Part 2

However Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sa'dee, rahimahullaah, wrote to him: "This is not possible, rather we hope that Muhammad will remain with us and benefit." Shaykh Muhammad, hafidhahullaah, himself said: "I was greatly influenced by him in his manner of teaching and presenting knowledge and making it understandable to the students by use of examples and explanations. I was also greatly influenced by his good manners. Indeed Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmaan, rahimahullaah, had excellent manners and character along with a great deal of knowledge and worship. He would joke pleasantly with the young and laugh with the elders, and he was the most excellent person in manners that I have seen." He also studied under the eminent and noble Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez ibn Baaz who is considered his second Shaykh. He began studying under him by studying sahih alBukhaaree, some of the works of Shaykh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah and some of the books of fiqh. Shaykh Muhammad says: "I was influenced by Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez ibn Baaz, hafidhahullaah, with regard to the great attention he gave to hadith, and I was also influenced by his manners and the way in which he makes himself available to and puts himself at the service of the people." In the year 1371 H he began teaching in the corigregational mosque, and when the educational institutes were opened in Riyadh he joined them in the year 1372 H. The Shaykh, hafidhahullaah, says: "I entered the educational institute in the second year and took up the studies upon the advice of Shaykh 'Alee as-Saalihee and having been given permission for that by Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sa'dee. The institute at that time had two sections: a general section and a higher level. I joined the higher level and it was also the case that anyone who wanted to complete their studies more quickly could do so by studying the following years work in the holiday period, and then take the exams at the start of the following year. If he passed the exam he could then pass on to the next year after that. So by this means I studied in a shorter time period." After two years he qualified and was given a teaching position in the educational institute of 'Unayzah, whilst continuing his own studies in affiliation with the College of Sharee'ah, and continuing his studies under Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sa'dee. When the noble Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sa'dee, rahimahullaah, died, Shaykh Muhammad was made imaam of the main congregational mosque of 'Unayzah, and took up teaching in the national library of 'Unayzah, in addition to teaching in the educational institute. He later moved to teaching in the College of Sharee'ah and the College of Usoolud-Deen (the Fundamentals and Principles of the Religion) in the Qaseem branch of Imaam Muhammad ibn Sa'ud Islamic University, which he continues to this day. He is also a member of the council of eminent scholars of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Shaykh, hafidhahullaah, is very active in calling to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and in enlightening the callers in every place. He has made great efforts in this field. It is also worthy of mention that the noble Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem, rahimahullaah, offered him and encouraged him to take the position of judge. Indeed he even sent out the decision that he had been given the position as head of the Sharee'ah court in Ahsaa, but he requested that he should be excused from taking the position. After a number of requests and personally speaking to him, the Shaykh, rahimahullaah, granted him his wish not to take up the post. His works: He has written around forty different works, some larger books and some treatises. These will, if Allaah wills, be combined in a single collection of his verdicts and treatises. The English Translation of Three Fundamental Principles of Islaam By Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhaab In the name of Allaah, the Most Merciful the Bestower of Mercy. Know, may Allaah have mercy upon you, that it is obligatory upon you to have knowledge of the four matters: (i) Knowledge (al – ‘ilm), which is knowledge and awareness of Allaah, and knowledge of His Prophet, and knowledge of the deen of Islaam with the proofs. (ii) Action upon that. (iii) Calling to that. (iv) Patiently persevering and bearing any harm encountered upon that way. The proof is the saying of Allaah, the Most High: “By time, mankind is in loss, except for those who truly believe and worship Allaah alone, and do righteous deeds, performing that which is obligatory upon them and avoiding that which they are forbidden and enjoin one another with patient perseverance upon obedience to Allaah and in facing harm and trials.” [Soorat Al ‘Asr] Ash Shaafi’ee, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “If Allaah had sent down to His creation no other proof besides this Soorat, it would have been sufficient for them.” Al Bukhaaree, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “Chapter: Knowledge precedes speech and action’ and the proof is the saying of Allaah, the Most High, “Know that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, and ask forgiveness of your Lord for your sins.” [Soorat Muhammad: 19].