Yusuf bin Ahmad al-Kawneyn (Arabic: يوسف بن أحمد الكونين) (b. 12th century),[2][3] popularly known as Aw Barkhadle ("Blessed Father"),[4]Yusuf Al Kownayn, Yusuf Al Bagdhadi,[5] and Shaykh Abu Barakat al Barbari ("Blessed Father of Somalia),[6][7] was a Somali Muslimscholar and traveler. Based on reference to Yusuf Al Kawneyn in the Harar manuscripts, Dr. Enrico Cerulli has suggested that Al-Kawneyn was the founder and ancestor of the Walashma dynasty that governed both Sultanate of Ifat and Adal Sultanate during the middle ages.[8][9] Another genealogical tradition according to C.J Cruttenden is that Aw Barkhadle was a descendant of Ismail Sheikh Isaaq ibn Ahmed.[10] However, many accounts indicate Shaykh Yusuf al Kownayn and Shaykh Isaaq were known to be contemporaries and in contact at the same time (and not related).[11][12][13]
Sheikh Yusuf Al-Kawneyn was a native Somalischolar[14] who studied in his city Zeila and later in Iraq. As a result of his studies in Iraq, he was given the title of "Al Baghdadi" as well.[5] He is also noted for having devised a Somali nomenclature for the Arabic vowels,[15]this would eventually evolve into Wadaad's writing.
Described by some as a Sharif,[4][16] he has been described as "the most outstanding saint in northern Somalia".[17]
The Sheikh is also known for spreading the Islamic faith, to the Maldives islands and Southeast Asia, after traveling there from Zeila, and was called by the residents there "Al Barakat Al Barbari".[18][19] He is also known as being a member of the Somali 'Diwan al-awliya' (Famous Saints of Somali Origin). [20]
Sheikh Yusuf Al Kawneyn is also associated with the Walashma dynasty of Ifat and Adal, which was a medieval Muslim dynasty of the Horn of Africa.[21] It governed the Ifat and Adal Sultanates in what are present-day northern Somalia, Djibouti and eastern Ethiopia. Sheikh Yusuf is described by historians as being the founder and ancestor of this royal family.[8][9][22] He is also known as representing the spiritual legacy of the Ifat and Adal Sultanates.[23]
The Shaykh has shrines dedicated to him, in the Maldives,[24] in Sri Lanka,[25] in the town of Aw Barkhadle in Somaliland,[26] and in a site called Qoranyale, near the town of Borama.[5]
According to C.J Cruttenden, the tomb of saint Aw Barkhadle, which is located to the southwest of Berbera, was used by the Isaaqclans to settle disputes and to swear oaths of alliances under a holy relic attributed to Bilal Ibn Rabah. The Eidagale historically acted as mediators.
Sheikh Yusuf Al-Kawneyn was a native Somalischolar[14] who studied in his city Zeila and later in Iraq. As a result of his studies in Iraq, he was given the title of "Al Baghdadi" as well.[5] He is also noted for having devised a Somali nomenclature for the Arabic vowels,[15]this would eventually evolve into Wadaad's writing.
Described by some as a Sharif,[4][16] he has been described as "the most outstanding saint in northern Somalia".[17]
The Sheikh is also known for spreading the Islamic faith, to the Maldives islands and Southeast Asia, after traveling there from Zeila, and was called by the residents there "Al Barakat Al Barbari".[18][19] He is also known as being a member of the Somali 'Diwan al-awliya' (Famous Saints of Somali Origin). [20]
Sheikh Yusuf Al Kawneyn is also associated with the Walashma dynasty of Ifat and Adal, which was a medieval Muslim dynasty of the Horn of Africa.[21] It governed the Ifat and Adal Sultanates in what are present-day northern Somalia, Djibouti and eastern Ethiopia. Sheikh Yusuf is described by historians as being the founder and ancestor of this royal family.[8][9][22] He is also known as representing the spiritual legacy of the Ifat and Adal Sultanates.[23]
The Shaykh has shrines dedicated to him, in the Maldives,[24] in Sri Lanka,[25] in the town of Aw Barkhadle in Somaliland,[26] and in a site called Qoranyale, near the town of Borama.[5]
According to C.J Cruttenden, the tomb of saint Aw Barkhadle, which is located to the southwest of Berbera, was used by the Isaaqclans to settle disputes and to swear oaths of alliances under a holy relic attributed to Bilal Ibn Rabah. The Eidagale historically acted as mediators.
