Shaikh Mohammad Bin Saleh Al-Uthaimin
King Faisal Prize in Service to Islam 1994 Laureate
Mohammad bin Saleh Al-Uthaimin was born in Unaiza, in Quasim region (Saudi Arabia) in 1929. He memorized the Holy Quran during his childhood, pursued rigorous religious education in hadith, tafseer, fiqh, theology and Arabic language under the tutelage of renowned Saudi Ulema (Islamic scholars) and graduated from the College of Sharia in Riyadh.
Shaikh ibn Uthaimin, as he was commonly called, dedicated his entire life to the service of Islam and Muslims by sharing his vast knowledge of the Islamic creed with students and members of the public through regular classes, publications, radio programs, and preaching and counseling activities. These contributions, coupled with his exemplary Muslim qualities gained him the respect and admiration of Muslims around the world.
He was a member of the Saudi Commission of Senior Islamic Scholars, a professor at the College of Shari’a at Imam Mohammad bin Saud Islamic University in Quasim and a member of its Academic Council and author of more than 90 books and treatises dealing with different aspects of the Islamic doctrine. Among his most important books are his 15-volume book on fiqh and 10-volume book on the interpretation of the Holy Qur’an. He also used to teach at the Holy mosque in Makkah during Ramadan (fasting month).
Shaikh Al-Uthaimin died in 2001 after a long and productive life in the service of the Islamic religion.
Sheikh Al-Uthaimin was a Professor of Islamic Studies at Imam Mohammed bin Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and a member of the High Committee of Ulama’a. He has been awarded the King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam in recognition of his distinguished career as a Muslim scholar and his untiring efforts to foster the cause of Islam.
Sheikh Al-Uthaimin’s deep knowledge of Islam, disseminated through his many publications and teachings, as well as his outstanding qualities as a dedicated and profoundly faithful Muslim, have won him the respect and admiration of Muslims everywhere.
