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Biographies of the Later Salaf 6 : (1401H-)

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A Glimpse of the Life of Shaikh Muqbil bin Haadee
al-Waadi'ee (rahimahullaah)

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All praise is due to Allaah, who has sufficed [us] and peace be upon His Servants that He
chose [for prophethood].

Despite the fact that many people were expecting the death of Shaikh Muqbil bin Haadee
al-Waadi'ee (rahimahullaah), and this is due to the severe pains and dangerous illnesses
he underwent, whose mention was spread amongst the people, and despite the spreading
of the (false) news of his death (rahimahullaah), on more than one occasion ­ and many
people even prayed over him with the Janaazah prayer, before he even died, due to the
spreading of this news by some people, may Allaah pardon them, before the time which
Allaah had appointed for him!! So despite all of this taking place, the correct and true
report of the Shaikh's death (rahimahullaah), caused bewilderment and confusion, dismay
to the people, rather, this bewilderment and confusion fell upon those who were present
by the Shaikh at the time of the departure of his soul, and I was amongst them.

And perceiving the likes of this bewilderment and dismay for the one who saw his (the
Shaikh's) death with his own eyes, let alone the one who did not see that, was not except
for the what is in the heart of many of deep and profound love of the Shaikh
(rahimahullaah) ­ and this is due to his aiding the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah
(sallallaahu alaihi wasallam).

And the death of our Shaikh, Abu `Abdur-Rahmaan, only revived the sorrows, pains and
injuries that had not even healed, by the death of three of Senior `Ulamaa, and the cream
of the cream (i.e. the best of them all), the Carriers of Tawheed and the Straight Nahj (i.e,
Way, Manhaj), - in only a small period of two years.

And even if we are certain that the religion of Allaah the Mighty and Majestic will be
preserved and safeguarded, due to his saying, "Indeed we are revealed the Reminder and
We are certainly safeguarding it" and also His saying, "And if you turn away then Allaah
will replace you with another people who will not be like you", and other than that, then
even though we affirm this, then there is not doubt, still, that the death of a Scholar is an
irreparable loss within Islaam. So how them, with the death of numerous scholars, and
how then with the death of the Senior ones around whom the Salafi Da'wah revolves in
this time and era?!!

There is no doubt that the affliction by way of the death of the scholars is a mighty
affliction, and that it is an affliction to everybody. For condolences for the death of a
scholar are not given to his family alone, but to all the people of Islaam. And Ayyoob as-
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Sakhtiyaanee when he would hear of the death of one from Ahl us-Sunnah would feel that
one of his limbs had been severed.

So may Allaah be benevolent to all of our bereaved and may He forgive our dead, and may
He greaten our reward, and we ask Him, the Most High that he does not prevent us their
reward, and that he does not put us to trial after them.

As for the speech about the position of the Shaikh (rahimahullaah), then it would be very
lengthy, because his jihaad in knowledge, teaching, da'wah to Allaah, tarbiyah and giving
of direction has extended for over thirty years, and there is no doubt that speech about the
life of the Shaikh in a somewhat detailed manner has its place in the detailed and lengthy
biographies.

However, I will allude, in a quick manner, to some beneficial aspects from the life of the
Shaikh (rahimahullaah).

So if we were to take a look at him as a Scholar...

Then we would see the strength of his memorisation (rahimahullaah) of hadeeth, and their
gradations, their hidden defects, and of the narrators and their condition, and also of the
principles of Arabic and its evidences.

And if were to take a look at him as a Cultivator, Nurturer...

Then we would observe his great and lengthy patience in teaching and cultivating
(tarbiyah), and how he would be certain of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic's assistance to
this da'wah, at a time when we see the Ahl ul-Ahwaa (People of Desires) engaged in a dog-
fight against this da'wah, and he would always say, "This da'wah, our brothers, will
traverse in a manner that has no equal", alongside our observing the plot of those who
plot, and its effect upon our brothers and our da'wah in every place. But then the affairs
changed after that into that which the Shaikh was certain of, and to Allaah belongs all
praise and benefit.

And there is no doubt that this is a mighty characteristic, for yaqeen (certainty) is a
provision for establishment (tamkeen) upon the earth, as the Exalted said, "And we made
them as leaders guiding by Our command, when they showed patience and had certainty
in our Signs."

And how many men are there who return after having only traversed half the journey, due
to losing certainty. Rather, perhaps he might even return from the place at which he was
only two bow-lengths away from honour and establishment!! And from Allaah is all aid
sought.

And if were to take a look at him as one who commands good and forbids
evil...

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Then that which is known about the Shaikh (rahimahullaah) is that he would not fear the
blame and reproach of anyone, in Allaah's path. So if he believed in some matter, he would
shout by it, and if his heart opened up to some matter, he would proceed upon it,
regardless of whether anyone agreed with him or not. And he would give no consideration
to any disputant, despite their great number. And this, overwhelmingly, is a praiseworthy
characteristic, and it is a branch of certainty (yaqeen) and a clear, pure vision of the truth,
and fondness of Ittibaa', without looking towards greatness of followers.

And if we were to look at him (rahimahullaah) as a Khateeb...

Then he would have words and cries that would shake the insolent hearts, and which
would give taqwaa to the weak souls, alongside his calling upon what was established in
the Sunnah, in an unrestricted and abundant manner, and without resorting to the stories
and other narratives that the heedless ones turn their heads towards. And the light of the
Prophetic Hadeeths would glimmer in his words (rahimahullaah).

And if we were to look at him (rahimahullaah) as a teacher...

Then we would have seen in his sittings with his students much sweetness and grace. For
he would direct many questions to his students concerning ahaadeeth, their narrators, the
principles and evidences of the Arabic language, the sayings of the poets and their
meanings. And he is the one who would examine his most intelligent students with
questions that would not be comprehended except those endued with understanding and
intelligence amongst them. And his gatherings with them ­ even if they were prolonged ­
would not become boring or tiring. And his lessons were plentiful, abundant, and the
pearls of his knowledge were widespread so may Allaah's mercy be upon him.

And if were to look at him in the issues of ikhtilaaf (difference)...

Then we would see the greatness of his chest (i.e. the openness) towards his opposer ­ in
that in which differing is plausible (and allowed). So you would see him issue a fatwaa, and
then one of his students would have a verdict that opposed it. Rather, perhaps even one of
the female students might oppose him in authenticating or weakening a hadeeth, or in a
matter of fiqh, and the Shaikh would repeat often, "I do not make my view binding upon
anyone, and I do not love that anyone should make their view binding upon me, except
with proof". And all of this was from his knowledge and his understanding, may Allaah the
Exalted have mercy upon him.

And if were to look at him (rahimahullaah) as one who safeguarded his time...

Then we would see that he not leave anything as time passed by. So if he was sat in a
gathering with guests he would ask those present with him, in accordance to their level. So
he would ask the student of knowledge according to the limits of what he had studied. And
as for the one whose level (of knowledge) he did not know, he would ask him, "What have
you studied O my son in aqeedah, or language, or the science of hadeeth?". And if he was a
common person, he would ask him after that about well-known sayings or words of
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wisdom that are found amongst the people, and about their correctness, or their
incorrectness. Rather, he would even ask the one who would be swimming with him in the
sea about hadeeth or about the Arabic language, while they are actually in the sea, and you
would not see except their heads!! And he would ask the one who would be seated with
him in a car, or who would be talking to him over the phone, until even during the period
of his illness!! And if a strong student of knowledge was sitting with him, he would revise
with him, and would seek affirmation from him in certain matters in which a long time
had passed by (since the Shaikh had addressed them). And all of this is from the Shaikh's
humility with the students of knowledge and the scholars ­ may Allaah have mercy upon
him...

End of Part 1








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From SP