Islamic Global Reference

Current Grand Mufti

Muftis of Egypt

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

Dr. Nazir Muhammad Ayyad

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.

Dar Al-Iftaa era (1895 to present)

Every Grand Mufti since the institution's founding.

21

Dr. Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam

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.

20

Dr. Ali Gomaa

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.

19

Dr. Ahmed Muhammad el-Tayeb

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.

18

Dr. Nasr Farid Wasel

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.

17

Dr. Muhammad Sayyid Tantawy

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.

16

Dr. Abdul Latif Abdul Ghani Hamzah

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.

15

Sheikh Jad al-Haqq Ali Jad al-Haqq

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.

14

Sheikh Muhammad Khater Muhammad al-Shaykh

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.

13

Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad Abd al-Al Haridi

1964 – 1970

Served during the latter Nasser era. Ruled on nationalisation, labour, and family-law questions that shaped the modern Egyptian state.

12

Sheikh Hasan Ma'mun

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.

11

Sheikh Hasanayn Muhammad Makhluf (second term)

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.

10

Sheikh Allam Nassar

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.

09

Sheikh Hasanayn Muhammad Makhluf (first term)

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.

08

Sheikh Abd al-Majid Salim

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.

07

Sheikh 'Abd al-Rahman Qurra'ah

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.

06

Sheikh Muhammad Isma'il al-Bardisi

July 1920 – January 1921

From Girga in Sohag. Held the post only a few months, during which he issued 206 fatwas before leaving office.

05

Sheikh Muhammad Bakhit al-Muti'i

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.

04

Sheikh Bakri al-Sadafi

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.

03

Sheikh Abdel Kader El-Rafei

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.

02

Imam Muhammad Abduh

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.

01

Sheikh Hassuna al-Nawawi

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.

Before Dar Al-Iftaa (pre-1895)

Ottoman-era Muftis of Egypt whose office Dar Al-Iftaa absorbed in 1895.

05

Sheikh Muhammad al-Mahdi al-Abbasi

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.

04

Sheikh Muhammad al-Inbabi

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.

03

Sheikh Ibrahim al-Bajouri

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.

02

Sheikh Hasan al-Attar

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.

01

Sheikh Muhammad al-Arousi

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.