Scholar Biographies



One should know that it is important to start with knowledge. The scholars are the heirs of the Prophets, i.e., they inherit knowledge. Whoever gains knowledge has gained great good fortune, and whoever follows a path to seek knowledge, Allaah will make easy for him the path to Paradise. Allaah said (interpretation of the meaning):

‘It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allaah’

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

‘but none will understand them except those who have knowledge’

[al-‘Ankaboot 29:43]

‘And they will say: “Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we would not have been among the dwellers of the blazing Fire!”’

[al-Mulk 67:10]

With regard to the way to gain knowledge, it is to fear Allaah (taqwa) and to be aware that He is always watching, in secret and in the open. Then one should learn from the scholars whose knowledge and religious commitment can be trusted. If you find a scholar who meets this description, then cling to him and consult him in order to gain knowledge. If you cannot find a scholar, then look for a seeker of knowledge (taalib ‘ilm), and if you cannot find such a person, then you must study by using tapes and books that deal with the basic issues of Islam according to the correct methodology of sharee’ah.

Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn 'Abdur-Rahmaan Aal Ghudayyaan

He was born in 1345 A.H./1934 C.E. in the city of az-Zulfee.

He studied the basics of reading and writing, when young, with 'Abdullaah Ibn 'Abdul-'Azeez as-Suhaymee, and 'Abdullaah Ibn 'Abdur-Rahmaan al-Ghayth, and Faalih ar-Roomee. He also studied the basics of fiqh, tawheed, Arabic grammar and faraa.id with Hamdaan Ibn Ahmad al-Baatil. He then travelled to Riyadh in 1363 A.H./1952 C.E., and in 1366 A.H./1955 C.E. he enrolled into al-Madrasah as-Sa'oodiyyah al-Ibtidaa.iyyah (previously known as Madrasatul-Aytaam) and graduated from there in 1368 A.H./1957 C.E.

He was then appointed a teacher in al-Madrasah al-'Azeeziyyah, and in 1371 A.H./1960 C.E. he enrolled into the Educational Institute. During this period he studied with Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Ibraaheem Aal ash-Shaykh. He also studied fiqh with Shaykh Sa'ood Ibn Rashood who was the (grand) judge of Riyadh, and tawheed with Shaykh Ibraaheem Ibn Sulaymaan, and Arabic grammar and faraa.id with Shaykh 'Abdul-Lateef Ibn Ibraaheem. He then continued his studies until he graduated from the Faculty of Sharee'ah in 1372 A.H./1961 C.E.

He was then appointed head of one of the courts, and then later transferred to teaching at the Educational Institute in 1378 A.H./1967 C.E. In 1380 A.H./1969 C.E. he was then appointed a teacher at the Faculty of Sharee'ah, and in 1386 A.H./1975 C.E. he was transferred to passing fatwa at the Daar al-Iftaa.

In 1391 A.H./1980 C.E. he was appointed a member of The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa in addition to member of the Council of Senior Scholars.

He studied with a number of scholars in differing fields, and from amongst the well-known (in addition to those who have preceded) are:
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Ibn 'Abdullaah Ibn Baaz (rahima-hullaah) with whom he studied fiqh;
Shaykh 'Abdullaah al-Khulayfee with whom he also studied fiqh;
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Ibn Rasheed with whom he studied fiqh, tawheed and faraa.id;
Shaykh Muhammad al-Ameen ash-Shanqeetee with whom he studied usool al-fiqh, sciences of the Qur.aan, and tafseer;
Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmaan al-Afreeqee with whom he studied mustalah and hadeeth;
Shaykh 'Abdur-Razzaaq 'Afeefee;
'Abdul-Fattaah Qaaree al-Bukhaaree with whom he studied the Qur.aan in the recitation of Hafs 'an 'Aasim, to which the chain of transmission reaches the Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam).

In addition to what has preceded of his work, from 1389 A.H./1978 C.E. to date he has been a teacher of fiqh, usool al-fiqh, al-qawaa.id al-fiqhiyyah, mustalah and hadeeth, tafseer and it's sciences and 'aqeedah.

He has also been teaching fiqh in organised gatherings/lessons most days of the week, according to his schedule of many duties, after maghrib and after 'Ishaa. Sometimes he will teach after fajr and also after 'asr.

From 1395 A.H./1984 C.E., in addition to his work with The Permanent Committee, he gave lessons to students of knowledge in higher studies at the University of Imaam Muhammad and the Faculty of Sharee'ah in fiqh, usool al-fiqh, al-qawaa.id al-fiqhiyyah. He was also involved in supervising a number of theses at the Masters degree and Doctorate level, whilst also taking part in the (university) committee discussing theses. During this period, many students studied with him.

When Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Humayd died in 1402 A.H./1991 C.E., he was undertook to giving fatwa on the radio programme "Noorun 'alad-Darb".