Anwar visits Egyptian scholar Sheikh Abdul Aziz, who urges preservation of Islamic classical heritage

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 — In a visit to Egyptian scholar Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Syahawi at Nasyrul Quran in Putrajaya today, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim underscored the importance of preserving Islamic classical heritage (turath). Anwar declared that the treasures of turath serve as a vital link between the present generation and the rich scholarly tradition of the past.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz emphasized that the Al-Azhar's distinctiveness stems from its strong chain of narration (isnad) and the continuity of scholarly tradition passed down through generations. The Prime Minister echoed this sentiment, stressing that new technology should not be dismissed but should be employed to document and maintain these invaluable resources.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz, born in Al-Mahallah Al-Kubra, Al-Gharbiyyah, Egypt, is a prominent figure within the Shafi'i school at Al-Azhar. In addition to his role as Sheikh of the Imams of the Imam Al-Shafi'i School and the Shahawiyyah Burhamiyyah Order (Tariqah), he serves as a jurist (faqih) and a teacher of Quranic recitation sciences (qiraat) at Al-Azhar Mosque.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz is committed to the traditional method of learning classical texts face-to-face (talaqqi kitabul turath) and possesses exceptional memory skills across various branches of religious knowledge, including hadith and Quranic recitation.

In a social media post, Anwar quoted Imam al-Syafie's advice on the value of dedication in acquiring knowledge: "Whoever does not experience the hardship of learning even for a moment will swallow the bitterness of ignorance for a lifetime." The Prime Minister expressed his hope that Sheikh Abdul Aziz would be granted health and well-being, a long life filled with blessings, and that his teachings would continue to serve as a continuous, charitable influence on future generations.