Abū al-Ghayth al-Qashshāsh (959–1031/1552–1622), was a Tunisian Sufi and zāhid (ascetic), who is referred to by Ibn al-Qāḍī as ‘Ghālib’ (3/261).

He was born in Tunisia and travelled a great deal in the early years of his life in order to acquire the best possible education, eventually becoming an expert in tafsīr (Qurʾānic commentary), ḥadīth, principles of jurisprudence and the literary arts (Nawʿī Zāda, 652; al-Muḥibbī, 1/140). Because of his spiritual orientation and ascetic inclinations, he was naturally drawn to Sufism, and it could be said th…