Muhammad ibn al Uthaymeen
Encyclopedia
Sheikh Abu 'Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Saalih ibn Muhammad ibn al-Uthaymeen at-Tamimi an-Najdi (Arabic
: أبو عبد الله محمد بن صالح بن محمد بن سليمان بن عبد الرحمن العثيمين التميمي) (March 9, 1925 – January 10, 2001) was one of the most prominent Sunni Islamic scholars of the latter half of the twentieth century. Born in Saudi Arabia
, he memorised the Qur'an
at an early age and studied under some of the most knowledgeable and highly regarded scholars of the time including: Abd ar-Rahman as-Saa'di, Muhammad Ash-Shanqeeti
, and 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn Baaz. During his many years of study, he became world renowned for his superior knowledge in fiqh
, eventually compiling over fifty books on the subject.
clan of the Quraysh tribe, in the Qaseem Region of Saudi Arabia
on 27th Ramadan
1347 AH
(1925 CE
).
studied under him. He was known for his own unique style of interpretation and explanation of religious points. He is regarded by Salafis as being from among those scholars who served Islam
without any type of religious prejudice and kept themselves away from the limitations of blind-following. He is distinguished in his great exertion of effort in religious matters and analogical deductions which clearly prove the religious understanding he possessed, and the correct usage of the principles of religion he adopted.
According to Salafis, in giving religious verdicts Uthaymeen's Fataawa
(i.e., rulings/verdicts) are based on the methodology of the Salaf
which is evidenced from Qur'an
and Sunnah
. He has roughly fifty compilations to his credit.
Uthaymeen delivered lectures in the Masjid al-Haram
in Mecca
for over thirty-five years. His lectures encompassed various subjects including Aqidah, Fiqh
, Hadith
and Tafsir
as well as books of theology by scholars such as Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn al-Qayyim
. Before his death, he taught at the Sharia
Faculty of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, Qaseem branch. He was also a member of the Senior Scholars Committee of Saudi Arabia, and was the imam
and Khatib
of the grand Mosque
of Unayzah.
Uthaymeen is regarded as one of the most influential scholars during the later part of the twentieth century, along with Muhammad Nassir ad-Deen al-Albani
and Abdul 'Azeez ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz.
He was awarded the King Faisal International Award in the service to Islam
on February 8, 1994.
He had many students from many countries who benefited greatly from him over the years. Many students from all over the world still continue to benefit from his books and tapes.
Uthaymeen died on Wednesday 15 Shawwal
, 1421 AH (January 10, 2001 CE) at the age of seventy-four. He was buried in Mecca
along with his peers among the scholars, including Abd-al-Aziz ibn Abd-Allah ibn Baaz
.
His works are well-known for their quality and thoroughness. Most of his books are easily understood by the layman while still provide the depth desired by students. All points and statements he makes in his books are founded on Qur'an
, authentic hadith
, and the understanding of the companions of Muhammad.
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
: أبو عبد الله محمد بن صالح بن محمد بن سليمان بن عبد الرحمن العثيمين التميمي) (March 9, 1925 – January 10, 2001) was one of the most prominent Sunni Islamic scholars of the latter half of the twentieth century. Born in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, he memorised the Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
at an early age and studied under some of the most knowledgeable and highly regarded scholars of the time including: Abd ar-Rahman as-Saa'di, Muhammad Ash-Shanqeeti
Muhammad Ash-Shanqeeti
Muhammad Al-Ameen Ibn Muhammad Al-Mukhtaar Ibn 'Abdil-Qaadir Al-Jaknee Ash-Shanqeetee was a Muslim scholar from Mauritania. His compound name was Muhammad Al-Ameen, just like the name of his father Muhammad Al-Ameen Ibn Muhammad Al-Mukhtaar Ibn 'Abdil-Qaadir Al-Jaknee Ash-Shanqeetee (1907–1973)...
, and 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn Baaz. During his many years of study, he became world renowned for his superior knowledge in fiqh
Fiqh
Fiqh is Islamic jurisprudence. Fiqh is an expansion of the code of conduct expounded in the Quran, often supplemented by tradition and implemented by the rulings and interpretations of Islamic jurists....
, eventually compiling over fifty books on the subject.
Birth
His full name was Abu 'Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Saalih ibn Muhammad ibn al-Uthaymeen at-Tamimi an-Najdi. Sheikh Uthaymeen, as he was most known, was born in the city of Unayzah to a family in the Banu TamimBanu Tamim
Banī Tamīm Tamim is one of the largest of all Arab tribes. Their history goes back to pre-Islamic times....
clan of the Quraysh tribe, in the Qaseem Region of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
on 27th Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
1347 AH
Islamic calendar
The Hijri calendar , also known as the Muslim calendar or Islamic calendar , is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to date events in many Muslim countries , and used by Muslims everywhere to determine the proper day on which to celebrate Islamic...
(1925 CE
Common Era
Common Era ,abbreviated as CE, is an alternative designation for the calendar era originally introduced by Dionysius Exiguus in the 6th century, traditionally identified with Anno Domini .Dates before the year 1 CE are indicated by the usage of BCE, short for Before the Common Era Common Era...
).
Education
He received his education from a number of well known scholars such as: 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn Naasir as-Saa'di, Muhammad Amin ash-Shanqeeti, and 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn Baaz.Career
When he entered into teaching, a great number of students from inside and outside Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
studied under him. He was known for his own unique style of interpretation and explanation of religious points. He is regarded by Salafis as being from among those scholars who served Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
without any type of religious prejudice and kept themselves away from the limitations of blind-following. He is distinguished in his great exertion of effort in religious matters and analogical deductions which clearly prove the religious understanding he possessed, and the correct usage of the principles of religion he adopted.
According to Salafis, in giving religious verdicts Uthaymeen's Fataawa
Fatwa
A fatwā in the Islamic faith is a juristic ruling concerning Islamic law issued by an Islamic scholar. In Sunni Islam any fatwā is non-binding, whereas in Shia Islam it could be considered by an individual as binding, depending on his or her relation to the scholar. The person who issues a fatwā...
(i.e., rulings/verdicts) are based on the methodology of the Salaf
Salaf
A Salaf is an early Muslim of the first three generations of proponents of the religion.-First generation:* See: List of SahabaThe Salaf are the first generation of Muslims, which included Muhammad's companions and followers at the time....
which is evidenced from Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
and Sunnah
Sunnah
The word literally means a clear, well trodden, busy and plain surfaced road. In the discussion of the sources of religion, Sunnah denotes the practice of Prophet Muhammad that he taught and practically instituted as a teacher of the sharī‘ah and the best exemplar...
. He has roughly fifty compilations to his credit.
Uthaymeen delivered lectures in the Masjid al-Haram
Masjid al-Haram
Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām is the largest mosque in the world. Located in the city of Mecca, it surrounds the Kaaba, the place which Muslims worldwide turn towards while performing daily prayers and is Islam's holiest place...
in Mecca
Mecca
Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level...
for over thirty-five years. His lectures encompassed various subjects including Aqidah, Fiqh
Fiqh
Fiqh is Islamic jurisprudence. Fiqh is an expansion of the code of conduct expounded in the Quran, often supplemented by tradition and implemented by the rulings and interpretations of Islamic jurists....
, Hadith
Hadith
The term Hadīth is used to denote a saying or an act or tacit approval or criticism ascribed either validly or invalidly to the Islamic prophet Muhammad....
and Tafsir
Tafsir
Tafseer is the Arabic word for exegesis or commentary, usually of the Qur'an. Ta'wīl is a subset of tafsir and refers to esoteric or mystical interpretation. An author of tafsir is a mufassir .- Etymology :...
as well as books of theology by scholars such as Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn al-Qayyim
Ibn al-Qayyim
Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr...
. Before his death, he taught at the Sharia
Sharia
Sharia law, is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia is derived from two primary sources of Islamic law: the precepts set forth in the Quran, and the example set by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah. Fiqh jurisprudence interprets and extends the application of sharia to...
Faculty of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, Qaseem branch. He was also a member of the Senior Scholars Committee of Saudi Arabia, and was the imam
Imam
An imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question...
and Khatib
Khatib
Khatib or khateeb is an Arabic term used to describe a person who delivers the sermon , during the Friday prayer and Eid prayers....
of the grand Mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
of Unayzah.
Uthaymeen is regarded as one of the most influential scholars during the later part of the twentieth century, along with Muhammad Nassir ad-Deen al-Albani
Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee
Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani was an influential Albanian Salafi Islamic scholar of the 20th Century; he specialised in the fields of hadith and fiqh. He was also a prolific writer and speaker.-Early life:...
and Abdul 'Azeez ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz.
He was awarded the King Faisal International Award in the service to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
on February 8, 1994.
Character and Death
Uthaymeen was famous for his simplicity, modesty, and exceptional mannerisms towards all those he encountered, as well as his exceptional manners in approach to topics free of dogmatic arguments.He had many students from many countries who benefited greatly from him over the years. Many students from all over the world still continue to benefit from his books and tapes.
Uthaymeen died on Wednesday 15 Shawwal
Shawwal
Shawwāl is the tenth month of the lunar Islamic calendar. Shawwāl means to ‘lift or carry’; so named because she-camels normally would be carrying a fetus at this time of year.-Fasting during Shawwāl:...
, 1421 AH (January 10, 2001 CE) at the age of seventy-four. He was buried in Mecca
Mecca
Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level...
along with his peers among the scholars, including Abd-al-Aziz ibn Abd-Allah ibn Baaz
Abd-al-Aziz ibn Abd-Allah ibn Baaz
Abdul Aziz ibn Abdullah ibn Baz , was a Saudi Arabian Islamic scholar, considered as one of the renowned Sunni Muslim scholars of the twentieth century...
.
Tafsir (Explanation of the meanings of the Qur'an)
- Tafsir Ayat al-Kursi
- Tafsir Juz Amma
- Tafsir Surah al-BaqarahAl-BaqaraSura al-Baqarah is the second and longest chapter of the Qur'an. It is a Medinan sura and comprises 286 verses, including the single longest verse in the Qur'an...
- Tafsir Surah al-KahfAl-KahfSura al-Kahf "The Cave" is the 18th surah of the Qur'an with 110 ayat. It is a Meccan sura.-People of the Cave:Verses 9 – 26 of the chapter tell the story of the People of the Cave . Some number of young monotheistic men lived in a time where they were persecuted. They fled the city together, and...
Hadith (Sayings and Deeds of the Prophet Muhammad)
- Kitab al-Ilm
- Sharh Riyadh as-SaaliheenRiyadh as-SaaliheenRiyadh as-Saaliheen, translated: "The Gardens of the Righteous", is a compilation of verses from the Qur'an and hadith by Yahiya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi.- Description :...
- Mustalahah Hadeeth
Aqeedah (Islamic Creed)
- Aqeedah Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah
- Qawaa'id Muthla fi Sifaati Allah wa Asmaa'ihil Husna
- Qawl Mufiid ala Kitab al-Tawhid
- Sharh al-Aqeedat Al-Hamawiyyah (link to English translation)
- Sharh al-Aqeedat Al-Waasittiyah
- Sharh Kashf ash-Shubuhaat
- Sharh Lum'at al-I'tiqad
- Sharh Usool al-Iman (link to English translation)
- Sharh Usool al-Thalaathah (link to English translation)
- What you must believe about your Creator (Sharh Hadeeth Jibra'eel)
- How do we believe in the Last Day? (Sharh Hadeeth Jibra'eel)
- Are We Forced or do we have Free Will? (Sharh Hadeeth Jibra'eel)
Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence)
- Fataawa Arkan Islam
- Majmoo' al-Fataawa
- Ash-Sharh al-Mumti, an explanation of Zaad al-Mustaqni
- Umdat al-Ahkam
His works are well-known for their quality and thoroughness. Most of his books are easily understood by the layman while still provide the depth desired by students. All points and statements he makes in his books are founded on Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
, authentic hadith
Hadith
The term Hadīth is used to denote a saying or an act or tacit approval or criticism ascribed either validly or invalidly to the Islamic prophet Muhammad....
, and the understanding of the companions of Muhammad.
External links
- Shaykh Uthaymeen's Website (Arabic language)
- Some videos of Shaykh Uthaymeen
- Assorted Images and Press Clippings Regarding the Death of Shaykh Uthaymeen
- Interview with the Wife of Muhammad ibn Uthaymeen Regarding his Life
- Biography's Source
- Jewels of Guidance (selected words and incidents from the life of Shaykh Uthaymeen)
- Comprehensive collection of Shaykh Uthaymeen Articles and Books
- Shaykh Uthaymeen on innovations
- How Muslims Should Behave in Non-Muslim Societies by Shaykh Uthaymeen
- An Erudite and Devout Scholar with an Independent Opinion