Imam Abu Muhammad Abdullah Al-Salimi
(1286 AH/1869 AD-1332 AH/1914 AD)
Imam Abu Muhammad Abdullah
Al-Salimi is one of the most important, productive and influential scholars in contemporary
Omani history. His works delve deeply into many topics and disciplines. He was
also a social reformer of his time not only at the level of Oman but
also at the Islamic world level. He called on all Muslims to unite and cease
sectarian exclusivism. He dedicated his life to proclaim the ideals of the
Ibadhi State and Imamate. As a disciple, he gained the admiration of his
teachers for his eagerness for knowledge and for his sharp intelligence and exceptionally
remarkable memory. And as a teacher, his influence was unsurpassed. The Algerian
scholar, Abu Is'haq Ibrahim Attafayyish, said of him in the 1920′s, “It is no
exaggeration to say that all the men of learning in Oman today are his
students.”
Birth, Descent and Upbringing
His name is Abdullah
ibn Humaid ibn Soloom ibn Obeid ibn Khalfan ibn Khamis Al-Salimi, may
Allah have mercy on him.
He is from Bani Dhabba
and belongs to Al-Sawallim Tribe; since "Al-Salimi" is ascribed to
Salim ibn Dhabba ibn Ad ibn Tabikha (Umr) ibn Ilyas ibn Mudhr ibn Nizar ibn
Ma'ad ibn Adnan.
Sheikh Humaid ibn Soloom,
the father of Imam Al-Salimi, was a pious and righteous man. He was the first of
the teachers from whom Imam Noor Al-Deen took knowledge, whereas he studied the
Holy Quran at his hand. He died in 1316
A.H., on his way to Makkah to perform Hajj (pilgrimage).
The mother of Imam Al-Salimi
was a woman from Bani Kasib. Her name was Moazah. She died when the Imam was
about five years old. She left him and his eldest sister, Zuwainah.
Imam Al-Salimi became
known by the epithet "Noor
Al-Deen", as it is found in his books. The first person who called him by
this epithet was "Qutb Al-A'immah",
i.e. Sheikh Muhammad ibn Yusuf Attafayyish.
He was nicknamed
"Abu Muhammad" (father of Muhammad) on account of his oldest son. He
was also nicknamed "Abu Shaybah", because Shaybat Al-Humd was an
epithet for his son, Muhammad.
According to many
narrations, Imam Al-Salimi was born in 1286 A.H (1869 A.D) in Al-Hoqain
Village, in Al-Rustaq Province. He grew up and flourished therein under his
father's care, may Allah have mercy on him. And when he attained twelve years
of age, he lost his sight due to trachoma. But Allah compensated him with sharp
intelligence and an extraordinary memory, and this is evident in his narrations
and writings that have wide references.
Special Attributes
Imam Al-Salimi, may
Allah be pleased with him, was a man of strong protective jealousy concerning
Allah's Essence. He did not let the fear of blame stop him from carrying out
the command of Allah Almighty. He would always say what was right and speak the
truth, and refute the opponents of Islam. His was greatly concerned about his
nation; he was happy with what could benefit it, and sad with what could harm
it.
He was an eloquent
speaker, who improvised long speeches in congregations and assemblies. He was
also a bountiful, generous man who rarely ate his food alone, and was often
inspecting and seeking out the needs of his brothers and disciples to help and
console them. And he was a man of great dignity; no one would dare to speak in
his session unless he was a questioner, or a learner, or one in an urgent need.
Devotion
to Seeking Knowledge
Imam Noor Al-Deen grew
up in an honorable family, and his father was excessively rich. At the
beginning, he studied the Holy Quran from his father, but did not finish
memorizing it. When he was 12 years old, he moved from Al-Hoqain to seek
knowledge in Al-Rustaq, which was packed with scholars at that time, and so he studied
under Sheikh Majid ibn Khamis Al-Abri, Sheikh Rashid ibn Saif
Al-Lamki, and Sheikh Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al-Hashmi.
During his study in Al-Rustaq,
he dictated his first book, "Buloogh
Al-Amal", in 1301 A.H., and his age was 17
years.
In 1306 A.H., he left
Al-Rustaq heading for Nizwa in the journey of knowledge. There, he studied at
the hand of Sheikh Muhammad bin khamis Al-Saifi. He then left Nizwa and headed
for Al-Faiqain village (near Manah), where he studied at the hand of Sheikh
Muhammad bin Masoud Al-Busaidi.
He then settled for a
period of time in Al-Mudaybi Village to teach its children in compliance with
the request of Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Habsi. He went in the company of
Sheikh Sultan to Al-Qabil to visit the notable scholar Sheikh Saleh bin Ali Al-Harthi,
but this visit turned into a long stay in the following years.
It was in 1308 A.H.
when Imam Al-Salimi moved to settle in al-Qabil Village in order to study under
the supervision of Sheikh Salih ibn Ali Al-Harthi. So he devoted his
time to taking knowledge. He also spent his time in teaching and authoring, and
was a support for his teacher in establishing a scientific school for teaching
different branches of science. He taught Arabic language sciences, Tafsir
(exegesis), Hadith (Prophetic traditions), Fiqh (jurisprudence)
and its principles, Aqeedah (creed), and Kalam (theology).
Imam Al-Salimi was
greatly influenced by the martyrdom of his teacher, Sheikh Salih
ibn Ali Al-Harthi in 1314 A.H. The weight increased upon his shoulder but he
continued his mission of spreading knowledge. So he was learning, teaching,
authoring, providing guidance, and issuing fatwas (legal opinions). At
the same time, the reputation of his school was increasing day by day. The
important event during that period of his life was his famous journey to
pilgrimage in 1323 A.H. He brought with him an abundant number of books that
belonged to other Islamic sects for the purpose of learning about them and benefiting from them in composing his own books and treatises.
Teachers
Imam
Noor Al-Deen Al-Salimi received knowledge from great scholars, who were known by
their virtues and wide knowledge, and among them were:
1- Sheikh
Salih ibn Ali Al-Harthi, Imam Al-Salimi's greatest teacher. He was one of the
people who attended the pledge of allegiance to Imam Azzan ibn Qais. He
received knowledge from the great scholar, Said ibn Khalfan Al-Khalili. He was
among the most knowledgeable people of his time in regard to Halal
(lawful) and Haram (unlawful). He went out as a warrior and was shot
with a bullet in his left leg. He was martyred in 1314 A.H.
2- Sheikh
Majid bin Khamis Al-Abri, who was among the great scholars and jurists. He took
knowledge from Sheikh Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Hashmi and other scholars of Al-Rustaq
Province. He was governor of Bahla for Imam Azzan bin Qais. He died at the age
of 94, in Al-Hamraa in 1346 A.H.
3- Sheikh
Rashid ibn Saif Al-Lamki, who was one of the well-known scholars in his time
and people would refer to him for legal opinions (fatwas). He
was accompanied by Sheikh Faisal ibn Hamood ibn Azzan and Sheikh Majid ibn
Khamis Al-Abri, and he received from the later much Islamic knowledge. He was a
caller to Islam and the chief of judges. He died in Al-Rustaq in 1333 A.H.
4- Sheikh
Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al-Hashmi, who was one of the Imam's teachers. He was a
contemporary of Sheikh Rashid ibn Saif Al-Lamki. He was one of the great
scholars and judges of Al-Rustaq.
5- Sheikh
Muhammad ibn khamis Al-Saifi, who was one of the unique scholars. Judiciary in
Nizwa was centered
around him.
6- Sheikh
Muhammad ibn Masoud Al-Busaidi, who was one of the great scholars who lived in
Al-Faiqain village near Manah.
Students
Sheikh
Abu Is'haq Ibrahim Atfayyish said: "His students are numerous, and we
would not exaggerate if we said that Today's scholars are all his
students..."
Graduates
and students of Imam Al-Salimi's School were imams, judges, governors,
teachers, and scholars. Examples of some of those who graduated at his hand
are:
1- Imam
Salim ibn Rashid Al-Kharusi, the first Imam after the Imamate revival in
Oman in 1331 A.H. He was given the pledge of allegiance by Imam Al-Salimi and
other scholars, after being forced by Imam Al-Salimi to accept the role of Imam
on pain of death.
2- Imam
Muhammad ibn Abdullah Al-Khalili, who was elected to the Imamate after the martyrdom
of Imam Salim Al-Kharusi in 1338 A.H. He ruled according to the conduct of
the righteous caliphs till his death in 1373 A.H.
3- Sheikh
Abu Zaid Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Ruzaiq Al-Riyami, who was appointed as a
judge and a governor for the two previously mentioned imams.
4- Sheikh
Abu Malik Aamer ibn Khamis Al-Lamki, who assumed judiciary and Muslims matters.
5- Sheikh
Nasser ibn Rashid Al-Kharusi
6- Sheikh
Issa ibn Salih ibn Ali Al-Harthi, the son of Sheikh Salih Al-Harthi, the
teacher of Noor Al-Deen Al-Salimi.
7- Sheikh
Abu Obeid Hamad ibn Obeid Al-Sulimi, who worked for the two Imams, Al-Kharusi
and Al-Khalili, and was appointed as a judge for Sama'il, Bidbid, and Funja.
8- Sheikh
Saif ibn Hamad Al-Aghbari, who worked for the two Imams upon Manah, Izki, and
Dima and Al-Tayeen.
9- Sheikh
Qusor ibn Humood Al-Rashdi
10-
Sheikh Abu
Al-Waleed Saoud ibn Humaid ibn Khalifin.
11-
Sheikh Muhammad
ibn Sheikhan Al-Salimi, the eloquent poet, and the cousin of Imam
Al-Salimi.
12-
His son,
Sheikh Abu Bashir Muhammad ibn Abdullah Al-Salimi.
Writings
Imam
Al-Salimi was an erudite and prolific writer. He dictated
his first book "Buloogh Al-Amal", when he was only 17
years old. He dictated a large number of books on different subjects. Some
of the books are widely published, others remain in manuscript form. Every work
of the Imam is a masterwork and a treasure of knowledge. Hundreds and thousands
of people benefit from these works. Amongst the most popular books of Imam Al-Salimi
are the following:
1- Buloogh Al-Amal (The Reaching
of Hope), which is a poem about Arabic grammar. He dictated it in 1301 A.H.,
and revised it in 1315 A.H. He also explained it in "Sharh Buloogh
Al-Amal" at the request of his teacher, Sheikh Rashid ibn Saif
Al-Lamki.
2- Ghayat Al-Murad (The Utmost
Purpose), which is a poem that contains about 76 verses on the science of Aqeedah
(creed). He dictated it before the poem "Anwar Al-Uqool".
3- Anwar Al-Uqool (The Lights
of Minds), which is a poem on Aqeedah that contains about 300 verses.
4- Bahjat Al-Anwar (The Lights
of Minds), which is a brief explanation of the poem "Anwar Al-Uqool".
5- Mashariq Anwar Al-Uqool
(The Risings of the Lights of Minds), which is an elaborated explanation of the
poem "Anwar Al-Uqool".
6- Shams Al-Usul (The Sun of
the Principles), which is a poem on Usul Al-Fiqh
(principles of jurisprudence) that contains about 1000 verses.
7- Tal'at Al-Shams (The Rising
of the Sun), which is a moderate explanation of the poem of "Shams
Al-Usul".
8- Madarij Al-Kamaal
(The Paths of Perfection), which is a prolonged poem on jurisprudence and
contains about 2000 verses.
9- Ma'arij Al-Aamaal
(The ascensions of Hopes), which is an elaborated explanation of the poem
"Madarij Al-Kamaal". He started it in 1319 A.H., and dictated
eight volumes, but died before finishing the book.
10-
Talqin
Al-Subyan (Instructing Children), which is a Juristic
treatise directed mainly to children. He completed it in 1318 A.H.
11-
Jawhar
Al-Nizam (The Jewel of Verse), which is a wide poem on creed,
jurisprudence, and morals. It contains about 14 thousands verses. He started
composing it during his journey to pilgrimage in 1323 A.H. and completed it in
1329 A.H.
12-
Fatih
Al-Arudh wa Al-Qawafi (The Opener of Prosody and
Rhymes), which is a moderate poem on the science of Arudh (prosody) and Qawafi
(rhymes) and contains about 300 verses.
13-
Al-Manhal
Al-Safi (The Clear Source), which is an explanation of
the poem "Fatih Al-Arudh wa Al-Qawafi".
14-
Kashf
Al-Haqiqa (Revealing the Truth), which is a
poem about the principles of the Ibadhi sect. It contains 300 verses.
15-
Tuhfat
Al-A'ayaan (The Masterpiece of the Notables), which is a
book in two volumes about Omani history.
16-
Al-Lam'ah
Al-Murdhiyah (The Pleasant Shine), which is a
small treatise comprising an Introduction to Ibadhism.
17-
Sharh Musnad
Al-Rabee', which is a commentary on the book of Hadiths,
known as "Al-Jami' Al-Sahih" or "Musnad Al-Rabee'",
and was compiled by Imam Al-Rabee' ibn Habib Al-Farahidi. Imam Al-Salimi dictated
his commentary in three volumes.
Besides these works, Imam Al-Salimi
also dictated many treatises, poems, and fatwas (legal opinions).
Death
The
death of Imam Al-Salimi was for the sake of knowledge and its employment. The
reason was that a disagreement occurred between him and his teacher Sheikh
Majid ibn Khamis Al-Abri about the issue of graves endowments. So the Imam
decided to travel to Hamraa Al-Abriyeen for the purpose of convincing his
teacher with his point of view. On 18th of the month of Safar in the year 1332,
he headed for the homeland of his teacher. On his way, he entered the Village of
Bani Subh, where he got hit by a tree branch, which caused him to fall down
from his she-camel. He was then carried to his teacher, where he succeeded to
convince him of his point of view. After that, he was carried on shoulders to
Tanuf Village. He stayed for a short period and then passed to the Mercy of
Allah Almighty on the fifth night of the month of Rabee' Al-Awal in 1332 A.H.
(21st of January 1914 A.D.). He was buried in Tanuf and his tomb is well-known
to its people. May Allah shower him with His great Mercy.
Compiled by:
Basma
Said Al-Ghammari,
Reference:
Instructing
Children in what is required of Human, by Noor Al-deen Abdullah ibn
Humaid Al-Salimi; translation revised by: Al-Ifta Office.
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