Ali ibn Ahmad al-Samhudi

Nur al-Din Ali ibn Abd Allah ibn Ahmad al-Hasani al-Samhudi , better known as Nur al-Din al-Samhudi was an Arab Sunni Islamic scholar from the 15th century. He was a well-known Shafi'i jurist, hadith scholar, mufti and historian of Medina. He is best known for his history of the city of Medina entitled Wafa al-Wafa bi Akhbar Dar al-Mustafa. He is known to be the last person to enter and clean the Inner Chamber of the prophet Muhammad's grave.

Lineage His pedigree can be traced back to 'Ali b. Abi Talib. He is Nur al-Din Abu al-Hasan 'Ali b. 'Abd Allah b. Ahmad b. 'Isa al-Hasani al-Shafi'i. His family was well-known for their knowledge and prestigious lineage. He was a Hasani Hashimi Qurashi.

Life Al-Samhudi was born in Samhud in the year of 833 AH/1429 CE. Samhud is a large village on the Nile’s western shore in Upper Egypt.

873 was the year that al-Samhudi returned to Medina and became a permanent resident. He would become the head of scholars in Medina, representing as their mufti by issuing fatwa's and was the teacher at the Prophet's Mosque. Many students would attend his lessons. Following a life devoted to worship, learning, teaching, writing, and study, Samhudi died on Thursday, the 18th of Dhu al-Qadah, 911 AH (1533 CE).

He wrote a supplementary note on Rawdat al-Talibin by Imam al-Nawawi. This book, along with his Hashiyah (supplementary note) on Imam Nawawi's al-Idah fi al-Manasik, is sometimes quoted by later authorities in the Madhhab.

Durar al-Sumut fima lil-Wudu’ min al-Shurut, a jurisprudential work regarding impurities. Tayyib al-Kalam bi Fawa’id al-Salam al-Anwar al-Saniyyah fi Ajwibat al-As’ilat al-Yamaniyyah al-‘Iqd al-Farid fi Ahkam al-Taqlid Al-Samhudi's Fatawa collection

Most of his other works were lost in the fire that broke out in the Prophet’s Mosque in the year 886 AH.