Muhammad ibn Ali al-Idrisi

Sayyid Muhammad ibn Ali al-Idrisi (, 1876 – March 24, 1924) was the founder and first ruler of the Idrisid Emirate of Asir.

Biography Muhammad bin Ali al-Idrisi was born in Sabya in the Sheikdom of Upper Asir (now Saudi Arabia and Yemen). He was the grandson of Sayyid Ahmad ibn Idris al-Fasi, a Moroccan scholar from Fez, who was head of a religious fraternity (tariqa) at Mecca.

Sayyid Muhammad was educated partly at Al-Azhar University and partly by the Senussi at Kufra, and subsequently resided at Argo Island, Sudan. On his return to Asir, his one ambition was to render the district independent of the Ottoman Empire. He died on March 24, 1924, in his hometown. He was between 47 and 48.

Tribal insurrections in Yemen in March 1909, Tribes near south Bayt al-Faqih rose in a small rebellion against Ottoman garrisons. soldiers loyal to al-Idrisi assisted an uprising instigated by tribes living east of Al Luḩayyah, From there, they occupied Qawanis and al-Zaydiyya. On August 23, they captured Al-Luḩayyah. After this initial victory, the tribes between Al Qunfudhah and Maydl also joined al-Idrisi. In September 1909, Idrisi forces captured the town of Muha’il.