Jamal al-Din al-Dhabhani

Jamal al-Din al-Dhabhani, also known as the Mufti of Aden, is a significant figure in the early history of coffee. Historical accounts suggest that he encountered coffee during his travels in Ethiopia and brought the knowledge of the plant back to Yemen. By the mid-15th century, he was actively promoting the use of the beverage among the Sufi orders in Aden.

Al-Dhabhani recognized that the stimulating properties of the coffee drink could help his fellow Sufis maintain alertness during their nocturnal religious devotions. His endorsement was instrumental in the spread of coffee throughout the region, as it transitioned from a localized medicinal or ritualistic substance to a more widely consumed social and religious beverage. His influence helped establish the infrastructure for coffee cultivation and trade in the port city of Mocha.

Unlike the legendary accounts of Kaldi or Sheikh Omar, the role of Jamal al-Din al-Dhabhani is supported by more concrete historical records, including early texts on the history of coffee in the Ottoman Empire. He is often cited by historians as a key link in the transmission of coffee from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula.

In practice, al-Dhabhani’s contribution marks the transition of coffee into a structured industry. For the modern coffee professional, he represents the early intersection of trade, religion, and social habit that defines the global coffee supply chain today.