Al-Mutaman Abu Ishaq Ibrahim ibn Al-Assaal

• He was an ascetic, a true worshiper, and a lover of studying and searching for knowledge.

• After the death of his pious wife his brother, Al-Safi, sent him a letter urging him to continue his ascetic life after the loss of his helpmate. This letter was well accepted and he became a disciple of St. Boutrus (Peter) the Confined.

• His contemporary Bishop of Damietta, ibn al-Dahiry, called him: “The elder, the ascetic chief, the worshiper, and the faithful (Al-Mutaman) One.”

• He was ordained priest, then protopriest, and remained in the patriarchate as a secretary of Pope Cyril III ibn-Loqloq. As secretary, he often wrote to the bishops on behalf of the Pope.

• Abu Is-haq accompanied the Ayyubids to Syria.

• He wrote more than 10 books on theology, Coptic language, sermons. Of these are:

1. Magmu Osul al-Din wa-Masmu Mahsol al-Yaqin – Records of Foundations of Religion: One of the largest theological books. Copies are present in the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate Library , libraries in Paris and London, and the Eastern Library of the Jesuits.

2. Al-Tabsira al-Mokhtasarah fi al-‘Aqayed Al-Nosraneya in 16 chapters – Abridged Contemplation: It is extant in the Eastern Library and the Library of Chori Boulus Sabat.

3. Adaab Al-Kenisa – Ecclesiastical Usages.

4. Khutab al-A‘yad al-Sayyidiyyah (Sermons on the Feasts of the Lord).

5. Al-Sullam al-Muqaffaa wa-al-Zahab al-Musaffa : A Coptic–Arabic Dictionary.

6. Introduction to the Epistles of St. Paul.

7. Teryaq Al-Oqoul fi ilm Al-Usul wa-al-Assrar al-Khafiya fi ilm al-Masshiya . A copy is present in the Patriarchate Library.

8. Tafsir al-Amana al-Muqaddasah – Exposition on the Creed.

9. Exposition on what the scriptures say about the passion or our Lord Jesus Christ until His ascension; including an introduction on the principals and methods of exposition on scripture. An old copy is present in the Eastern Library, the Roman Catholic Library in Aleppo, and the Library of Chori Bulus Sabat.