Yaḥyā ibn Ṣāliḥ al-Anṣārī

Zakariyyā al-Ansārī was born around 1420 CE in Sunayki, Egypt, and belonged to the Ansar tribe. He studied extensively at al-Azhar University in Cairo under prominent scholars such as Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani and Jalal al-Din al-Mahalli. He held prestigious teaching positions for eighty years, including teaching at the shrine of Imam al-Shafi'i and serving as headmaster of Al-Azhar. Zakariyyā also served as chief judge of Egypt for two decades during Sultan Qaitbay's reign, known for his integrity and courage in advising rulers. He died in Cairo in 1520 CE at the age of 100 and was buried near Imam al-Shafi'i's tomb. His students included many future leading Islamic scholars, and he is regarded as a mujaddid and foremost authority in the Shafi'i school.