Ali al-Jifri

Sheikh
Habib Ali Al-Jifri
الحبيب علي زين العابدين الجفري
Born (1971-04-16) 16 April 1971[1]
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
OccupationIslamic scholar
OrganizationTabah Foundation
TitleShaykh Sayyid
Websitewww.alhabibali.com/en/

Habib Ali Zain al-Abidin al-Jifri (Arabic: الحبيب علي زين العابدين الجفري; born 16 April 1971[1]) is a Yemeni Sunni Islamic scholar and spiritual educator based in Cairo, Egypt.[2][3] He is the founder of Tabah Foundation (مؤسسة طابـة),[4][5] a research institute based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.[6]

Early life

Ali Zain al-Abidin al-Jifri was born in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 16 April 1971[7] (20th Safar 1391 AH). Al-Jifri is a direct descendant of Muhammad through his grandson Husayn ibn Ali.[8][9] He has written books including "The Concept of Faith in Islam."[10]

Theological Criticisms of Ali al-Jifri

The religious discourse surrounding Ali al-Jifri involves significant opposition from the Athari/Salafi school of thought. Critics argue that his teachings contain fundamental errors in Aqidah (creed) and Manhaj (methodology) that place him outside the boundaries of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah.[11]

Deviations in Aqidah

The primary objections to al-Jifri center on the three divisions of Tawhid (Monotheism). Critics assert that he has fallen into Shirk (polytheism) through the following:

  1. Tawhid al-Rububiyyah (Lordship): Al-Jifri is accused of attributing divine creative powers to the Awliya (Saints). This includes his assertion that a "Wali" can bring life to a womb without a father[12], a claim viewed as a violation of Allah's unique role as the sole Creator. [11] As Allah states in the Quran about the polytheists of Quraysh:

    ﴿وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ مَنْخَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُ﴾ [الزمر:38]
    {And if you asked them, “Who created the heavens and the earth?” they would say, “Allah.”} [Az-Zumar:38] - Bridge's Translation.

  2. Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (Worship): A major point of contention is his promotion of Istigatha (seeking aid) from the deceased. Al-Jifri encourages seeking "Madad" (spiritual support) from the Prophet ﷺ and various saints, which critics classify as Shirk Akbar (Major Polytheism), arguing that supplication (Du'a) must be directed to Allah alone.[11]
  3. Attributes of Allah: His theological framework is often criticized for following the Ash'ari/Maturidi or extreme Sufi interpretations that interpret away (Ta'wil) the literal attributes of Allah, contrary to the Athari position.[11]

Methodological Issues (Manhaj)

Beyond core creedal matters, al-Jifri is criticized for his approach to religious knowledge and his socio-political alignments:

  • Propagation of Khurafat (Superstitions): He is frequently cited for narrating "irrational" stories and Munkar (rejected) accounts without authentic Isnad (chains of narration). Examples include his claims of physical miracles performed by deceased figures that lack scriptural or logical backing.[11]
  • Promotion of Sufi Extremism: His efforts to revive and normalize Sufi practices—such as grave visitation for the purpose of seeking blessings—are viewed by many scholars as a revival of Bid'ah (innovation).[11]
  • Political Alignments: Critics point to his supportive stance toward groups perceived as deviants, such as the Muslim Brotherhood and Tablighi Jamaat, as evidence of a flawed methodology that prioritizes emotional or political unity over the purity of the Salafi creed.[11]

Position of Senior Scholars

Several senior scholars have issued warnings regarding al-Jifri. Notably, Sheikh Saleh al-Fawzan has provided recorded fatwas[13][14] [15] [16] characterizing al-Jifri's calls for Istigatha as clear Kufr (disbelief) as well as many other of his innovations, warning the Ummah against his influence and his appearances in the media.[11]

Awards and recognition

Since 2009, Al-Jifri has been listed as one of the top 50 most influential Muslims in the world by Georgetown University's Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan.[17] and in 2023 was number 22.[17] He was a recipient of the Eugen Biser award in 2008 for his contribution to the document A Common Word Between Us and You.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b Pierret, Thomas (25 March 2013). Religion and State in Syria: The Sunni Ulama from Coup to Revolution. p. 127. ISBN 978-1107026414.
  2. ^ Aquila Style: "Scholar spotlight: Habib Ali al-Jifri, a Sufi kind of love" - By Omar Shahid 21 August 2014
  3. ^ Aggarwal, Ricky (7 June 2019). "Scholar spotlight: Habib Ali al-Jifri, a Sufi kind of love". Aquila Style. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  4. ^ Gerhard Böwering, Patricia Crone, Mahan Mirza, The Princeton Encyclopedia of Islamic Political Thought, p 600. ISBN 0691134847
  5. ^ "مؤسسة طابة للأبحاث والإستشارات | Tabah Foundation".
  6. ^ Philip Lewis, Young, British and Muslim (Continuum 2007), p 76.
  7. ^ Thomas Pierret, Religion and State in Syria: The Sunni Ulama from Coup to Revolution, p 127. ISBN 1107026415
  8. ^ Yvonne Y Haddad, Educating the Muslims of America, p. 151. ISBN 0199705127
  9. ^ "Biography | al Habib Ali AlJifri".
  10. ^ "The Concept of Faith in Islam - by Habib Ali al-Jifri - Full book (English and Arabic) in PDF". 8 January 2013. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h "ماذا تعرف عن الجفري؟ – موقع الإسلام العتيق" (in Arabic). Retrieved 2 April 2026.
  12. ^ المنهج السلفي بالسودان (7 April 2016). الجفري يعتقد ان الولي يخلق طفلاً في رحم إمراة بلا أب ( موثق ) تعليق الشيخ مزمل فقيري [Al-Jifri believes that a saint can create a child in the womb of a woman without a father (documented). Commentary by Sheikh Muzammil Faqiri.]. Retrieved 2 April 2026 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان (6 January 2021). [1241 /1350] يوجد داعية يدعى "الجفري" يقول: إن الولي له قدرة على خلق الجنين في بطن أمه؟ صالح الفوزان. Retrieved 2 April 2026 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان (13 June 2022). 496 - ما رأي فضيلتكم بالحبيب الجفري وهل هو من أهل السُنَّة والجماعة؟ - الشيخ صالح الفوزان. Retrieved 2 April 2026 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان (14 December 2020). [341 /1350] المدعو "علي الجفري" يقول إن سؤال الرسولﷺفي قبره والاستغاثة به مشروع! فنطلب منكم الإيضاح؟. Retrieved 2 April 2026 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان (4 February 2021). [57 -201] خرج رجل في إحدى القنوات يسمى الجفري، يدعي أنه صوفي معتدل، ويلمز هيئة كبار العلماء. Retrieved 2 April 2026 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ a b "Habib 'Ali Zain Al Abideen Al-Jifri". The Muslim 500. 27 May 2018.
  18. ^ Joseph Nnabugwu, Analyzing A Common Word Between Us Muslims and You Christians: A Critical Discourse Analysis, p 101. ISBN 1462853072
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