Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, serving until his death in 2010. Authored the fifteen-volume al-Tafsir al-Wasit, a major modern commentary on the Quran. From Sohag.
1982 – 1985
Led Dar Al-Iftaa in the early 1980s during the restructuring of Egypt's religious institutions. Focused on modernising the fatwa process and broadening the range of issues addressed.
1978 – 1982
Among the most prominent 20th-century jurists. His rulings were collected in the Fatawa Islamiyya volumes – a cornerstone reference. Later served as Minister of Awqaf and then Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. From Batra village in Dakahlia.
1970 – 1978
Led Dar Al-Iftaa through the 1970s, a decade of major social and political shifts after the October War. Issued rulings on the evolving relationship between the modern state and society.
1964 – 1970
Served during the latter Nasser era. Ruled on nationalisation, labour, and family-law questions that shaped the modern Egyptian state.
1955 – 1964
Served as Chief Judge of Sudan before becoming Grand Mufti of Egypt, and later Grand Imam of Al-Azhar (1964–1969). Authored works on jihad and Quranic jurisprudence. Born in Cairo's Khalifa district in 1894.
1952 – 1954
Held the office of Grand Mufti for a second, shorter term following the July 1952 revolution. Known for clarity of juristic language and deep command of Quranic exegesis.
1950 – 1952
Served between Sheikh Makhluf's first and second tenures, across the transition from monarchy to republic. Handled sensitive rulings in the wake of the July 1952 revolution.
1946 – 1950
A major modern mufassir. Authored widely-read works on Quranic sciences including Safwat al-Bayan li-Ma'ani al-Quran and Kalimat al-Quran. This is his first tenure as Grand Mufti.
1928 – 1946
The longest-serving Grand Mufti after the institution's founding. His juristic method drew on Ibn Taymiyya, and he later held the Grand Imamate of Al-Azhar twice. From Mit Shahala in Menufia.
1921 – 1928
Led the institution through the 1920s after nominal independence from Britain. Authored works on vows and oaths; his rulings focused especially on women and family matters.
July 1920 – January 1921
From Girga in Sohag. Held the post only a few months, during which he issued 206 fatwas before leaving office.
1915 – 1920
A leading Egyptian jurist of the early 20th century. Ruled on wartime issues – conscription, waqf management, and commerce – during World War I. Author of numerous works. From al-Muti'a village.
1905 – 1914
From Sadfa in Asyut. Served nine years and issued 1,180 fatwas, establishing many of the procedural norms Dar Al-Iftaa still uses today.
November 1905
Appointed Grand Mufti after Muhammad Abduh's death, but died from heart failure only days later – the shortest tenure in the institution's history.
1899 – 1905
A towering figure of modern Islamic reform and student of Jamal al-Din al-Afghani. The first independent Grand Mufti after the office was separated from the Grand Imamate of Al-Azhar. His reformist methodology shaped 20th-century Islamic thought.
1895 – 1899
From Nawa village in Asyut. The first Grand Mufti of Egypt following Dar Al-Iftaa's founding on 12 November 1895 by Khedive Abbas Helmi II. Issued 287 fatwas during his tenure.
Ottoman-era Muftis of Egypt whose office Dar Al-Iftaa absorbed in 1895.
c. 1847 – 1887
Mufti of the Egyptian Provinces under the khedives Sa'id, Isma'il, and Tawfiq. Held the office for roughly four decades and stands among the most prominent 19th-century jurists in Egypt. Later Grand Imam of Al-Azhar.
19th century
A leading scholar of 19th-century Egypt. Served as Mufti before the office was unified, and later held the Grand Imamate of Al-Azhar.
1784 – 1860
A leading scholar of 19th-century Egypt. Held the Grand Imamate of Al-Azhar under Muhammad Ali Pasha and wrote the famous Hashiyat al-Bajouri. A principal authority for fatwa issuance before Dar Al-Iftaa was established.
1766 – 1835
Grand Imam of Al-Azhar under Muhammad Ali Pasha. An encyclopedic scholar who bridged fiqh, Arabic linguistics, and the natural sciences. Teacher of Rifa'a al-Tahtawi and one of the architects of Egypt's early modern scholarly renaissance.
Late 18th / early 19th century
Grand Imam of Al-Azhar at the turn of the 18th–19th century. His tenure spanned the French occupation; he represented the ulama in negotiations first with the French authorities and later with Muhammad Ali Pasha.