Sheikh Muhammad ibn Salih ibn Muhammad ibn Sulaiman ibn Abdul Rahman al-Uthaymeen at-Tamimi

Sheikh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen was born on 27 رمضان 1347 AH (March 9, 1929 CE) in the city of Unayzah in the Qassim region of المملكة العربية السعودية, a region historically known for producing distinguished Islamic scholars. He began his education at a traditional kuttab (القرآنic school), memorizing القرآن at an early age before studying under several prominent scholars of the region, most notably Sheikh Abdur-Rahman ibn Nasir as-Sa'di, the renowned القرآنic commentator, whose pedagogical approach deeply influenced al-Uthaymeen's own teaching methodology. He also studied under Sheikh Abdul Aziz ibn Baz, who recognized his exceptional intellectual abilities and encouraged him to pursue advanced scholarship.

Al-Uthaymeen's teaching career spanned over five decades. He taught at the Scientific Institute in Unayzah, then at the Faculty of Shariah and Usul al-Din at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, where he became a professor of fiqh and usul al-fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence and its principles). However, it was his regular lectures at the Grand المسجد of Unayzah and his الحج-season lectures at the المسجد الحرام in مكة that earned him an international following. His teaching style was characterized by an extraordinary ability to break down complex legal reasoning into language accessible to both scholars and laypeople, using vivid examples and logical progressions that made his explanations memorable and practical.

His contributions to الحج scholarship are particularly noteworthy. Every year during the الحج season, he would deliver comprehensive lectures on the rituals of الحج, answering hundreds of questions from الحجاج about their specific circumstances. These sessions were recorded and transcribed, eventually forming a vast archive of practical الحج guidance that addresses virtually every scenario a الحاج might encounter. His approach to الحج rulings was distinguished by a balance between scholarly rigor and compassionate pragmatism — he was known for seeking ease for الحجاج wherever the evidence permitted, particularly for the elderly, the sick, and women. He served as a member of the Council of Senior Scholars and the اللجنة الدائمة for Scholarly Research and Ifta. Sheikh al-Uthaymeen passed away on January 10, 2001 (15 Shawwal 1421 AH) in Jeddah, and his funeral الصلاة was performed at the المسجد الحرام in مكة, attended by an immense gathering of mourners from across the Muslim world.