Muhammad al-Amin al-Kanemi
Muhammad al-Amin al-Kanemi | |
|---|---|
"Alameen Ben Mohammed El Kanemy" by engraver Edward Francis Finden in Dixon Denham's memoir of his travel to Bornu, Narrative of travels and discoveries in Northern and Central Africa, in the years 1822, 1823, and 1824. Vol I Fontpiece, (1826) | |
| Shehu of the Kanem–Bornu Empire | |
| In office 1809 – 8 June 1837 | |
| Monarchs |
|
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Umar Kura |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Muhammad bin Muhammad Ninka 1776 |
| Died | 8 June 1837 (aged 60–61) Kukawa |
| Resting place | Kukawa, Borno State, Nigeria |
| Children | Umar Kura
|
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Islam |
| Denomination | Sunni |
| Jurisprudence | Maliki |
| Tariqa | Junaidi |
| Creed | Ash'ari |
Muhammad al-Amin al-Kanemi (Arabic: محمد الأمين بن محمد الكانمي, romanized: Muḥammad al-Amīn bin Muḥammad al-Kānamī; 1776 – 8 June 1837), also known by the nickname Laminu, was an Islamic scholar and teacher, and a religious, military, and political leader who was instrumental in saving the Kanem–Bornu Empire during the Fula jihads in the early 19th century.
As a result of his efforts, the ruler of the Kanem–Bornu Empire, mai Dunama IX Lefiami, rewarded al-Kanemi with unprecedented power which allowed al-Kanemi to eventually supplant the ruling Sayfawa dynasty as the de facto ruler of the empire. He took the new title of shehu ("sheikh") and established the town of Kukawa as his seat. Under al-Kanemi's son Umar Kura, the mais were later deposed and the al-Kanemi dynasty transitioned into de jure monarchs.