Rabbi Shlomo Ibn Danan was born in Fez on Shabbat, 9 Sivan 5608 (June 10, 1848), into an old family of the city that had its own synagogue. His father, Rabbi Moshe, a scholar and author of halachic works, died at thirty on 18 Sivan 5617 (1857), leaving a boy of about ten who was raised by his grandfather, Rabbi Shmuel Ibn Danan, and his uncle, Rabbi Yitzchak Ibn Danan.

He studied first with his father and uncle, and later with Rabbi Avner Yisrael Hatzarfati. By sixteen he had begun the study of Kabbalah, and at eighteen he was appointed to teach Talmud in the local yeshiva.

Around 1875 he accompanied his uncle to the Land of Israel, where they spent thirty-three days visiting the holy places. Back in Fez he served as treasurer and administrator of the community, then as dayan; in Tammuz 5639 (1879) he joined the great rabbinical court alongside his uncle and Rabbi Yosef Serero. In 5679 (1919) the French authorities appointed him to the High Rabbinical Court of Appeals in Rabat, and in Shevat 5681 (1921) he returned to Fez as chief rabbi and head of its courts. The French authorities consulted him and referred cases between Jews to his court. He was the only rabbi authorized for chalitzah in all of Morocco, and he encouraged aliyah.

Works: the responsa Asher LiShlomo and Bikesh Shlomo, the latter published by his sons after his death. His students included Rabbi Matityahu Serero and his own sons, Rabbi Shaul Ibn Danan, later chief rabbi of Morocco, and Rabbi Moshe Ibn Danan, who succeeded him.

He fell ill in Cheshvan 5689 and passed away after Shabbat, on 28 Cheshvan 5689 (November 10, 1928). He is buried in Fez.