سيرة الإمام عبد الحليم محمود الذاتية .. رؤية نقدية : Biography of the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Halim Mahmoud...a critical view

Abstract

Confirming this research on the art of biography according to Imam Abdul Halim Mahmoud, the former Sheikh of Al-Azhar (1328 - 1397 AH / 1910 - 1978 AD), through an analytical and descriptive study of his book “Praise be to God, this is my life,” which he began writing in November 1975 AD.

It includes an introduction and five chapters: “On Praise, Environment and Upbringing, at Al-Azhar, in France, The Great Experience.” It is a distinguished book in personal translation. Because it was issued by a preacher, jurist, working scholar, and devout Sufi, who was known for his asceticism as well as his boldness in the truth, and he reached the highest religious positions in Egypt and the Islamic world. He became Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif from 1973 until his death.

He specified in his introduction the goal of writing this biography, which is that he re-evaluates his life, and that it is a story of thought before it is a story of life, and we will address this topic through the following topics:

Introducing the writer, his works, and the characteristics of the period in which he lived. 

His approach to writing an autobiography, and his influence by Imam Al-Suyuti in (Speaking by the Grace of God).
A picture of his sheikhs at Al-Azhar, and his professors in France.

Criticism of the education systems in Egypt and France.

Characteristics of his style: He combined the reporting style, which is the style of Ahmed Amin in his book (My Life), and the analytical style, which is the style of Al-Aqqad in his book (The Life of a Pen), his method of narration, deliberate digression, frequent citations, place, and time.

From the results of the research: This autobiography is an educational book that outlines his life’s approach for a Muslim, and in it the author presents a summary of his experience