, ,August 2026 ,Pages 386-395
Yousif Sami Farhan Al-Dulaimi ; Assist. Prof. Dr. Taisir Jadoua Aloush Al-Samarrai
Throughout history, Kurdish scholars have contributed significantly to enriching the scientific and religious life in Baghdad. They played a prominent role in promoting the values of moderation, spreading religious tolerance, and fostering peaceful coexistence. Sheikh Amjad Al-Zahawi was one of the most distinguished jurists of Baghdad in his time. Many religious scholars studied under his guidance and later played major roles in both scientific and religious fields. He was distinguished by his ability to combine the Hanafi juristic heritage with the requirements of social reality, which made him one of the most influential scholars in Baghdad’s religious and intellectual life.
Sheikh Amjad Al-Zahawi was regarded as one of the leading religious scholars and one of the influential religious and political figures in Iraqi society. The Shiite religious authority Muhsin Al-Hakim described him as “the Abu Hanifa of his era” due to his vast knowledge and deep understanding. Al-Zahawi was known for his profound scholarship, strong devotion to his faith, rare courage in upholding the truth, and firm belief in the unity of the Islamic Ummah. He devoted his entire life to learning, teaching, issuing religious verdicts (fatwas), judiciary work, calling to Islam, supporting its causes, and strengthening peaceful coexistence within Baghdad’s society.
This study aims to examine the role of Sheikh Amjad Al-Zahawi as a model case to highlight the contribution of Kurdish scholars to enhancing scientific and religious life in Baghdad. Through their religious institutions and intellectual and scholarly activities, they formed a prominent bridge of knowledge that contributed to renewing the discourse of preaching, guidance, and fatwas, and to supplying religious institutions with qualified scholarly capacities. Undoubtedly, this played a vital role in strengthening scientific and religious life in Baghdad.