Shaikh ‘Abdul-Hameed Ibn Muhammad, Ibn Baadees

Author: Hamaam Abu ‘Abdillaah Al-Jazaa’iree
Source Sahab.Net
Translator: isma’eel alarcon

His Name, Lineage and Birth:
He was ‘Abdul-Hameed Ibn Muhammad Ibn Makkee Ibn Baadees as-Sinhaajee. His lineage traces back to Al-Mu’izz Ibn Baadees, the founder of the Sinhaaj state, which waged war against the Da’wah of the Batinee Isma’eelis.

He was born in the city Constantine (Algeria) on a Thursday, the 10th of Rabee’-uth-Thaanee, 1308H (12/4/1889).

His Upbringing and his Search for Knowledge:

In his early youth, he was met with every type of care and concern from his family. He memorized the Noble Qur'ân under Shaikh Muhammad ad-Daasee (rahimahullaah) when he was less than 13 years old. And he would lead the people in Taraaweeh prayer at this young age.

In 1903, he entered the study circles of Shaikh Hamdaan al-Waneesee and learned the primary sources of knowledge and disciplines from him. Then in 1327H (1908), he traveled to Tunisia to complete his studies and to gain some of the vast knowledge there was in the various sciences of the Religion. This was in the central mosque of Zaytoonah.

His Teachers:
His teachers include:

1. Shaikh Hamdaan al-Waneesee, who settled in Madeenah (died 1920) and was buried there;
2. Shaikh Muhammad an-Nakhlee al-Qayrawaanee (died 1342H/1925);
3. Shaikh Muhammad al-Khidr Husayn Al-Jazaa’iree, the Shaikh of Al-Azhar University (died 1958);
4. Shaikh Muhammad at-Taahir Ibn ‘Aashoor (died 1373H/1973);
5. Shaikh Muhammad Bakheet al-Mutee’i, the Muftee of the lands of Egypt (died 1939);
6. Shaikh Al-Basheer Safr;
7. Shaikh Muhammad Ibn al-Qaadee.

His Accomplishments:
In 1911, he received the Tatwee’ Diploma (the highest degree from the great mosque of Tunisia), and remained to teach in the Zaytoonah Mosque, unlike any of the other students. He stayed there for one year.

In 1912, he returned to Algeria to teach the book “ash-Shifaa” of Al-Qaadee ‘Iyaad, but it was not long before a declaration was issued by the disbelieving French colonial authorities preventing him from that.

In 1913, he returned to making Hijrah (migration), but this time, it was to the lands of the Haramayn (in Saudi Arabia). During that time, he became connected with a number of scholars, such as Shaikh Husayn Ahmad al-Fayd-abaadee al-Hindee and other scholars.

He also met his companion and supporter, Shaikh Muhammad Al-Basheer al-Ibraaheemee.

He then returned to Algeria a second time, acting on the advice of the Muhaddith of India, the great scholar, Shaikh Husayn Ahmad al-Fayd-abaadee (rahimahullaah). On his way back to his country, he passed through Egypt, and took advantage of the opportunity to meet some of its scholars and to benefit from them.

So he returned to Algeria and settled in the city Constantine. There, he took the Al-Akhdar Mosque as the center for his Da’wah and as an institute for his educational activities.

He held classes on the tafseer (explanation) of the Noble Qur'ân, and finished explaining the whole Qur'ân in a span of 25 years. Similarly, he finished explaining the “Muwatta” of Imaam Maalik through various lessons, in a span of 12 years.

In 1925, he published a newspaper called “Al-Muntaqidh.” After 18 issues had been published, the occupying French authorities stopped it.

He printed the first issue of the newsletter “As-Sunnah al-Muhammadiyyah” in 1351H (1933), and thereafter the newspaper “Ash-Sharee’ah al-Mutahhirah” in 1352H (1933) and then the newspaper “As-Siraat as-Sawee” in 1352H (1933).

All of these projects did not live for long due to the their being prevented by the occupying forces (of France), and so only a few issues from each of these newspapers were published. This was also due to the instigating and provocation of the followers of Sufi orders, who hate the Salafi Da’wah.

He also published the newspaper “Ash-Shihaab”, which he managed directly and along with it, he published the newspaper “Al-Basaa’ir” in cooperation with his brothers among the scholars of Algeria. This last (newspaper) lasted a long time – until 1376H (1956).

In 1931, he completed the establishment and formation of The Muslim Scholars of Algeria Organization. The Shaikh was elected as the head for this organization in absentia (i.e. he did not have to attend a gathering for nomination). He remained as its head until 1940.

His Students:
Among his students were:

1. Shaikh Mubaarak al-Meelee (died 1945);
2. Shaikh Al-Fadeel al-Waratlaanee, the caller (died 1959);
3. Shaikh Muhammad as-Su’ood az-Zaahiree, the writer and poet (died 1961);
4. Shaikh Al-Haadee as-Sanoosee, the writer (died 1973);
5. Shaikh Muhammad Musa al-Ahmadee, the writer, poet and author of many valuable linguistic books (died around 1420H) and many more.

His Books:
The Shaikh has written many books despite his little free time and his preoccupation with running the Organization of Scholars, as well as his supervising the many newspapers he used to publish, not to mention his trips throughout Algeria by train for the sake of Da’wah.

From his books are:

1. Majaalis at-Tadhkeer (which is an explanation of the Qur’aan);
2. Ad-Durar al-Ghaaliyah fee ad-Da’wah (about the manners of calling to Islaam);
3. Al-‘Aqaa’id al-Islaamiyyah (Islamic points on Creed, which he wrote according to the methodology of the Salaf);
4. Mubaadee al-Usool (an introduction to the science of Principles);
5. A collection of essays, treatises and abridgements, which have been compiled in a book under the title “Aathaar Ibn Baadees”, and other books.

The Scholars’ Praise for him:
Shaikh Muhammad at-Taahir ‘Aashoor said: “He is the noble scholar – a genius, possessing knowledge and excellence. He is our son (i.e. student) of whom we feel proud of his relation to us.”

Shaikh Al-Mubaarak Al-Meelee said (rahimahullaah): “The great teacher and the wise instructor. Our provision with regard to knowledge and our source concerning rectification.”

Shaikh Al-Basheer al-Ibraaheemee said: “He was the establisher of the two revivals – knowledge and ideology – in Algeria. And he was the one who placed their foundations in a solid rock of truth. And he was the one who brought them from their points of death to the highest of levels. He was the Imaam of the Salafi movement.”

His Death:
The Shaikh died on a Wednesday evening, the 8th of Rabee’-ul-Awwal, 1359H (4/16/1940) due to a short-term sickness. He was buried in Constantine.

After his death, the leadership of the Organization of Scholars fell to Shaikh Muhammad Al-Basheer al-Ibraaheemee.[1] So may Allaah bestow His vast mercy on Shaikh ‘Abdul-Hameed and may He place him in Paradise.

Footnotes:

[1] Important Note: The Muslim Scholars of Algeria Organization was dissolved after an independent resolution from the then president Ahmad Ibn Balah an-Naasiree. Its de-establishment was completed in 1990. This was after the floor of the organization had been opened for the entrance of numerous partisan groups, which are the result of the lands of Algeria being covered with destruction and chaos. In current times, this Organization had become mixed with members from various deviant groups and parties. So it was composed of the secularist, the Sufi, the Ikhwani, the Ibaadee, the democrat, even the Communist!! Except for those who were on the methodology of the Salaf. But in spite of this, when this Organization was first established, it was founded upon the Salafee Manhaj, being led by the great scholar, Shaikh ‘Abdul-Hameed Ibn Baadees, and then Shaikh Muhammad Al-Basheer al-Ibraaheemee, after him, may Allaah have mercy on them both