SCHOLARS BIOGRAPHIES

01

Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz

1330 AH 1420 AH
Source : http://binbaz.org.sa/ Translation : Al-Ibaanah.com

2013 Writings on Parchment 2013 Writings on Parchment

Contents:
Why Should We Learn About the Scholars? 3 His Name and Lineage .. 4 His Birth and Early Youth ... 4 His Teachers 5 His Educational and Religious Positions 6 His Books and Treatises ... 8 His Students . 9 His Physical Attributes and Appearance 10 His Death 10 Review . 11 Scholar Biography Fact Sheet 12

2013 Writings on Parchment

Why Should We Learn About the Scholars?

Allaah says in the Quran:

So ask the people of the Reminder (i.e. the people of knowledge) if you do not know [Surah Al-Anbiyaa (The Prophets) 21:07] It is important to learn about the Scholars in Islam because they are The Inheritors of the Prophets. Scholars are the ones who guide the Muslims and teach them the Book of Allaah and the sunnah of the Prophet Over the centuries, many deviations and innovations entered into Islam and people started practicing and believing things that were not from Islam. Since Allaah has promised that He will protect His religion till the End of Time, he sent exceptional individuals who revived and preserved the pure religion for the Muslims. The scholars expel the alterations of the innovators, refute the false claims of the liars, clear the incorrect interpretations of the ignorant and guide the Muslims to the authentic sunnah that was taught by the Prophet and practiced by his Companions.
Sunnah: any saying, action, approval, or attribute, whether physical or moral ascribed to the Prophet Innovation: a new method or idea Revive: restore, regain strength Refute: prove to be wrong or false

Additional Reading: Allaah Has Sent Great Scholars to Protect This Religion By Abu Khadeejah - Salafi Publications http://www.thenoblequran.com/sps/downloads/pdf/SLF030002.pdf

2013 Writings on Parchment

His Name and Lineage:

He was the noble and exemplary scholar, Abdul-Azeez bin Abdillaah bin Abdir-Rahmaan bin Muhammad bin Abdillaah Aali Baaz, may Allaah have mercy on him. Baaz was a family that had deep roots in knowledge, business, and agriculture. They were known for their virtues and character.

Bin /Ibn: son of Dhul-Hijjah: the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar Shaykh: Muslim scholar Salaf or Salaf-us-Saalih: the first three generations of the Muslims (i.e. the Sahabah, the Tabieen and the Taba Tabi-een) Hadith Qudsi: a saying of Allaah in the words of the Prophet Haafiz: memorizer

His Birth and Early Youth:

He was born in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, on the 12 th of Dhul-Hijjah 1330 AH (1909 C.E). This is where he spent his childhood, adolescence and early adult years. Shaykh Ibn Baaz was raised in an environment engrossed in knowledge, since Riyadh at that time was filled with scholars and people of guidance. Shaykh Ibn Baaz first started learning the Quran as was the custom of the Salaf, who would memorize and master the Quran before moving onto other subjects. So he memorized the entire Quran before reaching the age of puberty. He then went on to study at the hands of the scholars in his area.

It is also important to note that his mother, may Allaah have mercy on her, played a large role in his path towards knowledge, since she would be the one who would constantly encourage and motivate him towards acquiring knowledge, as the Shaykh stated in one of his lectures. Shaykh Ibn Baaz had sight for the part of his life. Then due to Allaahs infinite wisdom, He willed that the Shaykhs sigh weaken due to an eye disease in 1346 AH (1925 C.E), which eventually led to him completely losing his eyesight in 1350 AH (1929 C.E) when he was close to twenty years of age. Remarkably, losing his eyesight was a means of benefit for Shaykh Ibn Baaz, since he was able to achieve several advantages of which we will mention four, as an example and not to limit: 1. Reward from Allaah: Imaam al-Bukhaari reported in his Saheeh in a hadith qudsi, in which Allaah said; If I deprive my slave of his two beloved things (i.e. his eyes), and he remains patient, I will let him enter Paradise in compensation for them. [Sahih al-Bukhaari Book #70 Hadith #557] 2. Strong Memorization: Shaykh Ibn Baaz was the Haafiz of this era when it came to Knowledge of Hadith. If you were to ask him about a hadith found in the Six Collections of Hadith or other collections, you would find him well versed in the hadiths chain of narration, textual wording, and the scholars who spoke on it, its narrators and its explanation.

2013 Writings on Parchment

5 3. Lack of Interest in Worldly Splendors: Shaykh Ibn Baaz refrained from chasing after the pleasures of the worldly life, living an abstentious and humble lifestyle. 4. High Determination: Losing sight, only made Shaykh Ibn Baaz more determined and perseverant in his quest for seeking and acquiring knowledge, to the point that he became one of the senior scholars, known throughout the world. Allaah indeed replaced the light in his eyes with light in his heart, love for knowledge, and following of the Prophets Sunnah.

His Teachers:
After memorizing the Quran, Shaykh Ibn Baaz, may Allaah have mercy on him, went on to study the other Islaamic sciences under many of the scholars of Riyadh, the most prominent of whom were: 1. Shaykh Muhammad bin Abdil -Lateef Aali Shaikh, the great-great grandson of Imaam Muhammad bin AbdilWahhaab 2. Shaykh Saalih bin Abdil-Azeez Aali Shaikh, the greatgreat grandson of Imaam Muhammad bin Abdil-Wahhaab and the Chief Judge of Riyadh 3. Shaykh Saad bin Hamad Al-Ateeq, Judge of Riyadh 4. Shaykh Hamad bin Faaris, Vice-Chancellor of the Treasury of Riyadh 5. Shaykh Saad Waqqaas Al-Bukhaaree, from the scholars of Makkah whom he learned the science of Tajweed in 1355H 6. Shaykh Muhammad bin Ibraaheem Aali Shaikh, former Chief Muftee of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He attended his study circles for about ten years, learning all of the Islamic sciences from him, from 1347H to 1357H, when his teacher nominated him to be a judge. May Allah have mercy on all of them.
Muftee: scholar capable of giving fatwa Imaam Muhammad bin Abdil-Wahhaab: One of the most famous scholars and revivers of Islamic history Chancellor: senior state or legal official Tajweed: the rules governing the recitation of the Quran

2013 Writings on Parchment

His Educational and Religious Positions:

Shaykh Ibn Baaz was well known throughout the Muslim world for his religious verdicts (fataawaa) and his beneficial books. He would preside over committees for educational seminars in Saudi Arabia, and give various lectures over the telephone to Muslims outside of the Kingdom. He would also answer the questions of the people over the radio and during the blessed times of Hajj and Ramadaan. And his words would appear in Muslim newspapers, magazines, and articles throughout the world. 1. He served as a Judge in the Kharj District of Saudi Arabia for fourteen years from 1357H to 1371H 2. He taught at the Educational Institute of Riyadh in 1372H and in the College of Shareeah after its inception in 1373H, covering the subjects of Fiqh, Tawheed and Hadeeth. He remained in this teaching position for nine years until 1380H. 3. In 1381H, he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic University of Madeenah, where he served until 1390H. 4. He was then appointed as the Chancellor of the Islamic University of Madeenah in 1390H, after its former Chancellor, Shaikh Muhammad bin Ibraaheem Aali Shaikh died in Ramadaan of 1389H. He remained in this position until 1395H. 5. In 1395H, the King ordered that Shaykh Ibn Baaz be appointed as Head of the Council for Islamic Research, Verdicts, Dawah and Guidance. He held this position until 1414H 6. In 1414H, the King appointed Shaykh Ibn Baaz as the Chief Muftee of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He held this position along with being the Head of the Council of Senior Scholars and the Head of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Verdicts until his death
Fatwa (plural Fataawaa): legal judgment or learned interpretation on issues pertaining to Islamic Law Shareeah: Islamic Law. It is made up of two things: 1) The laws dictated in the Quran by Allaah. 2) The laws revealed to the Prophet and that are taken from the lifestyle (Sunnah) of the Prophet The Shareeah comes strictly from the Quran and Sunnah and just like how the Quran and Sunnah do not change, the Shareeah does not change. Whatever Allah and His Messenger have made permissible will always be permissible. And whatever they have made forbidden will always be forbidden. Dawah: Inviting and calling others to Islam Tawheed: Islamic Monotheism i.e the belief in the Oneness of Allaah.

2013 Writings on Parchment

7 He also held the following positions: 1. President of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Verdicts 2. President and Member of the Founding Committee for the Muslim World League 3. President of the World Supreme Council for Mosques 4. President of the Islamic Fiqh Assembly in Makkah, which is under the Muslim World League 5. Member of the Higher Council of the Islamic University of Madeenah,
Fiqh: Islamic Jurisprudence. Making rulings and judgements from evidence found in the Shareeah, that is, the Quran and Sunnah, and from the consensus (agreement) of Islamic scholars. Fiqh does not necessarily come directly from the Quran and Sunnah. But it comes indirectly from these sources. Fiqh does not override Shareeah and is used to create laws for matters not specifically addressed by the Shareeah. Eg : Smoking What Are The Primary Differences Between Fiqh And Shareeah? Fiqh and Shareeah are related and they are both aspects of Islamic Law. But there are significant differences: Shareeah cannot be changed. But Fiqh can change based on new information Shareeah is broad and general. Fiqh focuses on narrow and specific issues. Shareeah comes from the Quran and Sunnah. Fiqh comes from the Shareeah.

2013 Writings on Parchment

His Books and Treatises:

Even though the Shaykh was pressed for time as a result of his duties and role in giving dawah and educating, he still made time to write books and treatises that addressed important issues, which the Muslims were in need of knowledge of. Amongst his most famous works were: 1. The Obligation of Following the Sunnah 2. The Ideological Attack 3. The Life and Call of Imaam Muhammad bin Abdil-Wahhaab 4. Three Treatises on the Prayer 5. The Correct Belief and What Opposes It 6. Important Lessons for the Muslim Ummah 7. A Criticism of Arab Nationalism 8. The Dangers of Tabarruj 9. Two Essays on Fasting and Zakaat 10. The Ruling on Pictures 11. The Ruling on Celebrating the Prophets Birthday 12. A Warning Against Innovations And there are many more books which can be read and printed at the Shaykhs official web site www.binbaz.org.sa. This was in addition to his many fataawaa (religious verdicts) that were collected, compiled and published, which range in numerous volumes.

2013 Writings on Parchment

His Students:
Shaykh Ibn Baaz, may Allaah have mercy on him, had numerous students that would attend his classes and study circles. The most famous and distinguished among them were: 1. Muhammad bin Saalih Al-Uthaimeen, former member of the Council of Senior Scholars and a renowned scholar in his own right, may Allaah have mercy on him 2. Abdullah bin Hasan Al-Quood, member of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fataawaa and of the Council of Senior Scholars 3. Abdullaah bin Abdir-Rahmaan Al-Ghudayyaan, member of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fataawaa and of the Council of Senior Scholars 4. Abdul-Muhsin Al-Abbaad, former Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic University of Madeenah 5. Saalih bin Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan, current member of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fataawaa and of the Council of Senior Scholars 6. Rabee bin Haadee al-Madhkhalee 7. Abdul-Azeez bin Abdillaah ar-Raajihee

2013 Writings on Parchment

10

His Physical Attributes and Appearance:

They Shaykh may Allaah have mercy on him, was of medium build, and neither tall nor short. He had a round face and was of a golden-brown color. He had a curved nose and a beard that was short on the cheeks but thick below the chin. His beard used to be black, but when too many white hairs started showing, he dyed it with henna. He would always try to wear white garments, and would love wide clothes, and thawbs that would reach the middle of his shin. Indeed, his description resembled that of many of the scholars before him.

His Death:
Shaykh Ibn Baaz passed away on Thursday, the 27th of Muharram, 1420H (5/13/1999), due to heart failure. He was 89 years old at the time. Millions of people throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gathered to witness his funeral prayer and he was buried in the Adl Cemetery in Makkah. Muslims throughout the world mourned his loss. May Allaah have mercy on his soul and grant him the highest ranks in Jannah. Ameen.

2013 Writings on Parchment

11

Assignment:
1. As you read (or after), fill in the Scholar Biography Fact Sheet (at the end of these notes), for Shaykh Ibn Baaz. 2. Explain in your own words what it means to be The Inheritors of the Prophets. 3. How old was Shaykh Ibn Baaz when he died? 4. Make an Islamic Studies notebook and make a section for Scholars biographies. Include this scholar biography sheet that you have completed. Also, make a table of contents for this section so that you can keep track of the scholars you have studied.

Explore!
1. Look up the Permanent Committee of Islamic Research and Fatawaa on the internet and write a brief description about it. *Bonus point if you can find their website!

Words to Know:
1. Write the definitions of the following words: a. Tawheed b. Muftee c. Innovation d. Fiqh e. Salaf f. Shareeah

2013 Writings on Parchment

12 Scholar Biography Fact Sheet Use this sheet to record data about a past or present Muslim scholar. Name: Place of Birth: Date of Birth: Died: (date/place) Facts about childhood/early adulthood:

Scholars teachers / those who influenced him.

Subjects he concentrated in: Some of his students:

Some of his works (title/year published or written) Notable events in his life or noteworthy facts about this scholar:

[ Template from TJ Islamic Studies ]

2013 Writings on Parchment