The majority of monumental buildings existing until today attained their grandiose status during or soon after their inception. Rarely is a complex that was built for the sake of convenience transformed into a learning center of great reverence. Al-Azhar is one suchexception. The transformation of al-Azhar mosque-madrasa complex into Al-Azhar Mosque and University in the eighteenth century was a result of a long era of reconstructions andadditions that peaked during the fourteenth century Mamluk occupation of Cairo. We studythis pre- and post-eighteenth century history of al-Azhar to gain an understanding of the transformation of a mosque made for matters of convenience into one of the Muslim world’s greatest centers of learning.
The birth of Al-Azhar:When Jawhar al-Siqilli planned for the construction of al-Qahira, he drew plans to construct a new large mosque intended to be the centre of prayers for his master al-Mu'iz and his Maghrebite followers. This mosque was first known as Jami' al-Qahira (The mosque of Cairo). It had one minaret and occupied half the area occupied by the present day al-Azhar mosque.
The name, Jami' al-Qahira, remained for most of the Fatimid rule of Egypt. It is not known when the name was changed to al-Azhar and even historians differ to the cause of calling it al-Azhar. While some historians attribute the name to the remembrance to Fatima al-Zahra' [RAA] (the prophet's [PBUH] daughter), others mention that the mosque was built amidst a number of palaces known as al-Qusur al-Zahira and that the name Azhar was drawn from that name.
Since its establishment al-Azhar was the mosque in which main Friday prayers was conducted, and inhabitants of other nearby towns, Misr (al-Askar and al-Fustat combined) and al-Qatai', had to flock every Friday to al-Qahira to attend the Friday prayers and listen to the Khutba (The ritual mass addressing preceding the prayers) of the Fatimid Caliph.
The form of the Adhan (The call for prayers) and Khutba in al-Azhar, during the Fatimid era, followed the Shiite model. The mosque remained the official mosque of the Fatimid state for fourty years until the construction of Jami' al-Hakim (al-Hakim's mosque) during the reign of the Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim bi Amr Allah.
al-Azhar was also the centre of several celebrations of the Fatimids like the celebration of the prophet's [PBUH] birthday.
Al-Azhar University: the world’s oldest University and Islam’s seat of learning
Al-Azhar University is a natural expansion of the great mosque of Al-Azhar, the oldest and most celebrated of all Islamic academic institutes and Universities all over the world without exception. For over one thousand year Al-Azhar was venerated cultural centre for all Muslims in the East and West. Al-Azhar's educational policy is governed and oriented by the following basic guide lines and principles : The University of Al-Azhar is opened for all Muslim students who wish to study a particular academic discipline or to further and deepen their knowledge of Islamic Religion. The University of Al-Azhar is always attempting to create a kind of intellectual unity between Muslims everywhere in the Islamic world, it also works hard to cement and strengthen their relationship and sharpen their loyalty to the Islamic faith. In all its curriculum and scholarly activities the University is concerned with everything that can strengthen the spiritual ties of Islam, and revive the national sense of pride among its people.
The University is also keen to remain a guiding light for Islam and stronghold for the Arab nation, inculcating the Islamic teaching in the hearts and minds of Muslims, safeguarding its language, serving its objectives and aims, reforming its cultural heritage, and illuminating it for the benefit of mankind. Thus the University can perform the great task that Al-Azhar took upon itself throughout the ages.
The University of Al-Azhar aims to provide Egypt and the Arabic and Islamic world with scholars and experts, well equipped with Islamic culture and moral, and well prepared to serve their societies, and play their role in building up their countries on faith and scientific basis .
To prepare a stock of leading and highly qualified academicians and scientists for the coming generation in all branches of knowledge and experience required for life in its spiritual and material sides. To achieve this goal the university supports the higher studies, creating a new area of different specializations, providing scholarships in various walks of life to have the best experiences for the interest of Egypt and all Muslims in the entire Muslim world.
To keep an open eye on the scientific activities and benefit from them, and to contribute towards scientific progress and development through establishing and enforcing academic relations between Al-Azhar University and the Universities of the entire world.
It is also required to have such relations with research foundations and all other academic and scientific centres and to exchange academic visits with other universities, inviting the best of scholars in their fields to deliver lectures, conduct research in all different specializations. The university of Al-Azhar sends some of its members of staff from time to time, to catch up with the most recent, and up to date discoveries and developments in all the different scientific and academic fields and various research activities.