Ahmad, also known as Pateh Berbai, was the third Sultan of Brunei. He was the eldest son of Dewa Amas of Kayangan and the brother of the first sultan, Muhammad Shah of Brunei. It was under Sultan Ahmad that the kingdom adopted the name Brunei. Islamic education is thought to have begun in the country during the rule of his predecessor and continued under him.

Sultan Sharīf ʿAlī ibn Sharīf ʿAjlān ibn Sharīf Rumaithah ibn Sharīf Muḥammad Abu Numayy Al Awwal Al Akbar, also known as Blessed Ali, was the fourth Sultan of Brunei and son-in-law of the third Sultan of Brunei, Ahmad. He was also a scholar of Arab descent, originating from Ta'if, Sharifate of Mecca, present-day Saudi Arabia.