Abdel-Hamid ibn Badis was an important Algerian Islamic teacher and leader. He worked to improve religion and culture in Algeria. Today in this article we will go through the complete biography of Abdel-Hamid ibn Badis.
Early life and Family
Abdel-hamid Ibn Badis was born in Constantine Algeria in 1889. His family was very well known and respected because they were religious scholars and leaders. They were also descendants of the Zirid dynasty who ruled North Africa in the 11th century. His grandfather Si Makki ben Badis was a judge and his father Muhammad Mustafa also worked as a judge and he was part of Algeria’s colonial government. Abdel-Hamid ibn Badis grew up in a religious family and memorized the Quran at age of 13.Education
As a young boy he studied under a teacher named Hamdan Lounissi who had a big influence on him. Lounissi told him: "learn knowledge for the sake of knowledge, not because of duty." He also taught Abdel-hamid Ibn Badis to never work for France which ruled Algeria at the time. Abdel-hamid Ibn Badis was inspired by famous Islamic reformers like Jamal al-Din al-Afghani and Muhammad Abduh.Higher Education
In 1908 Abdel-Hamid ibn Badis wanted to learn more so he traveled to Tunis. He joined Zeitouna University which is a famous school for Islamic studies. At the university Ben Badis learned a lot about Islam and the Arabic language. He met wise teachers who changed his thinking. One teacher Sheik Al-Nakhli taught him that Muslims should avoid wrong religious practices like worshipping saints. Another teacher Sheik Ben Achour helped him love the beauty of the Arabic language. In 1912 Abdel-Hamid ibn Badis graduated and he stayed one more year to teach at the university.Career of Abdel-Hamid ibn Badis
In 1931 he created the Association of Algerian Muslim Ulema. This group brought together many Islamic scholars even if they had different opinions. The group had a big impact on the politics of Algeria especially during the Algerian War of Independence. The Association also built schools where many Algerian Muslim children studied. They published a monthly magazine called Al-Chihab. Abdel-Hamid ibn Badis wrote for this magazine from 1925 until his death in 1940.| Date of Birth | 1889 |
| Place of Birth | Constantine Algeria |
| Grand father | Si Makki ben Badis |
| Father | Muhammad Mustafa |
| Memorize Quran | Age of 13 |
| Very first Teacher | Hamdan Lounissi |
| Traveled to Tunis | 1908 |
| Association of Algerian Muslim Ulema | 1931 |
| Death | 1940 |