He was in Mecca, so you should go there."1')» As for the reasons for his hasty departure, historians have mentioned a number of them, in addition to his interactions with scholars at Al-Azhar. One of these is that his hopes were dashed upon seeing the state of Al-Azhar.

Ren says, "The main reason for his dashed hopes was the lack of spiritual activity and Sufi study at Al-Azhar." This is also what Shukri believes happened.

Wal Nihad says: In Cairo, he found the interest in knowledge and spirituality not to the degree he expected.

Adams mentions the reasons given for his hasty departure, saying: "He felt he did not find the type of study he desired, and this is true, and that he did not receive the appreciation and honor he was accustomed to receiving from his students in the Maghreb."

This may also be true, and that he was opposed by Al-Azhar scholars for his reformist views, which seems possible in light of his later activities. Another reason suggested is that he was not comfortable with Muhammad Ali's rule.

He refused Muhammad Ali's invitation to lead the nation, although it is not clear that he confronted Muhammad Ali.

His opposition is not clear, nor is it certain that he was saved by a miracle, as the legend says.

We lean towards the reason that his dashed hopes upon seeing Al-Azhar prompted him to hasten his departure, as he did not find the type of study he wanted there.

This is in addition to his discomfort with Muhammad Ali's style of rule and the reforms he implemented. The first reason, in our opinion, is that Ibn al-Senussi did not intend to stay long in Cairo, but rather intended to perform the pilgrimage to the House of God and meet the Qutb from whom he would learn. His realization that his goal was not in Cairo hastened his departure, and the narrative provided by Shukri clarifies this well.

Shukri, p. 1 2.

2 Ren, p. and quoted from Ziyada, p. .

Shukri, p. 1-m B +Akms, p. 1 54