Chain of transmission
Abu al-ʿAbbas al-Mursi
1219 – 1287 · Murcia and Alexandria · second master of the Shadhili way
A native of Murcia, in al-Andalus, Abu al-ʿAbbas al-Mursi was the disciple and son-in-law of Abu al-Hasan ash-Shadhili, then the master of Ibn ʿAta' Allah. He lived forty-three years in Alexandria, where his mosque is one of the most visited religious monuments.
Murcia
Ahmad ibn ʿUmar al-Ansari al-Mursi was born in Murcia in 1219, in a well-off merchant family. Educated in the religious sciences, he was known for his honesty and generosity.
Exile
In 1242, faced with the advance of the Reconquista, he left Spain with his family. A storm struck the ship off Tunisia: his parents perished, he and his brother survived.
With ash-Shadhili
In Tunisia he met Abu al-Hasan ash-Shadhili and accompanied him to Alexandria. He became one of his closest disciples and married his daughter.
The successor
Shortly before his death, at Humaythara, ash-Shadhili withdrew with him and designated al-Mursi as his successor at the head of the community.
Alexandria
He lived forty-three years in Alexandria, stressing humility, gratitude and devotion in daily life.
Disciples
His two best-known disciples are Ibn ʿAta' Allah, who succeeded him, and Yaqut al-ʿArshi, a young Ethiopian whom he had raised in his house.
Death and tomb
He died in 1287. Over his tomb was built the mosque of Abu al-ʿAbbas al-Mursi, in the Anfushi district of Alexandria, which became one of the best-known in the city.