Scholar Biographies



One should know that it is important to start with knowledge. The scholars are the heirs of the Prophets, i.e., they inherit knowledge. Whoever gains knowledge has gained great good fortune, and whoever follows a path to seek knowledge, Allaah will make easy for him the path to Paradise. Allaah said (interpretation of the meaning):

‘It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allaah’

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

‘but none will understand them except those who have knowledge’

[al-‘Ankaboot 29:43]

‘And they will say: “Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we would not have been among the dwellers of the blazing Fire!”’

[al-Mulk 67:10]

With regard to the way to gain knowledge, it is to fear Allaah (taqwa) and to be aware that He is always watching, in secret and in the open. Then one should learn from the scholars whose knowledge and religious commitment can be trusted. If you find a scholar who meets this description, then cling to him and consult him in order to gain knowledge. If you cannot find a scholar, then look for a seeker of knowledge (taalib ‘ilm), and if you cannot find such a person, then you must study by using tapes and books that deal with the basic issues of Islam according to the correct methodology of sharee’ah.

Shaykh Muhammad al-Ameen Ibn Muhammad al-Mukhtaar al-Jaknee

He was born in 1325 A.H. / 1897 C.E.

He memorised the Qur.aan when he was 10 years old with his uncle, 'Abdullaah Ibn Muhammad al-Mukhtaar Ibn Ibraaheem Ibn Ahmad Nooh al-Jaknee.

He studied tajweed and the art of writing the 'Uthmaanee mushaf with his cousin, Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Ibn Muhammad al-Mukhtaar.

He studied the basics of Arabic grammar such as al-'Aajaro Meeyah, the Prophet's (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) life history and the history of Arabian decent with his aunt.

As for the other fields of knowledge such as fiqh, tafseer, hadeeth, Arabic grammer, usool al-fiqh and poetry, then he studied with the most renowned scholars of the land, and all of them were from the tribe of al-Jaknee. Amongst them were:
Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih (popularly known as Ibn Ahmad al-Afram);
Shaykh Ahmad al-Afram Ibn Muhammad al-Mukhtaar;
Shaykh Ahmad Ibn 'Umar;
Shaykh Ahmad Ibn Mood;
Shaykh Muhammad an-Nimah Ibn Zaydaan;
Shaykh Ahmad Faal Ibn Aaduh.

He completed teaching the tafseer of the Noble Qur.aan twice in al-Masjid an-Nabawee, and as such his students numbered many, such that there exact number remains unknown. However, the following are a few:
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Ibn Baaz regularly attended his lessons in tafseer in al-Masjid an-Nabawee when he was head of the Islaamic University;
Shaykh 'Atiyyah Muhammad Saalim, the one who completed the writing of the Shaykh's tafseer Adwaa. al-Bayaan, after the Shaykh's death;
Shaykh Bakar Ibn 'Abdullaah Abu Zayd;
His son, Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Muhammad al-Ameen ash-Shanqeetee;
His other son, Shaykh Muhammad al-Mukhtaar Ibn Muhammad al-Ameen ash-Shanqeetee.

The Shaykh wrote a number of books which were distinguished by the strength of evidence he applied, the clarity of his message and methodology, and the originality of thought so evident, along with the precision of Arabic grammar. So from amongst his works are the following:
Adwaa. al-Bayaan fee Eedhaah al-Qur.aan bil-Qur.aan;
Aadaab al-Bahth wal-Munaatharah;
Daf'u Eehaam al-Idhtiraab 'an Aay al-Kitaab;
Alfiyah fil-Mantiq;
Khaalis al-Jamaan fee Dhikr Ansaab Banee 'Adnaan;
Man'u Jawaaz al-Majaaz fil Munazzal lit-Ta'abbud wal-I'jaaz;
Muthakkirah Usool al-Fiqh;
Manhaj Aayaat al-Asmaa. was-Sifaat;
Rajz fee Furoo' Mathhab Maalik Yakhtass bil-'Uqood min al-Buyoo' war-Ruhoon;
Sharh Maraaqee as-Sa'ood;
Nathm fil-Faraa.id.

As for his manners, then they were those of a man, a scholar who practiced what he preached, and he never permitted anyone to backbite in his gathering.

He was most noble and apathetic to what the life of this world had to offer. His was always truthful in speech, and most sincere - always prepared to change his point of view if presented with evidence.

He sought importance in seeking knowledge, and all fields of knowledge were just a means, as for the Book of Allaah, then it was the goal.

It was witnessed by those who frequented his lessons that his knowledge of the Book of Allaah was so strong and vast, that should anyone mention to him an aayah, then he would immediately respond with the aayah before and after it.

He died in 1393 A.H. / 1972 C.E.