Biography of Shaykh ‘Abdullah bin Hasan bin Qu’ood

Shaykh ‘Abdullah bin Hasan bin Qu’ood – may Allah have mercy upon him- was born on the 17^th of Ramadan in the year 1343 A.H., in the municipality of al-Hariq, south of Riyadh. Since a young age, he was raised in an observant and affluent home, cherished by his parents. His father placed him in a Quran school where he learned the basics of writing and reading the Quran under Shaykh Muhammad bin Sa’d Aali Sulaymaan. After this, he memorized the Quran and some of the abridged works of Shaykh-ul-Islam, Ibn Tayymiyyah, and al-Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab, under the judge of the land at that time, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Aziz bin Ibraaheem Aali ‘Abdil-Lateef – may Allah, Most High, have mercy upon them all. 

Upon completion of his studies and reaching adolescence, he traveled to seek more advanced knowledge in ad-Dilam, the territory of al-Kharj, the main place of knowledge in that region in those days. There he studied under the tutelage of his eminence, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin ‘Abdillah bin Baaz – may Allah have mercy upon him-for four years from the date of his travels in the year 1367 A.H. He memorized several prominent Islamic texts such as al-‘Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah, Kitaab-ut-Tawheed, Buloogh-ul-Maraam, al-Aajuroomiyyah, Alfiyyah Ibn Maalik, and Nukhbat-ul-Fikr, in addition to other texts that were being taught. During his studies with Shaykh Bin Baaz, the Shaykh compiled a hand written copy of Buloogh-ul-Maraam that comprised all of the useful points of relevance Shaykh Bin Baaz covered during his lessons. Shaykh Qu’ood made several copies of it for the students to share and gain insight from their studies by utilizing it.  

When the Ma’ahad ‘Ilmee (literally: the Institute of Knowledge) opened in the year 1371 A.H., he studied until he graduated from the College of Islamic Law in the year of 1377 A.H. From the scholars that he studied under in the institute:

Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzaaq ‘Afeefee – may Allah have mercy upon him , Shaykh Muhammad al-Ameen ash-Shinqitee and Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahman al-Afriqee both of them professors at the institute. And in the science of Tajweed (Quranic recitation), he was the pupil of Shaykh Sa’d Waqqaas al-Bukhaaree in Makkah after the Hajj of 1370 A.H. 

The Shaykh held a number of work positions, such as:

In 1375 A.H., he was appointed as a teacher in the Institutes of Islamic Knowledge. 

In 1380 A.H., he transferred to the Criminal Courts as a judge. 

In 1397 A.H., he transferred to the presidency of the Administration for Islamic Research and Rulings where he worked as a member as well as the Permanent Committee and Organization of Major Scholars. 

In 1406 A.H., he retired. 

In addition to this, the Shaykh also spent time in the field of preaching during his lessons and lectures. He assisted the University of King Saud by giving lectures to the students in the advanced studies program of the Department of Islamic Studies in the College of Education. Due to his notable efforts and expertise in the field of sermons, the Shaykh was appointed as the Imam and Preacher of Masjid al-Masheeqeeq in Riyadh, in 1378 A.H. In 1391 A.H., he was appointed as the Preacher of Jaami’-ul-Murabba’ until Masjid al-Masheeqeq was restored in 1418 A.H. 

The Shaykh was known for possessing the best of manners in everything he did. He smiled a lot and always exhibited generosity, spending his wealth to help the poor and benefit the students of knowledge. He tenaciously followed the Quran and Sunnah without blind following, and whenever he was sought for a legal ruling, whether by one approaching him in the mosque or over the phone, the Shaykh answered to the best of his ability. The Shaykh always spoke the truth, and most of his talks centered on knowledge and seeking it. 

As for the Shaykh’s works, then his most acclaimed is a compilation of his Friday sermons printed in four volumes. He also worked for the Ministry of Education verifying and adding commentary to some of the Middle and High School religious textbooks in the fields of Hadeeth and Fiqh. He has a number of short treatises in various Islamic subjects and hundreds of legal verdicts that he gave while a member of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Islamic Rulings. 

The Shaykh had many students who benefited from him in his sermons, daily lessons, lectures, and from his Islamic rulings. The Shaykh used to arrange knowledge-based lessons for three days out of the week from Saturday to Monday after the Sunset Prayer. After the Friday Prayer he gave lessons from the following books: Tayseer-ul-‘Azeez al-Hameed which is an explanation of Kitaab-ut-Tawheed, ad-Deen al-Khaalis, an abridged version of as-Sawaa’iq al-Murasalah, Buloogh-ul-Maraam along with its explanation Subul-as-Salaam, Saheeh-ul-Bukhaari, Iqtidhaa-us-Siraat-il-Mustaqeem, in conjunction with the students reading many texts in different disciplines like: Tafseer Ibn Katheer, Zaad-ul-Ma’aad, and Saheeh-ul-Bukhaari. 

From the most well-known students of the Shaykh: Badr bin ‘Abdullah al-Fallaah, Husayn bin Muhammad al-Majrashee, Hamad bin ‘Abdul-‘Azeez al-‘Aasim, Khaalid bin Muhammad al-Ghaamdee, Khalid bin Ma’oodh al-Mutayree, Dr. Ahmad bin Saalih al-‘Abd as-Salaam, Dr. Badr bin Naasir al-Badr, Dr. Habeeb Zayn-ul-‘Aabideen, the Deputy for the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Dr. Hamad bin ‘Abdul-Muhsin at-Tuwayjiree, Dr. Sa’d bin Turkee al-Kathlaan, Dr. Sa’d bin ‘Abdullah al-Hameed, Dr. Sa’d bin Fallaah al-Areefee, Dr. Sa’d bin Matr al-‘Utaybee, Dr. ‘Abdul-Azeez bin ‘Abdul-Muhsin at-Turkee, his Eminence Shaykh Saalih bin ‘Abdil-‘Azeez Aali ash-Shaykh, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, and many others too many to name. 

The Shaykh was afflicted with an injury due to an excessive amount of head surgeries. This caused him to be bed ridden for nearly six years and eventually he went blind. He passed away at nine o’clock in the morning on Wednesday the 8^th of Ramadan 1426 A.H. Funeral services were held after the Afternoon Prayer in the al-Imam Turki bin ‘Abdullah Community Mosque in the city of Riyadh. The prayer was led by the Mufti, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin ‘Abdillah Aali ash-Shaykh. The prayer was attended by Prince Salmaan bin ‘Abdil-‘Azeez, a group of Major Scholars, and a significant amount of worshippers that filled the mosque. The Shaykh was buried in al-‘Uood Cemetery – may Allah have mercy upon him - and place him in the spacious gardens of Paradise. 

Compiled and Translated from various Arabic sources by  Thomas Maldonado

References (some links may not work): 

http://www.aldrs.com/scholar/19/

The Arabic source for this biography was based off of Majmoo’ Rasaail wa Maqaalaat ash-Shaykh ‘Abdillah bin Hasan Aali Qu’ood, supervised by Shaykh ‘Abdullah bin Sulaymaan bin ‘Abdillah Aali Manhaa. 

Another Arabic biography of the Shaykh at Daar-ul-Ifta’s official site:

http://www.alifta.net/Fatawa/MoftyDetails.aspx?Type=Mofty&section=tafseer&ID=3

And another, from the Shaykh’s official site:

http://alqaoud.net/about.php?t=0

An excellent biography of the Shaykh in English:

http://www.fatwa-online.com/abdullaah-ibn-quood/

Does Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan have a Facebook page?

His eminence, ash-Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan al-Fawzaan, may Allah protect him, peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. To proceed:

I noticed that while I was searching on the network site, Facebook, that there are three profiles that carry your name, with various topics (from you).

My question is this, does his eminence have a profile on the Facebook site, and what is its address? And are any of the profiles that carry your name supported by you? May Allah protect you.

Response: And may peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. I do not have any profile with this aforementioned site, I do not have any connection to it nor do I know of it. The only reliable site that I have approved is my personal site which is run by Mu’assasah ad-Da’wah al-Khairiyyah (the Charitable Organization for Islamic Invitation), for the sake of clarity reference is cited. I do not permit anyone or the construction of any site or profile within any sites unless my written permission has been given.

Written by Saalih Fawzaan al-Fawzaan
6/3/1432 A.H.

Translated by Thomas Maldonado
Source: http://www.alfawzan.ws/node/13197

Biography of His Eminence the Mufti of Saudi Arabia, ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aali ash-Shaykh

Position: General Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and President of the Administration for Knowledge-based Research and Islamic Rulings.

Date of Appointment as Mufti: 1/29/1420 A.H.

Positions in which he worked: He worked as an assistant professor for the Islamic University of Muhammad bin Sa’ood then as a member of the Permanent Committee for Research and Islamic Rulings.

Date of Birth: 1360 A.H.

His lineage: ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin ‘Abdillah bin Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Lateef Aali ash-Shaykh

His childhood: He was born in ar-Riyaadh in 1360 A.H. and since his youth he was stricken with weak eyesight until he totally lost it in 1381 A.H.

His seeking knowledge: He began seeking knowledge by studying the Noble Quran in the Ahmad bin Sanaan mosque where he memorized it at the age of twelve. Then he sought knowledge with the scholars in their study circles. In the year 1375 A.H. he enrolled into the institute Imaam ad-Da’wah and graduated from the college of Sharee’ah (Islamic Law) in 1383 /1384 A.H. He would also attend some of the scholars' study circles in the various mosques.

His Accomplishments: His life of knowledge began after graduating from the college of Islamic Law in the year 1384 A.H. He worked as a teacher in the same institute until the year 1392 A.H. He then transferred to teach in the college of Islamic Law in ar-Riyaadh and remained there until the year 1412 A.H. Then he became a member of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings and in the year 1416 A.H. he was appointed as a representative for the General Mufti of the Kingdom. Before that he was appointed as a member of the Council for the Organization of Major Scholars in 1407 A.H.

His Efforts in addition to his work: He held the position of Imam for the Friday prayer in the ash-Shaykh ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdil-Lateef mosque since 1390 A.H. then he transferred into the Imam position of the al-Imaam Turkee bin ‘Abdillah mosque in 1412 A.H. He has given the sermon in Nimrah mosque on the day of ‘Arafah since 1402 A.H. During his time teaching at the college of Islamic Law he supervised some of the university doctorates, participated in various panels, in addition to participating in Islamic rulings on the program Noor ‘alaa ad-Darb since 1414 A.H. He held several study circles in the al-Imaam Turkee mosque in ar-Riyaadh and was active in participating in several conferences and lectures as well as being involved in Da’wah (Islamic Propagation) in ar-Riyaadh and at-Taaif.

Source: http://www.mufti.af.org.sa/node/1456
Translated by: Thomas Maldonado

Biography of Shaykh ‘Abdullah bin Jaar Allah

He is ash-Shaykh ‘Abdullah bin Jaar Allah bin Ibraaheem Aali Jaar Allah. His lineage is traced back to the Nawaasir tribe of the Banoo Tameem. He was born in al-Mudhnib in the region of al-Qaseem. He had a righteous upbringing and from his youth he studied writing and memorized the Quran with his father. He traveled to ar-Riyaadh in the year 1368 A.H. and again in 1374 A.H. He took knowledge from ash-Shaykh Muhmamd bin Ibraaheem Aali ash-Shaykh. In the year 1375 A.H. he attended the Imaam-ad-Da’wah Institute where he studied under a number of scholars, from them ash-Shaykh Ismaa’eel bin Muhammad al-Ansaaree, as well as others.

He graduated from this institute in 1379 A.H. and then he attended the College of ash-Shar’eeah (Islamic Law) in ar-Riyaadh where he graduated in 1384 A.H. He was appointed as a teacher by the Ministry of Education. He taught in the middle schools in Haail and Buraydah in 1386 A.H. Then he moved to ar-Riyaadh for the same type of work. He then attended the Advanced Institute for Islamic Judges where he obtained his Masters in al-Fiqh al-Muqaarin (Comparative Islamic Jurisprudence) in the year 1399 A.H. In the year 1403 A.H. he moved to teach in the high schools and remained there until he had to retire because of his failing health.

He was one who constantly engaged in all acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, and supplications. He is mentioned with loving knowledge, with reviewing it and studying with others. He spent his time in that which was beneficial. He was humble and always smiling. He was patient, generous, and compassionate for the poor and the needy. He exerted all of his efforts, work time, free time, and wealth in the path of calling to Allah, advising and counseling, with money and by the pen. He died in Makkah al-Mukarramah in the spring of the 20th of Ramadhaan.

It has been mentioned that he authored more than one hundred and fifty treatises, mostly short and beneficial that treated the important issues that the general people were in need of knowing. Many have been printed and distributed with wide acceptance, and many have benefited from them.

Source: http://www.alukah.net/Web/jarallah/CV/
Translated by Thomas Maldonado
Visit the Shaykh's site (Arabic): http://www.alukah.net/Web/jarallah

Biography of ash-Shaykh al-‘Alaamah ‘Abdil-Azeez bin Baaz

He is the exemplary Scholar, the Zaahid, mild and forbearing in nature, the Faqeeh, the Muhaddith, the Scholar of Usool and Tawheed, Abu ‘Abdillah ‘Abdil-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abdillah ibn ‘Abdir-Rahmaan ibn Baaz born in the city of Riyaadh on the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, 1330 A.H. (Corresponding to the 12th of November, 1912 C.E.) from a good and noble family.

He memorized the Quran before reaching the age of maturity and because of illness lost his eyesight completely at the age of 19, yet despite this he went on to study the Islamic sciences and the Arabic language under a number of major scholars in Riyaadh, from them:

• Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Lateef bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan bin Hasan bin ash-Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhaab (rahimahumullah).

• Shaykh Saalih ibn Abdil-Azeez Aali-Shaykh bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan bin Husayn bin ash-Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhaab (rahimahumullah).

• Shaykh Sa’d bin Hamad bin ‘Ateeq, the Judge of Riyaadh (rahimahullah).

• Shaykh Hamad bin Faaris, the treasurer of the Bayt-ul-Maal in Riyaadh (rahimahullah).

• Shaykh Sa’d Waqaas al-Bukhaaree from the ‘Ulamaa of Makkah (rahimahullah).

• The Eminent Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem Aali-Shaykh who, in his time, was the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia. Shaykh bin Baaz accompanied him and learned from him for about ten years from 1347 to 1357 A.H. where he later elected him to serve as judge.

Thus he gained his religious education from the family of Imaam Muhammad ibn 'Abdul-Wahhaab (rahimahullah).


Shaykh Ibn Baaz excelled in the various branches of Islamic sciences. He devoted all of his life to the Cause of Islam and its people, authoring many books, teaching and serving the masses, while also aiding the spread of correct knowledge world-wide.

He served in the judiciary as a Justice for fourteen years, until he was transferred to the education faculty. He remained engaged in teaching for nine years at Riyaadh Islamic law College, Riyaadh Religious Institute. Then he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic University in Madeenah. Shortly thereafter, he was made the Chancellor with full administrative powers.

Later he was appointed President of the General Presidency of Islamic Research, Islamic Rulings, Call and Propagation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and then finally was made the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia.

He was also the President of many Islamic Committees and Councils, the most prominent of these are: the Senior Scholars Committee of Saudi Arabia, the Permanent Committee for Islamic and Educational Research, the Founding Committee of Muslim World League, World Supreme Council for Mosques, Islamic Jurisprudence Assembly of Makkah; and member of the Supreme Council of the Islamic University of Madeenah, and the Supreme Committee for Islamic Propagation.

He belonged to the Hanbali School of Jurisprudence, but his legal verdicts were based on evidences taken from the Quran and Sunnah as he himself said:

“My Madhhab (Islamic fundamentals of rite) in Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) is the Madhhab of Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (rahimahullah) and that is not by way of Taqleed (blind following) but rather it is built upon adherence to the fundamentals that he followed. As for the affairs of difference of opinion then my Manhaj (methodology) concerning it is giving precedence to whatever the evidences mandate to be given preference, and this also applies to the fatwa (legal ruling), whether it agrees with the Madhhab of the Hanbalees or not, and that is because the truth has more right to be followed.”

From some of his literary works:

• Al-Fawaaid-ul-Jaleelah fee al-Mubaahith-il-Fardhiyyah (Glorious Benefits concerning Research of the Obligatory matters)

• At-Tahqeeq wal-Iydhaah li-Katheeri min Masaail-il-Hajj wal-‘Umrah waz-Ziyaarah (Verifying and Clarification concerning the many issues surrounding Hajj, ‘Umrah and Visiting the Prophet )

• At-Tahdheer min-al-Bid’ee (Warning from Innovations) which includes four articles such as, “the Ruling concerning Celebrating the Birthday of the Prophet.”

• Risaalataani Moojizataani fee az-Zakaati was-Siyaam (Two Summarized Treatises concerning Zakah and Fasting)

• Al-‘Aqeedat-us-Saheehah wa Maa Yudhaaduhaa (the Correct Creed and what opposes it)

• Wujoob-ul-‘Amali bi-Sunnat-ir-Rasooli wa Kufru man Ankarhu (the Obligation of doing the righteous deed according to the Methodology of the Prophet and the Disbelief of the one who rejects it)

• Ad-Da’wah ila Allah wa Akhlaaq-ud-Du’aati (Inviting to the Path of Allah and the correct mannerisms of the missionaries)

• Wujoobu Tahkeemi Shar’illahi wa Nabdhu Maa Khaalafahu (The Obligation to Rule by Allah’s Divine Legislation and refuting the one who opposes it)

• Hukm-us-Sufoori wal-Hijaabi wa Nikaah-ish-Shaghaar (The Ruling concerning the woman who does not cover and the Ruling concerning Covering in addition to the Ruling concerning the marriage of ash-Shaghaar; when two men arrange to marry one another's female relative)

• Naqd-ul-Qawmiyyat-il-‘Arabiyyah (Refuting Arab Nationalism)

• Al-Jawaab-ul-Mufeed fee Hukm-it-Tasweer (the Beneficial Response concerning the Ruling on Picture Taking)

• Ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab, Da’watuhu wa Seeratuhu (ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab, his missionary work and biography)

• Three treatises regarding Prayer each entitled, Kayfiyya-tu-Salaat-in-Nabi (the Manner that the Prophet preformed the Prayer), Wujoobu Adaa-is-Salaati fee Jamaa’ah (the Obligation of performing the prayer with the congregation), and Ayna Yadha’u al-Musalee Yadyhi heena ar-Raf’u min ar-Ruku’oo (Where does the praying person place his hands when coming up from the bowing position?)

• Hukm-ul-Islaami feeman Ta’ana fee al-Quraan auw fee Rasoolullahi (the Islamic Ruling concerning the one who attacks the Quran and the Messenger of Allah )

• Haashiyyatun Mufeedun ‘alaa Fath-il-Baaree (Beneficial Notes upon Fath-ul-Baaree – the commentary of Saheeh-ul-Bukhaaree by Ibn-ul-Hajar al-‘Asqalaanee (rahimahullah) which he was only able to reach up to the Book of Hajj and then he passed away (rahimahullah).

• Iqaamat-ul-Baraaheen ‘alaa Hukmi man Istighaathi bighayrillahi auw Saddaqa al-Kahanah wal-‘Araafeen (Establishing the Evidences upon the Ruling of one who seeks aide from other than Allah or who believes the Fortune-Tellers and Palm-Readers)

• Al-Jihaad fee Sabeelillah (Fighting in the Path of Allah)

• Ad-Duroos-ul-Muhimmah li’Aammat-il-Ummah (Important Lessons for the General Body of Muslims)

• Fatawaa tata’allaqu bi-Ahkaam-il-Hajj wal-‘Umrah waz-Ziyaarah (Legal Islamic Rulings connected to Hajj, ‘Umrah and Visting the Prophet )

• Wujoobu Luzoom-is-Sunnah wal-Hadhr min-al-Bid’ah (the Obligation of Adhering to the Sunnah and Warning from Innovation)

He passed away at the age of eighty nine years on Thursday the 27th of Muharram in the year 1420 A.H. (Corresponding to May 13th 1999 C.E.) in Taaif. Prayers were held for him in Masjid Haram, Makkah on Friday the 28th of Muharram then he was buried in al-‘Adl Cemetery.

Compiled and Translated by Thomas Maldonado. This biography originally appeared in the English translation of the Shaykh's explanation to the Three Principles printed by al-Hujjah Publication.