Flourished  Cairo, (Egypt), late 15th century/early 16th century

Ibn Abī al‐Fatḥ al‐Ṣūfī was an important Egyptian astronomer who wrote some 26 works on astronomy. These works include astronomical instruments, tables for timekeeping and other purposes, and important studies on Ulugh Beg's Zīj. His name and death date have been variously reported by both historical and modern sources. He has sometimes been confused with his father who pursued similar studies and had a similar name.

Although little is known about his life, we can surmise that Ibn Abī al‐Fatḥ al‐Ṣūfī was probably first educated by his father. He informs us in his Nihāyat al‐rutba fī al‐^ҁamal bi‐jadwal al‐nisba that his education was guided by the famous Egyptian astronomer Sibṭ al‐Māridīnī. Indeed, his approach to astronomy, relying on mathematics and arithmetic and avoiding philosophical content, does place him within the tradition of the “Egyptian school” that began with Ibn al‐Hā'imin 13th‐century Egypt, was further...