The Family of Mustafa Al-Mahjoub: A Descriptive and Analytical Study

Abstract

This book presents a descriptive and analytical study of the family of Mustafa Al-Mahjoub, the Sheikh of the Tilmun Senussi Zawiya, based on approximately 140 rare archival documents that survived wars and upheavals, primarily sourced from the private collection of Sheikh Mansour Al-Mahjoub. The study is divided into two main parts. The first focuses on Sheikh Mustafa Al-Mahjoub, detailing his biography and multifaceted roles in religious guidance, education, judicial arbitration, administration, economic management, communication, and jihad, highlighting the Zawiya’s role as a central institutional and social hub in Cyrenaica. The second part examines his sons and grandchildren, including Sheikh Mohammed Ali, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Senussi (Ahmida), and the grandson Sheikh Mansour Al-Mahjoub, documenting their contributions to education, judiciary, jihad, and national politics, including the founding of the Islamic University and their participation in building Libya’s modern institutions.