Salafus-Saaliheen سلف صالحين

His Name and Birth:
His name was Mohammad Amaan bin ‘Alee Jamee ‘Alee, and he would go by the nickname Abu Ahmad. He was born and raised in Ethiopia in the district of Harer, town of Taga Tab. According to his official documents, he was born in 1349H.

His Early Studies:
The Shaykh grew up in the town of Taga Tab (Ethiopia) where he learned the Nobel Qur’aan. After completing the Qur’aan he began studying the books of Fiqh according to the Madh-hab of Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee (rahimahullaah). He also studied Arabic in his town with Shaykh Mohammad Ameen Al Hareree.

He then left his hometown as was the custom of the inhabitants of that area, and moved to another town where he met with a man who would become his colleague in seeking knowledge and migrating to Saudi Arabia, Shaykh ‘Abdul Kareem. So the ties of Islamic brotherhood were formed between the two of them. After meeting, they would go together to study under a teacher called Shaykh Moosaa under whom they studies Nadham-uz-Zuhd of Ibn Raslaan. They then studied the text of al-Minhaaj under Shaykh Abaadir. While in this town, they learned several disciplines of Islamic knowledge.

The pair then had a desire to travel to the land of Makkah to seek knowledge and fulfill the obligation of Hajj. So they left from Ethiopia and headed for Somalia where they boarded a ship and headed for Aden (Yemen). There they experienced many hardships and perils on both land and sea, but they continued on to Hudaidah by foot and fasted the month of Ramadan there.

They then departed for Saudi Arabia and passed through Saamitah and Abi ‘Areesh until they got permission to enter Makkah, which they walked to on foot. While in Yemen, some teachers warned them against the Salafee Da’wah, calling it “Wahhabee”.

His Studies while in Saudi Arabia:
After the Shaykh performed Hajj in 1369H, he began to seek knowledge in the study circles held in the precincts of Masjid-ul-Haraam. There, he learned from Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzaq Hamzah (rahimahullaah), Shaykh ‘Abdul Haqq Al Haashimee (rahimahullaah), Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abdillah As-Sumaalee and others.

While in Makkah, he came to know Shaykh ‘Abdul ‘Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullaah) and accompanied him in his journey to Riyadh when the Educational Institute was opened. This was in the early seventies (i.e.1370H).

Some of the colleagues he studied with while undergoing secondary studies at the Educational Institute was Shaykh ‘Abdul Muhsin Al ‘Abbad and Shaykh ‘Alee bin Mahnaa, former judge in the Central Courthouse of Madeenah. At the same time, he would attend the many circles of knowledge in Riyadh.

He also benefited and was influenced by the (former) Muftee, the great scholar of Jurisprudence and Principles, Shaykh Mohammad bin Ibraaheem Aali-Shaykh (rahimahullaah).

He would stick closely to Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Al Ifreeqee (rahimahullaah), as well as Shaykh ‘Abdul ‘Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullaah), whose vast knowledge and noble manners he was able to absorb.

In Riyadh, he studied under Shaykh Mohammad Al Ameen Ash-Shanqeetee (rahimahullaah) and the Muhaddith, Shaykh Hammaad Al Ansaaree (rahimahullaah).

He was also greatly influenced by Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzaaq Al ‘Afeefee, even in his manner of teaching. Likewise, he benefited from and was influenced by Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin Naasir As-Sa’adee (rahimahullaah), since they would write letters to each other. However, it should be known that he did not study under Shaykh As-Sa’adee. He also learned under Shaykh Mohammad Khaleel Harraas (rahimahullaah), whom he was greatly influenced by, and Shaykh ‘Abdullah Al Qar’aawee (rahimahullaah).

His Scholastic Accreditation:
He completed his secondary studies at the Educational Institute in Riyadh, then joined the College of Sharee’ah and obtained his diploma in 1380H. He then received the equivalent of a Masters Degree in Sharee’ah from the University of Punjab (Pakistan) in 1974 and thereafter a Doctorate’s Degree from Daar-ul-‘Uloom in Cairo.

His Scholarly Status and the Scholars Praise for him:
The Shaykh held a high status amongst the people of knowledge and virtue as they would mention good things about him and rely on him. In fact, reliance upon his knowledge and Creed reached the point that when he was a student in Riyadh, and his teacher Shaykh ‘Abdul ‘Azeez bin Baaz, saw his superiority and enthusiasm for knowledge he referred him to Shaykh Mohammad bin Ibraaheem (rahimahullaah), which resulted in him being appointed a teacher at the Educational Institute in Saamitah in the district of Jaazaan.

What also proves the trustworthiness of his knowledge and Creed and his high regard amongst the scholars was the fact that when the Islamic University in Madeenah opened, he was appointed to teach in it after being selected by Shaykh ‘Abdul ‘Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullaah).

In a letter written (no.64) by the former Muftee of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh ‘Abdul ‘Azeez bin Baaz (rahimahullaah), on 1/9/1418H, said about him: “He is known to me for possessing knowledge, virtue, a good Creed, and activeness in Calling to Allaah and warning against innovations and misconceptions. May Allaah forgive him, grant him an abode in Paradise and keep his progeny upright. And may He gather us, you and him in the abode of His honour. Verily, He is All-Hearing and All-Near.”

Shaykh Saalih Al Fawzaan said: “...Indeed, the students and those who hold various type of higher degrees are many, but there are only a few from whose knowledge and personality you could truly benefit from. Shaykh Mohammad Amaan was one of the few rare scholars who employed their knowledge and efforts in order to benefit Muslims and guide them by calling them to Allaah upon knowledge.This was via the classes he would give while at the Islamic University and the Prophet’s Masjid as well as during excursions he would undertake inside and outside of the Kingdom in order to give lessons and lectures on various topics. He would call to Tawheed and propagate the correct Creed, and he would direct the Muslim youth towards the methodology of the pious Predecessors (Salaf as-Saalih) while warning them about destructive principles and deviant calls.

Whoever did not know him personally should get to know him by way of his beneficial books and numerous tapes, which consist of a deluge of the great amount of knowledge and immense benefit he possessed.”

Shaykh ‘Abdul Muhsin ‘Abbaad said: “I came to know Shaykh Mohammad Amaan bin ‘Alee Al Jamee when he was a student in the Educational Institute in Riyadh and then when he was a teacher at the Islamic university of Madeenah in the secondary level and then in the university level. I knew him to have a good Creed and following a safe course. He dedicated himself to clarifying the Creed upon the beliefs of the Predecessors and to warning against innovations by way of his classes, lectures and writings. May Allaah forgive him, have mercy on him and grant him an immense reward.”

Shaykh Mohammad bin ‘Abdil Wahhaab Marzooq Al Banna (rahimahullaah) said about him: “He, may Allaah have mercy on him, was upon good, which we love, such as good manners, sound Creed and pleasant companionship. I ask Allaah to shower him with His Mercy, grant him an abode in Paradise, and gather us together there as brothers upon thrones facing one another."

Shaykh ‘Umar bin Mohammad Fullaata (rahimahullaah) said: “In general, he may Allaah have mercy on him, was honest in speech, immense in his ascription to the beliefs of Ahlus-Sunnah, and strong in his desire to call to Allaah through words and action. He was reserved in speech, strong in clarifying, and quick to get angry when Allaah’s laws were violated. The gatherings he would hold in the Prophet’s Masjid, the books he would distribute, the travels he would undergo speak on his behalf.

I accompanied him one time on a journey and what a great friend he was! He himself accompanied the scholar Mohammad Al Ameen Ash-Shanqeetee, may Allaah have mercy on him, author of Adwaa-ul-Bayaan and other books, on a journey and also served as a good companion for him. A journey is that in which the true nature of a man becomes revealed. He would not flatter others, nor would he be hypocritical. He would not argue or dispute with others. If the proof was with him, he would openly proclaim it. And if the opposite of what he adhered to became apparent to him, he would take on that view and recant from his prior position. This is the common practice of the believers as Allaah says: "The only saying of the faithful believers when they are called to Allaah and His Messenger to judge between them is that they say: ‘We hear and we obey!’ Such are the successful.” [Surah An-Noor: 51]

I call upon Allaah as a witness to the fact that he, may Allaah have mercy on him, fulfilled many times over his duty of serving the Religion and spreading the Sunnah of the chief of messengers (i.e. Prophet Mohammad). As a result he encountered much harm and was subjected to plots and conspiracies, but he did not give in nor was he dissuaded from his goal until he met Allaah. The last words he uttered were the testimonies of Laa Illaha illa-Allaah and Muhammadur-Rasoolullaah."

Shaykh ‘Umar Fullaata (may Allaah have mercy on him) also said: “I came to know Shaykh Mohammad Amaan bin ‘Alee Al Jamee, may Allaah have mercy on him, from a long time ago, after he came to this country (of Saudi Arabia) seeking knowledge, searching for good and looking to learn the Creed of Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah.

I met him in 1372H in the home of our teacher, example, and fatherly figure, Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin Yusuf Al Ifreeqee, may Allaah have mercy on him and us, in Riyadh, since he would spend a lot of time with him and benefit from him. When I asked about him I was informed that he had come from Saamitah where he would teach and participate in examinations in the Educational Institute and faculties under the Aali-Shaykh family.

What caused me to notice him at that time was his vigour, zeal, superiority and great concern for speaking the pure Arabic language as well as his ability to explain clearly some of the problematic Fiqh issues, which show that he was well versed student of knowledge.

Not much time passed since then when it was conveyed to me that our teacher, Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Al Ifreeqee, presented him with the opportunity of becoming part of his family by way of him marrying his wife’s sister. So based on this, the ties between them became strengthened and the connection and love between them increased.”

Dr. Mohammad Hamood Al Waa’ilee said: "I began my acquaintance of the Shaykh in 1381H when this noble country of Saudi Arabia first opened the Islamic University of Madeenah. He was one of the first to teach there and I was one of his students. He was from a number of teachers that would give their students special attention, which was not restricted to just that of a student-teacher relationship in class.

He would devote a great amount of attention in most of his classes to the Creed of the Pious Predecessors, may Allaah have be please with them, and would not let any opportunity pass in which he would not explain its status and high position. This was the same whether his lessons were on Creed or on other subjects.

When he would discuss the Creed of the Pious Predecessors and attempt to implant it into the souls of his students – a majority of who came from all places abroad – he would speak with profound experience and knowledge of this Creed, as he had tasted its sweetness and treaded its path, to the point that those listening and watching him would feel as though their hearts would become soft with love and affection for it.

He would undergo journeys in order to spread the Call and teach outside of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He would not let any occasion or opportunity pass without clearly explaining the loftiness, purity and nobility of this Creed. Anyone who reads the books and treatises that he wrote will come to realize the truth of his Call.

I attended the deliberation of his doctorate’s dissertation in Dar-ul-‘Uloom, which falls under the University of Cairo in Egypt. In most of his research, he strove to clarify the purity of the Creed and the soundness of the methodology of the Pious Predecessors. His academic persona became apparent throughout the discourse in his ability to expose the falseness of every methodology that deviated from the methodology of the Pious Predecessors…"

Dr. Mohammad bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan Al Khumayyis wrote: “The noble Shaykh Mohammad Amaan bin ‘Alee Al Jamee, may Allaah have mercy on him, from what I knew about him, was from the strongest at defending and calling to the Creed of the Pious Predecessors. He would defend it in books, lectures and seminars. And he was strict in refuting those who opposed the Creed of the Pious Predecessors.

It is as if he sacrificed his entire life for this Creed in terms of learning it, teaching it, instructing it and calling to it. He realised the importance that this Creed has on the life and uprightness of a human being. And he acknowledged the danger that innovations which opposed this Creed have on the livelihood of society and individuals. So may Allaah have mercy on him and forgive him and all of the muslims.

His Books and Writings:
The Shaykh authored several books and delivered many lectures and classes, which were transcribed and published before and after his death. Below is a list of some of his most famous and highly regarded works:

1. As-Sifaat-ul-Illaahiyyah fil-Kitaab was-Sunnah an-Nabawiyyah fee Daw’-il-Ithbaat wat-Tanzeeh [The Devine Attributes in the Qur’aan and Prophetic Sunnah in light of Affirming and Absolving] This is one of the larger books of the Shaykh, which is highly beneficial in its subject.
2. Adwaa ‘alaa Tareeq as-Da’wah ilal-Islaam [Illuminations upon the Path of Calling to Islaam] This book consists of a number of lectures he gave, which affirm the Creed of the Salaf, present the status of the Call to Islaam in Africa, discuss the problems faced by the Call and the Callers in current times and their solutions, and provide a refutation of the Sufees.
3. Al Muhaadarah ad-Difaa’iyyah ‘an-is-Sunnah al Muhammadiyyah [ A Lecture in Defence of the Sunnah of Muhammad] The source of this book was a lecture he delivered in 1383H in Sudan in which he refuted the atheist Mahmood TaHa.
4. Haqeeqat-ud-Dimuqratiyyah wa annahaa laisat minal-Islaam [The Reality of Democracy and a Clarification that it is not from Islaam] The source of this treatise was a lecture he gave in 1412H.
5. Haqeeqat-ush-Shooraa fil-Islaam [The reality of Shooraa in Islaam]
6. Al ‘Aqeedat-ul-Islaamiyyah wa Taareekhuhaa [The Islaamic Creed and its History] An excellent treatise on the formation of groups that deviated with regards to Creed throughout the history of Islaam.
7. Nidhaam-ul-Usrah fil Islaam [The Structure of the Muslim Family] A short treatise which was originally a lecture he gave in Africa.

Many of the lessons and classes the Shaykh would give explaining classical works on Creed and Jurisprudence were also transcribed and published on the Internet and in book format. Amongst these works are his explanations of Tajreed-ut-Tawheed of Al Maqreezee, Thalaathat-ul-Usool of Mohammad bin ‘Abdil Wahhaab, Shuroot-us-Salaah of Mohammad bin ‘Abdil Wahhaab, Al Usool-us-Sittah of Mohammad bin ‘Abdil Wahhaab, Al ‘Aqeedat-ut-Tadmuriyyah of Ibn Taimiyyah, Al Qawaa’id-ul-Muthlaa of Ibn ‘Uthaymeen and more.

His Students:
Many students studied under him to the point that it is difficult to confirm their amount due to their large number. However, from the most outstanding of them are:

1.Shaykh Dr. Rabee’ bin Haadee ‘Umayr Al Madkhalee;
2.Shaykh Zayd bin Haadee Al Madkhalee;
3.Shaykh Dr. ‘Alee bin Naasir Al Faqeehee;
4.Shaykh Dr. Mohammad Hamood Al Waa’ilee;
5.The Muhaddith, Shaykh ‘Abdul Qaadir bin Habeebullaah As-Sindee, may Allaah have mercy on him;
6.Shaykh Dr. Saalih bin Sa’ad As-Suhaymee;
7.Shaykh Dr. Ibraaheem bin ‘Aamir Ar-Ruhaylee;
8.Shaykh Dr. Bakr bin ‘Abdillaah Abu Zayd;
9.Shaykh Dr. Falaah Isma’eel, teacher in the Islaamic University of Kuwait.

His Salafee Creed:
What proves that the Shaykh was upon a sound Salafee Creed was the fact that he would teach from the classical books of Creed from the Pious Predecessors, such as: al Waasitiyyah, al Fataawaa al Hamawiyyah al Kubraa, at-Tadmuriyyah, Sharh al ‘Aqeedat-ut-Tahaawiyyah of Ibn ‘Abdil ‘Izz, al Eemaan, Thalaathat-ul-Usool, Fat’h-ul-Majeed, Qurratu ‘Uyoon-ul-Muwahhideen, al Usool-us-Sittah, al Waajibaat-ul-mutahattimaat, al Qawaa’id –ul-Muthlaa and Tajreed-ut-Tawheed of Maqreezee. These lessons were recorded and are widely available in cassette form. He would explain some books several times such as Thalaat-ul-Usool.

Some of his Noble Characteristics:
1. His Mixing Little with People: He, may Allaah have mercy on him, was known to mix little with people unless it was for good. So as a result, most of his time and his days would be reserved. His manner of doing this was well known since he would go out from his home to work in the Islaamic University, then return home, then go to the Prophet’s Masjid to give classes there after ‘Asr, after Maghrib, after ‘Ishaa and after Fajr. He would continue to follow this schedule up until he was bedridden when is illness worsened.

2. His Reserved Tongue: He, may Allaah have mercy on him, was also reserved in speech. He would not speak ill, throw blame or backbite others. In fact, he would not allow anyone to back bite others while in his presence nor would he permit anyone to convey gossip and people’s defects to him.

If any student of knowledge fell into error, he would request the tape or the book (containing the error) and would listen or read it. If it became apparent to him that it was in fact an error, he would fulfil his requirement of advising that person.

3. His Forgiving Nature and Forbearance: He would react to those who treated him badly by displaying forbearance and forgiveness.
Many times people would come up to him on the street or while in the Prophet’s Masjid and ask for his forgiveness for speaking bad about him and attacking his honour, and he would say to them: “I hope Allaah will not cause anyone to enter the Hellfire because of me.”

He would also pardon those who sought to destroy his reputation, saying: “There is no need for anyone to come to me to seek my forgiveness, for I have already forgiven everyone.” And he would request those in his gatherings to convey this from him.

4. His concern and care for his Students: He, may Allaah have mercy on him, from those who gave special attention to his students, which would not stop with end of his classes. He would attend their special functions, ask about their situations, take care of some of their needs, and help them out with some of their family problems or some of the hardships of life that they encountered. In general, he would make use of his money, reputation, and time in order to assist those students of his that were needy.

His Salafee Creed:
What proves that the Shaykh was upon a sound Salafee Creed was the fact that he would teach from the classical books of Creed from the Pious Predecessors, such as: Al Waasitiyyah, Al Fataawaa Al Hamawiyyah Al Kubraa, At-Tadmuriyyah, Sharh Al ‘Aqeedat-ut-Tahaawiyyah of Ibn ‘Abdil ‘Izz, Al Eemaan, Thalaathat-ul-Usool, Fat’h-ul-Majeed, Qurratu ‘Uyoon-ul-Muwahhideen, Al Usool-us-Sittah, Al Waajibaat-ul-mutahattimaat, Al Qawaa’id–ul-Muthlaa and Tajreed-ut-Tawheed of Maqreezee. These; lessons were recorded and are widely available in cassette form. He would explain some books several times such as Thalaat-ul-Usool.

His Sickness and Death:
During the last part of his life, he was stricken with a terminal illness to the point that he was bedridden for almost a year. But he endured it with patience and forbearance.

On a Wednesday morning, on the 26th of Sha’baan 1416H, his soul returned back to its Creator. His funeral prayer was held on that day after Dhuhr and he was then buried in the Baqee’-ul-Gharqad Cemetery in Madeenah. A large group of people were present at his funeral including amongst them many scholars, judges and students of knowledge. His death put the ummah at a loss, since they were now lacking a great hard-working scholar, may Allaah grant him a spacious abode in Paradise.

Sources of his Biography:
Refer to the biographical account of the Shaykh written by his student, Mustafaa bin ‘Abdil Qaadir Al Fullaanee on 3/5/1419H as found in the book: 'The Islaamic Creed and its History' (pg.5-22) with alterations and additions.

[Taken from the book 'An Explanation of The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of Prayer' by Al Ibaanah Publishing.]