Muhammad ibn al Uthaymeen

Islamic scholar Al Uthaymeen
Title	Shaykh
Born	March 9, 1925 Unaizah, Saudi Arabia
Died	January 5, 2001(2001-01-05) (aged 75) Unaizah, Saudi Arabia
Ethnicity	Arab
Region	Saudi Arabian scholar
Maddhab	Hanbali
School tradition	Sunni – Salafi
Main interests	Fiqh
Influences	Abd ar-Rahman as-Saa'di Muhammad Ash-Shanqeeti 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn Baaz

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.

Biography

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 Tamim clan of the Quraysh tribe, in the Qaseem Region of Saudi Arabia on 27th Ramadan 1347 AH (1925 CE).

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 Arabia 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.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.

Works

Shaikh Uthaymeen's well known works include:

Tafsir (Explanation of the meanings of the Qur'an)

• Tafsir Ayat al-Kursi
• Tafsir Juz Amma
• Tafsir Surah al-Baqarah
• Tafsir Surah al-Kahf

Hadith (Sayings and Deeds of the Prophet Muhammad)

• Kitab al-Ilm
• Sharh Riyadh as-Saaliheen
• 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.^{[citation needed]} 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.

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

Persondata
Name	Muhammad Ibn Al Uthaymeen
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	March 29, 1925
Place of birth
Date of death	January 5, 2001
Place of death