Who is Imam Al-Izz ibn Abd al-Salam?

He is Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd al-Salam, nicknamed "Izz al-Din" and "Sultan of Scholars." He was born in Damascus in 577 AH. He began seeking knowledge late in life but excelled in Shafi'i jurisprudence, eventually becoming the Sheikh of the Shafi'is in Damascus. He was known for his asceticism (zuhd), piety (wara'), fight against innovations (bid'ah), and his commanding of good and forbidding of evil.

Scholars praised him, such as Taj al-Din al-Subki, who described him as "the Sheikh of Islam and Muslims, the Sultan of Scholars," and Shihab Abu Shamah, who said he was "the most deserving of people for preaching and leading prayers, and he removed many innovations," and Ibn Kathir, who described him as "the Sheikh of the Madhhab and a benefactor to its followers."

He was imprisoned by Al-Salih Ismail because he did not supplicate for him in the sermon after he had surrendered fortresses to the Franks. Then he was released and moved to Egypt, where King Al-Salih Ayyub appointed him as the judge of Egypt and the preacher of the Ancient Mosque. Later, these positions were taken from him, and he was kept on teaching at Al-Salihiyya. He died in 660 AH and was buried at the foot of Al-Muqattam, and his funeral was attended by Sultan Al-Zahir and a great multitude of people.

Among his works are: "Al-Qawa'id al-Kubra" (Rules of Rulings), "Shajarat al-Ma'arif," "Abridged Interpretation of the Qur'an," "Mukhtasar Sahih Muslim," and others.