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Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi

1787 – 1859

Libyan scholar

Ulema
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About Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi

Lived 1787 – 1859 (aged 71–72). Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi was an ulema.

Muhammad ibn Ali al-Sanusi (; in full Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī al-Sanūsī al-Mujāhirī al-Ḥasanī al-Idrīsī) (1787–1859) was an Algerian Muslim theologian and leader who founded the Sanusi order in 1837. His militant mystical movement proved very significant and helped Libya to win its freedom from Italy on 10 February 1947. Al-Sanusi's grandson Idris ruled as king of Libya from 1951 to 1969.

Life Al-Sanusi was born in al-Wasita near Mostaganem, Algeria in 1787, and was named al-Sanusi after Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Sanusi, a venerated Muslim teacher active in Tlemcen in the 13th century. He was an Algerian Walad Sidi Abdallah tribesman who claimed descent from the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

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Important facts

Born
1787, Regency of Algiers
Birth century
18th century
Died
1859, Tripolitania vilayet
Occupation
Ulema
Nationality
Regency of Algiers
Education
Al-Azhar University
Also known as
Muhammad ibn Ali al- Sanusi, Muhammad ibn Ali as-Senussi

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Frequently asked questions

Who was Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi?

Libyan scholar

When was Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi born?

Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi was born in 1787 in Regency of Algiers.

When did Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi die?

Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi died in 1859 in Tripolitania vilayet.

What was Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi's occupation?

Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi was an ulema.

What nationality was Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi?

Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi's recorded nationality: Regency of Algiers.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi

· Wikidata: Q192246

· DBpedia: Muhammad ibn Ali al-Sanusi

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi. https://biography.guide/sayyid-muhammad-bin-ali-al-sanusi/

MLA: "Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/sayyid-muhammad-bin-ali-al-sanusi/.

Chicago: "Sayyid Muhammad bin ʿAli al-Sanusi." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/sayyid-muhammad-bin-ali-al-sanusi/.

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