IBNSUMAYT˙,THE 'ALAWIYYA AND THE SHA¯FI 'I 'ULAMA ¯|OF ZANZIBAR c.1870-1925

Upon his return to Zanzibar, Ibn Sumayt ˙ began his long period of public

service, initially under the Bu¯ Sa\ı¯dı¯ Sultans, then for the British Bu¯ Sa\ı¯dı¯ state. Now began also his most productive period as a writer; the majority of his works were completed between 1890 and 1910. Finally, he now entered his most active period as a teacher, principally on Sufism, but also in other branches of \ulu¯m.