Birth and Upbringing:

Prof. Ahmad Muhammad Ahmad At-Tayyeb Al-Hassāni was born in the village of Al-Qurna, Luxor, on Safar 3, 1365 A.H. (January 6, 1946) to a Sufi family known for their uprightness and erudition that descends from our master Al-Hassan Ibn ˤAli Ibn Abī Ṭālib (may Allah be pleased with him and his father). He grew up in Al-Qurna under his father’s care, memorized the Qur’an and read canonical texts in the genuine Azharite way. Next, he joined the Esna Religious Institute, then the Qena Religious Institute. After high school, he joined the Department of Creed and Philosophy at the Faculty of Theology (ˀUṣuluddīn) in Cairo, where he graduated with Distinction in 1969. In all educational stages at Al-Azhar, he received knowledge from top scholars as he was notably driven by his earlier keenness to attend classes of scholars and righteous people, and to learn the principles of education, conduct and ascetic wisdom. At an early age, he attended reconciliation councils and customary courts that were led by his grandfather, Sheikh Ahmad At-Tayyeb, and his father, Sheikh Muhammad At-Tayyeb, at the “Tayyeb Courtyard”. When he reached the age of 25, he became a participant and investigator in reconciliation and dispute resolution councils, with his father, his uncles, and his older brother. He still joins his older brother, Sheikh Muhammad, in carrying such noble tasks.

Educational and Professional Progress:

Academic Degrees:

At-Tayyeb obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Creed and Philosophy from Al-Azhar University with a general grade Very Good with Honors, ranking first in the Department of Creed and Philosophy in 1969 AC. He was appointed Demonstrator at the Department of Creed and Philosophy, Al-Azhar University on Jumada Al-Akhirah 20, 1389 AC (September 2, 1969 AC). Less than two years following his graduation, he obtained a Master's Degree in 1391 AH /1971 AC and was appointed as an Assistant Lecturer in the same year. He received a PhD degree in 1397 AH/1977 AC and was appointed lecturer at the Department of Creed and Philosophy. He was then promoted to the rank of Assistant Professor in 1402 AH / 1982 AC, and later obtained professorship on Jumada al-Ula 17, 1408 AH (January 6, 1988 AC).

Scholarship in France:

The Grand Imam At-Tayyeb combined the teachings of the Azharite curriculum and openness to modern European culture. For five years, he studied French at the French Cultural Center in Cairo after graduating from the Faculty of Theology. He had a fair knowledge of English during his pre-university (1960-1965) and undergraduate years at Al-Azhar. He also translated a number of French references into Arabic.

 Leading positions and missions:

Prof. At-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, assumed many leading positions and tasks during his professional and Daˤwah career, through which he contributed to supporting just humanitarian causes, establishing peace, and restoring Al-Azhar’s global status and historical leadership that date back to more than a thousand years. The key positions held by the Grand Imam include the following:
1.    His Eminence has chaired the Muslim Council of Elders since its establishment on Ramadan 21, 1435 AH (July 19, 2014), the post that he still holds until today.
2.    The Grand Imam chairs the Egyptian Zakat and Charity House, established in 2014, and he personally oversees the expenditure channels in the service of the poor and needy.
3.    Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb assumed the position of Grand Imam of Al-Azhar on Rabīˤuth-Thānī 3, 1431 AH (March 19, 2010 AC), the post that he still holds until now. He succeeded the late Grand Imam, Prof. Muhammad Sayyed Tantawī, as the fiftieth Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Mosque. In this capacity, Imam At-Tayyeb heads the Council of Senior Scholars, the Islamic Research Academy, and the Supreme Council of Al-Azhar.
4.    His Eminence heads the World Organization of Al-Azhar Graduates (WAAG), which was established in 1428 AH (2007 AC) during his tenure as President of Al-Azhar University. He also presides over WAAG’s international conferences.
5.    His Eminence held the position of Rector of Al-Azhar University from Shaˤban 1, 1424 AH (September 28, 2003 AC) to Rabīˤ uth-Thānī 4, 1431 AH (March 19, 2010 AC).
6.    Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb was selected Grand Mufti of Egypt on Sunday, Dhul-Hijjah 26, 1422 AH (March 10, 2002 AC), the post he held until Shaˤban 1, 1424 AH (September 27, 2003 AC).
7.    At-Tayyeb was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Theology (ˀUṣuluddīn) at the International Islamic University of Islamabad, Pakistan, in the academic year 1999/2000.
8.    He was assigned Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies for Males in Aswan, (Jumada II 22, 1416 AH/November 15, 1995 AC). 
9.    He was assigned Dean of the Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Studies for Males in Qena Governorate (Rabīˤul-ˀĀkhir 8, 1411 AH/October 27, 1990 AC - Safar 21, 1421 AH/August 31, 1991 AC).

Universities where the Grand Imam taught:

1.    Saudi Arabia
Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh.
2.    Qatar
Qatar University.
3.    UAE
Al Ain University.
4.    Pakistan
International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Honors and Awards:

In recognition of his local and global efforts in supporting world peace and establishing the values of coexistence, Imam At-Tayyeb received the highest honors from a number of presidents and major universities around the world, on top of which are the following:
1.    He received the Islamic Personality Award awarded to Al-Azhar University by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, in 2003.
2.    His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan conferred on the Grand Imam the Order of Independence of the First Degree, and the Certificate of Membership at ᾿Ālu l-Bayt Royal Academy for Islamic Thought, in recognition of his Eminence's efforts in explaining the true aspects of Islam and its moderation, during his participation in the International Islamic Conference held in Jordan in July 2005.
3.    He received the Dubai International Holy Qur’ān Award: " Islamic Personality of the Year" in 2013..
4.    He was chosen as the Cultural Personality of the Year, Zayed International Book Award, in 2014.
5.    He was chosen as the Personality of the event on celebrating “Kuwait, Capital of Islamic Culture 2016”.
6.    His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, granted the Grand Imam Kuwait's Medal of Excellence with Ribbon of the Excellent Class, in January 2016.
7.    In October 2018, the University of Bologna, the oldest and most prestigious university in Europe, awarded him the Greatest Record Medal, the highest academic medal awarded by an academic institution to a number of political and religious leaders, thinkers and scholars.
8.    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, granted him the "Human Fraternity Award - from Dar Zayed", jointly with Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church, in its first edition, February 2019.
9.    The governor of Uzbek city, Samarkand, Babur Ablakulov, granted him the status of honorary citizenship of the city, with the decision ratified by the House of Representatives and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This came on the sidelines of the Grand Imam’s participation in the academic conference titled, “Imam Abu Mansour Al-Maturidi and the Maturidi Teachings: History and Current Reality”, March 2020, Samarkand (Uzbekistan).

Honorary Doctorate:

Due to the Grand Imam’s efforts in promoting peace and spreading the culture of dialogue and coexistence among the followers of different religions, different universities awarded him an honorary doctorate in appreciation of his efforts. Since he assumed the position of Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif, the Grand Imam received such honorary degrees several times, including the following:

1.    June 1, 2012: The Grand Imam was awarded Honorary Doctorate from the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, in appreciation of his efforts in serving the causes of Islam and Muslims.
2.    February 2, 2016: The Grand Imam was awarded Honorary Doctorate from Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University Malang (UIN Malang), Indonesia.
3.    April 3, 2016: The Grand Imam was awarded Honorary Doctorate in Social Sciences from Bani Suef University, Egypt, in recognition of his role in deepening the spirit of tolerance and coexistence throughout the world.
4.    October 4, 2017: The Grand Imam was awarded Honorary Doctorate in Islamic Studies and Literatures from the Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Thailand, for his role in serving Islamic Religion and Humanities, and his continued research and writing despite his multiple positions, presenting to humanity a largely substantial and weighty oeuvre.
5.    October 5, 2018: The Grand Imam was awarded Honorary Doctorate from the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, in appreciation of his relentless efforts in clarifying the tolerance of Islam and promoting a culture of tolerance, coexistence and dialogue among followers of different religions and cultures.
6.    October 6, 2018: L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University awarded the Grand Imam an honorary doctorate in recognition of his efforts in promoting the values of peace and coexistence, and his leadership of many initiatives of dialogue and cooperation between religious leaders and institutions across the world.