On This Day In Muslim History: January 20

Imam Al-Shafi’i Died

This day (19 January 820) marks the death anniversary of Abu Abdillah Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi’i, one of the four great Imams of Islamic jurisprudence (Usul al-fiqh). Known as ‘Shaykh Al Islam’, Imam Al-Shafi’i’s work on juridical matters and teaching eventually led to the formation of the Shafi’i Madhhab.

Alp Arslan Was Born

On this day, on 20 January 1029, Seljuk Sultan, Muhammad bin Dawud Chaghri whose military prowess and fighting skills obtained him the name Alp Arslan (Heroic Lion) was born. He expanded the Seljuk territory, defeating rivals to the south and northwest and was victorious over the Byzantines at the Battle of Manzikert.

Abdul Ghaffar Khan Died

This day, on 20 January 1988, marks the death anniversary of Abdul Ghaffar Khan, honourably addressed as Fakhr-e-Afghan and nicknamed ‘Frontier Gandhi’ for his nonviolent opposition during the Indian independence. He founded the Khudai Khidmatgar, an anti-colonial resistance movement.