On the Passing of Shaykh, Dr. Saleh as-Saleh
Just before maghrib today (UK time) I received the very sad news that Shaykh, Dr. Saleh as-Saleh passed away shortly after the ‘asr prayer [correction (12/02/08): the Shaykh passed away after praying Salaatul-Jumu'ah] in the Prophet’s Masjid. Shaykh, Dr. Muhammad al-Jibaly wrote via his yahoo group:
“I did not believe the news at first, but just called his phone, and his wife confirmed it to me, and said he was too exhausted, and this was the main cause of his death (at the young age of about 50). She said his body is now in al-Ansar hospital, and will be buried tomorrow morning in al-Baqee’.
His passing on Jumu’ah, and in the Prophet’s Masjid while performing ‘ibaadah, are indeed very good indicators. May Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) forgive him, augment his good deeds tremendously, and admit him to Jannah in the company of the prophets and the most righteous.”
Like Dr. Muhammad al-Jibaly, many of us were in shock when we first head of Dr. Saleh as-Saleh’s passing, to the point that none of us wanted to believe it. This alone goes to show the high esteem in which many held him, the great love that they had for him and how sorely they will miss him.
I first started attending the online classes of Dr. Saleh as-Saleh a few years ago and benefitted immensely from them, not just from his knowledge, but from his manners and his wisdom and patience in calling to the path of Allaah.
Those who encountered the Shaykh could not help but be touched by him, his sincerity, his concern for others and his strong desire to help those who needed it. Just a quick scout around the internet is enough to realise the impact he had on those of us in the English speaking world and many accounts of people’s personal experiences with the Shaykh are today a plenty.
I had been thinking of writing on the topic of “having concern for others” and it is in this vain that I make mention of an incident that will forever remain dear to me. As I have previously mentioned I had been attending the online classes of Shaykh Saleh as-Saleh, but had to stop when I moved house because I was without internet connection and had to wait a month or so before they could connect it.
During that period Dr. Saleh as-Saleh emailed me asking me how I was and wanted me to email him back to (at the very least) let him know that I was alright, he also asked me to forgive him for anything that he may have done to offend me. His email really touched me because it was full of sincerity and showed real concern for me, yet he hardly knew me at the time.
Such concern for others was not something unique to me, for indeed many experienced such selfless acts from our beloved Shaykh.
He dedicated all of his free time to teaching and spreading Islam, and would on a daily basis spend his evenings and the early hours of the morning (sometimes right up until the fajr prayer) teaching us (in the West) via his online classes. I do not know when the Shaykh had time to sleep.
Dr. Saleh as-Saleh has left behind a mountain of knowledge, with there being well over one thousand audio lectures and a plethora of articles on his website (www.understand-islam.net) alone, not to mention his published works. I have a number of transcriptions from the classes of the Shaykh available on my blog, and I am in the process of transcribing more. May Allaah make all of it an ongoing charity for him, ameen!
I ask Allaah to shower His Mercy on the Shaykh, forgive him his sins, grant him Jannah and give his family patience and grant them ease in their affairs, ameen!
Aboo Uthmaan
1st Safar 1429 A.H
(Corresponding to Friday 8th February 2008 C.E)
About the Shaykh, Dr. Saleh as-Saleh:
Dr. Saleh as-Saleh was from the foremost students of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen. He took knowledge from the Shaykh from a long distance for a while, then on a continuous basis from 1412-1415H and then regularly from 1415H where he became a dedicated student and studied with him until his death in 1421H. Dr. Saleh lived around 500 yards from Shaykh al-Uthaymeen’s house and has been blessed by Allaah to have obtained a PHd in Medical Biochemistry and was a professor at Qaasim University, KSA. Furthermore, he is a well-known author of many great writings and books. He resided in ‘Unayzah, KSA and was active in his call to the Salafi da’wah. He held regular classes in the English Language on Paltalk, under Social Issues, Room: Understand Islam.
1st Safar 1429 A.H corresponds to Feb. 8th 2008 not January 8th.
Jazakallaah khayr for this post. Indeed He will be missed by many Insha Allaah. May Allaah grant him Jannatul Firdaws. Aameen. Barakallaah feek Akhi. Was-salaam.
May Allah grant him with jennat al-Firdaus, ameen.
May Allah make his grave a garden from the gardens of jennah, ameen.
Here in Holland we are deep shocked and very sad that we have lost a man of knowlegde (again, in one week subhan Allah).
La hawla wa la quwa illa billeh.
Asallam alaikum warahmatullaahi wabarakatuh
Innalillahi wa inna ilahi rajiuna
Subhannallaah we are all in great speechless mode!
May Allaah make him among the mufaridoon and al mutaqoon and grant his family sabr and make him among the most forgiven slaves and among the most beloved ones and rise him in ranks and unit him with the most noble and salih servants of ALLAH SUBHANAHU WATAALLAAH!
Allahuma gfhirhoem wa 3afiehoem wa akrim noezulahoem wa dja’alhoem min ashaabil firdauws.
Ah, yes Br. Ali, jazak’Allaahu khair. I thought when writing what I did we were still in January for some reason, corrected now.
Ameen to all of the supplications!
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhee Raajioon.
I ask ALLAH to shower HIS Mercy on our beloved Shaikh and admit him into the highest degree of Jannah, Al Firdaws. Aameen!!!! He was indeed a pillar of dawah upholding the Sunnah and he will indeed be missed and will live on through his numerous works that will serve to be an ongoing charity for him. May ALLAH reward him and forgive him his sins Aameen!!!
As salaamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakatuhu, jazakhallaahu khairan brother, you have truly captured a moment with the Dr. Shaykh Saleh As-Saleh (rahimahullahu ta’aalaa). May Allaah Grant him and you Saddaqatul Jariyyah for all of the efforts, Allaahummah Ameen Yaa Rabb.
Assalamu alaykum,
Kullu nafsin daa-iqatu almawt. I was so shocked, when I heard the news, I did not believe it. They played his lectures in different places on the net, and hearing his voice made me cry continusly. We have lost a great man, with great knowledge. WAlhamdulilah that his knowledge is still with us, so that we may benefit from it, his sadaqa jaariya, insha Allah. Barakalahu feek for this article, I think you described him as we all knew him. A great and modest scholar, with great manners and wisdom in his da’wah.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’un. Ra7imahu-llah. May Allah grant him jannat al Firdaus.
Ameen on all the ad’iyaa.
“How will it be when your scholars are few, and your speakers are plenty… and they will issue fatwaa against my sunnah and the people will following them until the true people of the sunnah will appear to be strange… glad tidings to the strangers…”
From Allah do we come and Unto Allah shall we return. Being a woman of the dawah who like the Shaikh did, devotes almost all my time to calling the people to the sunnah…I never got to meet the shaikh and only spoke to him once… But that one time was enough… for the people of the sunnah are indeed strange yet familiar unto one another.
The shaikh spoke out for me when others spoke against me… and commended me on a job “well done” saying there needed to be more women of the dawah…
May Allah bless Shaikh Saleh as-Saleh, forgive him for all his sins and raise him up to the highest levels of paradise with the fore-runners and place his soul in the form of a green bird for now that flies happily thru the jannah… ameen ameen ameen.
Asalamo alayakum wa rahamtuallahi wa barakatuh
Myself being one of the students of our beloved brother Dr. Saleh as-Saleh, know him since 2004, I have not seen anyone online in knowldge in his level, and having paitence, spending hours teaching us even sometimes up to fajr, giving all his time by passing knowldge, and alhmadhullah he has left sea of knowldge which everyone can benefit which will be sadaqatul jariyah for our beloved brother insha Allah: http://www.understand-islam.net
May Allah swt grant our teacher with Jannatul firdous and give patience to his family Ameen.
salam alikum
may Allah have mercy on him. i read somewhere that Shaykh al-Jibaly said that he used be on the QSS board before he moved to KSA. is there a more detailed bio of the shaykh? was he from US/Canada? does somebody know about him more, about his nationality, etc.?
Salamunalaykum warahmatullah
Sheikh saleh taught me everything, how to learn, how to respect, how to understand, how to think….
He was always there…
I could always logon to paltalk to find him and ask him anything i wanted. He would always be there.
We have scholars today alhumdulilah, big ones too alhumdulilah, but for people like me .. they are not reachable..
Sheikh saleh was reachable.. he was real…a source of knowledge for us…
may Allah grant him jannatul firdous al alaa ameen
Surely, we are Allah’s, and surely to Him we will return.
I was shocked to say the least when I logged onto MSN today and saw your name. May Allah have mercy on Dr. Saleh and grant his family with patience and resolve during this time of loss. Surely, we are Allah’s, and surely to Him we will return.
[...] On the Passing of Shaykh, Dr. Saleh as-Saleh His passing on Jumu’ah, and in the Prophet’s Masjid while performing ‘ibaadah, are indeed very good indicators. May Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) forgive him, augment his good deeds tremendously, and admit him to Jannah in the company of the prophets and the most righteous.” [...]
Tears filled my eyes for someone whom I was eager to meet. May Allaah give his family strength and patience and place for him bright light, spacious dwelling and a view of his final aboard in the garden in the company of the anbiah. Ameen
La Hwala wa la Khuata Illa Bi’Allah. SubhanAllah. I could not believe it either. I felt an immense sadness when I heard of the passing of Dr Saleh last night. Surely death comes to us all, but it had passed my mind before that whenever it was to be that Dr Saleh would leave us we would have lost much. I didn’t think he’d had to leave us so soon. I then smiled and thought, MashaAllah Allhamdulillah for we can only hope and pray that our beloved Sheyk was at the peak of his emaan, hope that he had attained his Jannah in this life and that he will be granted Jannah in the hereafter. Oh Allah , grant our beloved dearest sheik, our brother and our beloved friend Dr Saleh Jannah. Ameen.
Bismillaaah
Subhanallaah… I find this very heavy on the heart, subhanallaah - he was always there for us, online, offline, email - so accessable, always made time for us
He taught us the deen, manners, how to seek knowledge.
He use to laugh with us (red rose), cry with us (when speaking of the scholars) subhanallaah…
This really does hurt…
The thing that consoles me is that subhanallaah, he passed away in madeenah, inshallaah many will attend his janazh, and inshallaah he will be raised with the best of people…
Oh Allaah accept his good deeds, expand his grave, make his time easy… oh Allaah make it easy for us (those who listened and are affected by him).
Oh Allaah raise his ranks in jannah and grant him firdous al-a’laa - aameen ya rabb.
subhanallaah
All the comments thus far show what a great loss to us all the Shaykh is and the sadness we are all currently feeling.
Just received an update in my inbox from Shaykh, Dr. Muhammad al-Jibaly:
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmat Ullaah.
Just came back from the Janaazah of Saleh as-Saleh (r). We prayed over him here at the Prophet’s Masjid, then carried him over to al-Baqee’, then watched while two men entered into the grave and two others handed them the body. The body was placed in the lahd, facing the qiblah. Many brothers formed a train transporting the bricks that were then placed behind the body so as to seal the lahd off the rest of the grave. Finally, we started dumping soil into the grave until it was filled to the top, and we stayed a short while around the grave supplicating for him.
His son, Rasheed (about 23 years old), told me that his father died following a sharp drop in his diabetic sugar level while he was leaving from Jumu’ah prayer yesterday. He was immediately transported to al-Ansaar hospital where he passed away soon thereafter. May Allaah forgive him, engulf him with His mercy, and admit him and us into His spacious Garden.
Rasheed has one daughter, and he told me that his mother had recently embraced Islam after he had extended discussions with her in US. In addition to Rasheed and his sister (from the American wife), Saleh had Abdurrahman and Asmaa from a second wife (all currently in Egypt ), and he has several children (probably five) from his current wife, the oldest son being Abdullaah (about 12 years old, was present during the burial). May Allaah (T) grant his family patience, acceptance, and submission to Allaah’s will, and may He reward them for their great loss.
Was-salaamu ‘alaykum
Abu ‘Abdillaah Muhammad al-Jibaly
Al-Madeenah al-Munawwarah
Assalamo aliakom
I was blessed also to participate in his doroos, and so like everyone else was shocked.
Inna lillahe wa inna elayhe rejioon.
The only reason i came to paltalk was because of him, he provided us english speakers a bridge to the scholars and there works.
He helped us even with our personal questions.
May Allah make his reckoning easy and allow him to be steadfast in the grave and raise him amongst the rightous. May Allah also grant his family patience.
He was a blessing for the people of Sunnah and a thorn for the stubborn disbelivers and deviants. I will always remember his patience and consistancy and the one who taught me manners.
It seems shiekh muhammad al jibaly knew him well, who is he and does he have a website?
I wanted to one day go and meet him, inshallah Allah will unite us in paradise.
As Salaamu Alaikum:
From Allah we come, to Him we return.
May Allah (swt) grant him the best seat in Jannah, and comfort his family/Ameen.
[...] Just before maghrib today (UK time) I received the very sad news that Shaykh, Dr. Saleh as-Saleh passed away shortly after the asr prayer in the Prophets Masjid. Shaykh, Dr. Muhammad al-Jibaly wrote via his yahoo group: I did not believe the news at first, but just called his phone, and his wife confirmed it to me, and said he was too exhausted, and this was the main cause of his death (at the young age of about 50). She said his body is now in al-Ansar hospital, and will be buried tomorrow morning in al-Baqee. His passing on Jumuah, and in the Prophets Masjid while performing ibaadah, are indeed very good indicators. May Allaah (subhaanahu wa taaala) forgive him, augment his good deeds tremendously, and admit him to Jannah in the company of the prophets and the most righteous. Like Dr. Muhammad al-Jibaly, many of us were in shock when we first head of Dr. Saleh as-Salehs passing, to the point that none of us wanted to believe it. This alone goes to show the high esteem in which many held him, the great love that they had for him and how sorely they will miss him. Read more here. [...]
Aww God bless his soul and rest him in peace ameen.
He was good shaykh and he died and had a good ending masha Allah…
Thank you all my brothers and sisters who post this God bless you all.
I think for those of us who relied on his, rahimahullaah, knowledge, the impact of the news was similar. As sister umm Hafsa and few others mentioned, the difference between dr. saleh and those greater than him in knowledge is that dr. saleh was reachable, and a direct source for us to benefit from.
When I first started attending, I felt deep regret that these classes existed for long before and I did not know of them. I was also extremely greatful for discovering them, to the point that there wasn’t a single person I came across except that I would inform them of the classes, because I truly believed they were missing out.
The thought of his depature would cross my mind at times, and just the thought of it would shake me up, so I would immediately make du’a for Allaah to preserve him.
Dr. Muhammad al-jibaly mentioned that Dr. Saleh’s wife mentioned that exhaustion was the main cause of his death. This does not come as a surprise for those who witnessed Dr. Saleh’s live lessons. He was hardworking, patient, and eager to benefit others. If the time became late, and there was a non-muslim inquiring about Islam, or a muslim with misconceptions, he would remain for another hour or so to address them.. Rahimahullaah. All this on top of all his other responsiblities, and commitments.
We can only hope that Allaah will shower him with His mercy and admit him into His jannaatin-na’eem.
I think many of us share the enjoyment of seeing fairness-1 sign on after eagerly waiting, fearing class may be canceled today. His absence for a day or two was hard enough. Imagine, now he will not return. May Allaah grant us better than what we lost.
bint_mukhtar
[...] http://www.albaseerah.org/forum/showthread.php?p=15686#post15686 http://aboouthmaan.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/on-the-passing-of-shaykh-dr-saleh-as-saleh/ [...]
Asalaamu 3alaikum wa Ra7matulahi wa Barakatuhu,
May Allaah have mercy on him and grant him Jannah Al-Firdaus
Ameen.
Inna li Llaahi wa Innaa Illaahi Raadji’un,
Alhamdu li Llaahi Kathira,
It is very emotional news that our sheikh is died yesterday. Laa 7awlaa wa laa qoewata Illaa bi llaah.
As’aloe Llaah an yaghfir sheikhana wa jazaahoe aljennatu firdaus.
innalillah wa inna ilayhi raji`un. i ask Allah the most merciful, the all forgiving to have mercy on our shaykh dr saleh and to join us and him in jannah with the righteous.
The eyes are shedding tears and the heart is grieved, and we will not say except what pleases our Lord.
For the ones who attented his classes, it is clear how unique and sincere this man was. His da’wah was so strong, because he was always there for us – for the brothers and sisters in the west. Never did he classify himself as someone with a lot of knowledge and he was so humble. Sometimes he was even there with the day of ‘Eid, as if he knew that there were people out there who didn’t have anyone to celebrate this day with. Everybody knows how difficult it sometimes can be to reach out to the scholars that have perhaps more knowledge than he, but he became a referencepoint for people from Sweden to Holland untill Canada. His dead is such a great, great loss.
We won’t forget how patient he was in teaching and how he could help you if you didn’t understand something. He gave us the change to understand that Islamic knowledge is something very deep and not shallow – even if we speak about so-called basis knowledge.
When there was someone in the room who wanted to became a Muslim, he would stop the class to give all his time and attention to that person – sometimes untill late in the night – to clear all the misconceptions that someone might have. So many people became Muslim because of his sincere call en they kept coming back.
We won’t forget his humor, especially when he gave someone a red rose and would send another one tot the Mindon Café. Sometimes he would quietly ask if everybody was asleep and if nobody answered…
We will remember his love for Allah and His Messenger and often you would hear in his voice how deep this love was, because his voice broke and he became overwhelmed with emotions. Sometimes he would comtemplate on an aya or hadeeth for a time while I would have read the same aya or hadeeth with negligence. As soon as there was a moment of silence – because somebody was preparing a question – you would hear him remembering Allah or asking for forgiveness.
It is not possible to describe what an impact he had on the way we look to Islam and that we should always refer to Allah and His Messenger with the understanding of the Salaf as-Salih and how we should have a balanced life. He learned us wisdom, patience and kindness because he practised these characteristics by himself. He remembered us that this life has one goal and that is to attain the Pleasure of Allah and to see His Face in the next life, because that is the greatest happiness.
What a utter loss for us, but we truly hope that he will attain peace and tranquillity in the next life…
Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi Raaji’un
subhanAllaah, this is such a great loss for us, especially for us in the west. May Allaah have mercy on all of us. Our beloved shaykh was one of the very few from the people of knowledge in Saudi who could speak to us in English. He would spend EVERY night, EVERY DAY just reaching the ‘ilm to us within our own homes. Shaykh Saleh meant so much to me, he has really made me who I am today – he taught us how to pray, rulings on fasting, funerals, haj, tafseer, mustalihul hadeeth, manners and the list can go on. All one has to do is visit his website to see the mountain of knowledge that he has left for us there.
The salaf used to say: “Whenever I hear the death of a scholar from the sunnah, I feel as though one of my limbs has been ripped off from me.”
As our Arabic has not reached a level where we can take knowledge from the ‘ulamaa directly, our beloved shaykh offered us high quality knowledge and hearing of him gone, it feels just as how the salaf described it, as if a BIG part of you is now not there.
SubhanAllaah I miss him greatly and I ask Allaah to bless him with no less than jannat al-firdous al-‘alaa. I ask Allaah, to aid us in practising the huge amounts of knowledge that he left us with, and to re-unite us together on the day of resurrection so that we may see His face. Aameen.
O Allah, forgive Sheikh Saleh and have mercy upon him, excuse him and pardon him, and make honourble his reception. Expand his entry, and cleanse him with water, snow, and ice , and purify him of sin as a white robe is purifed of filth. Exchange his home for a better home, and his family for a better family, and his spouse for a better spouse. Admit him into the garden, O Allah protect him from the punishment of the grave and the torment of the Fire… ameen
I have learn so much from Sheikh Saleh, and has always admired his patience in speaking with even the most irrate person. His wisdom in teaching with sincerity and concerns for the Muslim ummah was unmatched by any that I know of.. I will surely miss him …May Allah grant him the highest station in Paradise (Jannatul Firdous) …ameen ameen ameen
Inna li Llaahi wa Innaa Illaahi Raadji’un.
May Allah the most high grant him Jannat Al Firdos.
From the website:
“Sheikh Dr. Saleh as-Saleh, may Allaah have mercy on him, passed away on Friday, 2nd Safar 1429 AH corresponding to February 8th 2008. He fainted whilst leaving Al-Masjid Al-Nabawee after attending the Salatul-Jumu’aah and died on the way to the hospital. The Janaazah prayer was held in Al-Masjid Al-Nabawee on 3rd Safar 1429 AH corresponding to February 9th, 2008. He was buried in alBaqee’
May Allaah forgive him, expand his grave and grant him the highest abode in Jannah. Allaahumma ameen
If you would like to share your experience with our sheikh please email us at info@understand-islam.net”
bint mukhtar
As salaamu alaikom wa rahmatullahi wa baraktuh
Sh- Dr Saleh as-Saleh
He was a great man who taught a lot and spend a lot of time on us, and “indeed the hearth is sadened, and the eyes shed tears but we do not do anything that displeases Allah”
May Allah grant him Jannah, RahimahuAllah, and we should benefit him by making du’aa for him for Allah to forgive him, and act upon what he taught us, of that, which was in accordance with Islam.
Inna li Llaahi wa Innaa Illaahi Raadji’un.
I knew the brother in person after I meet him in paltalk, May Allah swt grant him the best place in paradise.
It is a great lost to me personally, I seen of him what every muslim should be, his goals was clear, his knowledge was from the Quran and the sunnah, His work atheic, and energy was over any normall person I seen in my life.
The brother was genrious, kind, wise, and more important was a friend who ask about me, my wife, my children, and how is my business going? and If I want any help.
Oh Allah, I loved him, and Join us again in paradise, with all the brothers and sisters who loved him.
Oh Allah, Bestow mercy, patience on us, his familly, and all of his students.
Oh Allah, His children lost a father, but you are the most mercifull for them and for us.
May Allah swt bring from the Ummah many like him, and May Allah swt grant all of you content and sabr over this lost.
Salam aluikom wr Allah wb
Subhanallah, what shocking news , it is so hard to get my head around it. He was a tremendous help to the non- muslims who were searching for Islam, he brought many ino islam with his knowlegde and understanding of the west. He truely will be missed. May Allah shower his mercy on him and make ease for his family ameen. May Allah forgive me for the times I did not attend his lessons or be attentive as I should have ameen.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon.
Reading the words of his students truly warms my heart, and I can only echo their words, which, subhaanAllah, resonate with all who encountered and witnessed such realities.
How immense the ‘ilm was that he dispensed, but one learned from his akhlaaq just as much, and perhaps for many it is this aspect that will stay with them, that which comes to mind when they reciount their fondest memories of him. His humility, his patience, his wisdom, his beautiful akhlaaq, his frequent rememberance, his humor, his modesty - subhaanAllah, he is a great loss for our Ummah, and still, he has left a wealth of knowledge behind by which we may continue to benefit. May we continue to do so and May Allah ta’ala accept it as sadaqa jariyah, and cause from increasinghis scale of good deeds.
May Allah ta’ala engulf him in His mercy, forgive his sins, accept his deeds and noble efforts. May Allah ta’ala make his grave a garden from the gardens of Paradise & admit him into the highest level of Jannah.
Allahumma Ameen.
Wa Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu.
Bismillah. As Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Inna Lillahi wa Inna Alaiyhi Rajiun. Words can’t express how much I am going to miss Shaykh Dr. Saleh as-Saleh Rahimahullah. I just started attending his classes on a regular basis last year during a time when I was going through some trials in my life. I found comfort in his classes. If he didn’t come on or for some reason I had to miss his class I didn’t feel right. I learned so much from him in what it would seem like a short period of time. My children were also attached to him and would sit and listen to him with me for hours as long as he kept the room open. We all are deeply saddened by his death but what Allah has decreed must come to pass. I don’t know if we will get someone like him to teach us. There’s no one out there like him. Ya Rabbi make his grave spacious and open up for him the fragrances of Paradise, forgive him for his sins, protect him from the punishment of the grave and Hellfire and grant him an immense reward for the way he has touched all our lives and the ‘ilm he has left for all of us to benefit from. ameen O Allah raise him up with the prophets, messengers and the righteous, and grant him the highest place in Paradise ameen Ya Rabbi bestow upon his family patience and Your Mercy and contentment of that which you have decreed for them o Lord of the alameen ameen May Allah forgive me for anything that I have said that is incorrect ameen.
May Allaah reward you all for your comments and ameen to all of your supplications!
This weekend gone I spoke with my good friend and brother in Egypt, Salah. Coincidently it was Dr. Saleh as-Saleh who introduced me to Br. Salah, this was after I asked Dr. Saleh if he knew of anyone in Egypt who could help me find accommodation and settle in upon my arrival in Alexandria. Br. Salah actually met our Shaykh on three occasions, so what follows is Br. Salah’s personal account of his meetings with Dr. Saleh as-Saleh:
Asslamo alykum warhmtuaAllah wabarkatouh
Dear brothers and sisters
First off I would like to console myself and you all for the death of our Sheikh. May Allah have mercy upon him! I met him twice in Cairo, Egypt last year and again three months ago. I knew Dr. Saleh through his online classes that started several years ago and at that time I was a high school student. I was listening to his daily classes and learnt alot from him (jazahu Allah khirn) and since then I kept learning from him.
The first time I met him:
Last year Dr. Saleh informed me that he would be coming to Cairo and he wanted to meet up with me, along with another Egyptian brother. I met him and we walked along by the River Nile discussing alot of Islamic issues, that was a great chance for me to ask him whatever I needed and mash’Allah his answers were perfect. Then he took us to Yamani restaurant and mash’Allah we ate alot of food and every time we said that is enough he kept saying come on guys eat more even though he was the one who was suppose to pay the bill (may Allah show him generosity in jannah , Ameen) after we left the restaurant he spoke to me and told me he wanted to me to teach his son Abdurhmaan Qur’an , and of course I accepted but on one catch I did not charge him, he said akh Salah the believers on their conditions, if you take money then teach him if not then don’t teach him, and finally we took him home and left him… One more thing I recall before we said goodbye to him, I wanted to kiss his hand he said don’t bend over for non except Allah.
The second time I met him was only three months ago:
As usual every time he came to Cairo he used to inform me and ask me to meet him, but this time I was in a city called Rasheed about 3 hours away from Cairo, however I didn’t hesitate to leave everything behind to meet him and I travelled to Cairo. I was with an American brother who recently had become a Muslim and I said it’s good chance for him to meet Dr. Saleh and learn from him … we met up again and that was very funny, the Sheikh wanted to eat good Egyptian food in a good restaurant and he thought I would have known all restaurants in Cairo, but the fact I didn’t know any restaurant LOL, he was like OH how come you live here and don’t know about that, I said Dr. to be honest I’m a very, very poor student and all I know is poor restaurants LOL, he laughed so loud and after a while he had an idea which was to ask a taxi driver and he would know that, that was smart idea from smart person … The taxi took us to one of the most expensive restaurants in Egypt, however Dr. Saleh didn’t mind and invited us, we ate alot and while eating we had very, very nice discussion, it was in English since we had an American brother and alhmdulilah the American brother learnt alot about Islam, especially about the creed which I can say Dr. Saleh is one of the best Sheikhs who can teach it. After we ate together we left the restaurant and walked along by the Nile River for about 3 hours talking about Islam then we took the sheikh home then left him and returned to where the American bro and I live, Rasheed.
The last time I met Dr. Saleh (May Allah have mercy upon him):
After I arrived home I spoke to the Sheikh on Paltalk and thanked him for this great opportunity he had given us. While I was talking to him I said to myself why don’t I invite him to my city and let him try my mum’s food and I already did and he accepted the invitation even though he had no time coz he was going to leave Cairo the day after. I explained to him how to take the train then he did and arrived safe alhmdulilah. The American bro and I met him at the station and picked him up. He spent a night in my house, we ate together, prayed together, spoke for a very long time even about his personal life and before he went to bed he gave me money. I remember 300 Saudi Riyal and gave some money to the American brother as a help and he promised to take him to Ummrah. Then he went to bed and I woke up him up before fajr to have our suhur since that was Thursday and he said let’s all fast, we prayed fajr together and spoke until 8am, a time for him to take the bus. He took alot of pictures from my house coz he liked the Nile River (My house right on the Nile River), then I went with him to the bus station and the last funny situation I remember when I asked the bus driver if he had an empty seat or not, he said for you yes but for the Sheikh no, the sheikh said why ya akhee he said coz I’m gonna play music and you won’t like that and I fear only Allah (we say that in Egypt when you wanna tell somebody you don fear him), the Sheikh then said if you really fear Allah you wouldn’t have played what Allah doesn’t like … May Allah have mercy upon our dear Sheikh Dr. Saleh and grant him jannah , Ameen.
One more thing I wanna say that the Sheikh sent me a message three days ago (Thursday, the day before he passed away) and said jazakaALLH KHIRN give Salaams to your family and brothers and bro Tony (the American bro) and salamo alykum.
That was the last thing I ever heard from Dr. Saleh rahimahu Allah Ta’ala!
Finally our duty towards Dr. Saleh:
To spread his books and all the literature he had left.
As for me I will do my best to look after his son Abdurhmaan in Cairo insh’Allah.
rahima Allah our dear Sheikh .
assalmo alykum wr wb
Brother Salah
Assalaamu alaykum.
From Allah we are, unto him is our return.
I know Dr. Saleh from understanding islam room, his knowledge, patience and compassion were exemplary. May ALLAH reward him with the best.
Many new bros’ and sis benefitted alot from his gift wrapped in blue. May ALLAH give him the gift beyond our imagination. ameen.
As salaamu ‘alaikum
innal lillaahi wa innal lillaahi ra’jioon
I met Dr.Saleh in the year 2006 through a sister from the uk. At that time I would sit and listen to him or listen while i do what ever I am doing. Then as I started going to work I would log on and listen. Then after seeking to increase my emaan and talking to one of the class mates taahira who would send me the questions, I started to get more involved in the class taking notes and doing the questions and I really started feeling better about my deen I also had my family listening to him i would invite other sisters to listen too. He was really a good and patient teacher I will always love and remember him may Allaah ta’ala grant him jannah al firdus and protect him from the fire I will always keep the gift wraped in blue close to me to shae with others. I am the one who ask for more questions after he said he would away for five days. Then he give us twenty queestions not knowing he would not be able to answer them Allaahu a’lim. nick in class amatullaah_6_1_1`
subhanallaah!Brother Salahs stories are indeed heart warming. Indeed he was very blessed by Allaah subhanahu wa ta’aala to have known Dr. Saleh (Raheemullaahu ta’aala) so well.how many would have looked forward to oneday know him so well.Im sure many would have loved to be his favourite student, But by everyones reaction to his death you can see he made all of us feel so special.May Allaah ease this burden of loss we feel. Indeed ” The eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, But we only say what pleases our Lord.” Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon. I too take great comfort in hoping that one day we will have our duas answered and be united with him in Al Jannah.Allaahumma Ameen! was-salaam
“Al-hamdulillaah was-salaatu was-salaamu ‘alaa Rasoolillaaah” - To proceed:
“Asslaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhuhu”
” Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon”
Indeed ” The eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, But we only say what pleases our Lord.”
Ya Rabb make his grave spacious and open up for him the fragrances of Paradise, forgive him for his sins, Aameen ! Ya Rabbil A’lameen raise him up with the prophets, messengers and the righteous, and grant him the highest place in Paradise Aameen! Ya Allaah! bestow upon his family patience and thaqwa !
Ya Sheikh you will be in my prayers always Insha Allaah…
Was-salaam
humble stranger
inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un
Rahimahullah wa adkhalahul Jannah. Aamiin
Innaalillaahi wainnaa ilaihi raajioon…
Aboo Abdullah Irshad as-Saylani
Asalamu Alaykum Warhamtullah Wabakratuhu,
I cannot access paltalk from where I live, I have to subscribe for the service and all along I was listening to the recorded audio from his site.Saturday morning I decided to head to the bank and renew my credit card so I can use paltalk especially for the sheikh’s classess. May Allah have mercy on him, I was dressed and ready to leave ,meanhwhile I opened my inbox and read the sad news,ina lilah wa ina ilahey rajeeon.Will you all believe me if I say that almost EVERY saturday morning I would think of going to the bank to renew my card just for the sake of the sheikhs classes and everytime something was holding me back, either work,sleep or anything since it was my only day off. I cannot express my grief in words, my heart is soo heavy and the sheikh is certainly in my duas.
as salamu ‘aleykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh
the last time I heard of the sheykh rahimahullaah was the day before his death in which he announced that classes won’t be on for 5 days…someone said “ya sheykh that is too long, we will miss you” to which the sheykh laughed…he was very friendly while at the same time very focused and serious when it comes to the matters of deen. I enjoyed his responses to the non-muslims and found great benefit in them for myself…I always wanted to transcribe it word for word on how he explains to them who Allaah is…I enjoyed that mashaaAllaah…I knew the sheykh only for 2 years and it was such a comfort that he was there at a click of a mouse, tabarak Allaah. This news now, made me realize how we were truely blessed and how much time I have wasted. I want to study now and become serious and may Allaah help me aamiin…I was looking over some books to purchase to help me study and I felt very sick to my stomach because I now lost such ease to access explanation as needed, a scholar to go through the books with me and being at this distance as I’am away from the scholars aswel as very lil arabic I’am once again limited as I was before I knew the sheykh (rahimahullaah). And then I remember how he always reminded us of Allaah…describing Him to us as He ta’aala described Himself. He strove to aquaint us with our Lord and the sunnah of our beloved prophet (salAllaahu ‘aleyhi wa salam), he was concerned and that was apparent. Now I must remind myself and work harder bi’ithnillaah. Our end is awaiting and may Allaah grant us a good ending and grant us all jannat to be with the prophet (sal Allaahu ‘aleyhi was salam), his companions and our sheykh along with our loved ones of family….aamiin
wa`alaykumus-salaam warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh. These are lovely testimonials, maashaa’Allaah. Ameen to all of our sincere dua’a… When I finally hooked up to the Internet after being out of country for a couple of years, one of the first sites I came across was understand-islam.net, walillaahil-hamd. I bookmarked it and visited nearly everyday to read Dr. Saleh’s articles and listen to his lectures. May Allaah shower him with mercy and grant him the highest Abode ameen. I was unable to access paltalk for a year, though I wanted so much to attend his live classes there, then one day my computer upgraded itself and I had the paltalk - immediately I went to social issues ->human rights -> understanding islam-1, and for about two years I was able to attend the Shaykh’s classes and benefitted more than ever in my life as a Muslim. Like so many of us here, I can truly say that Dr. Saleh - rahimahullaah - was a brilliant teacher, kind and generous with his time and resources, caring and understanding for all of his students and an inspiration for us all to patiently persevere in our understanding of this beautiful Deen. May Allaah unite all of us with our beloved teacher under the shade of His Throne, wa alhamdulillaahi Rabbil`Alameen was-salaatu was-salaam `alaa Muhammad ~ ameen
Salaam alaikum rahmatullah wa barakatuh,
May Allah make Dr. Saleh’s grave a place of beauty and rest, and may Allah grant him Firdaus. Ameen.
This is such a great loss. When I heard this news, I couldn’t believe it. I cried. I used to attend his lectures online regularly a couple years ago and just recently visited the room again. This wonderful man donated his time to help us learn our deen and answered questions from non-Muslims to help them understand. He had tremendous patience and always treated people with respect and kindness. I cannot find the words to say how much he has impacted my life and I am grateful for the knowledge that I learned from him. Inshallah, we will continue to benefit from his wisdom by listening to his recorded lectures.
May Allah have mercy on his family and make it easy for them. May Allah keep us guided on the straight path. Ameen
Bismillâhir Rahmânir Rahîm
Al-Hamdulillahi Was-Salatu Was-Salamu ‘ Alâ Rasulullah, Wa Ba’d:
As-Salamu ‘ Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
May Allah Ta’ala perserve the scholars Amin. I was really hurt to hear of the passing of two scholars this week. It felt as if I lost my dearest family members and yes I did because they were and are closer to me than my non-Muslim family. I did not know of the first brother Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd rahimullah but after reading his biography on fatwa online, I felt the lost in my heart. With the passing of Dr. Saleh as Saleh it was more personal. I had a hard day at work and I was looking forward to having my grandchildren with me for the weekend. I went to my desk opened my email and saw the message tears poured from my eyes and one of my co-workers said something less than intelligent and I brushed her off. It was time for asr and I made my salaah. Then I reached in my purse for his book Al Qadaa wal Qadaar. I have read this book over and over and each time I get reinforced, reaffirmed, reconnected to Allah Subhanah wa Ta’ala’s greatest blessing and mercy on me and my family (those who have accepted Islam and those who have not may Allah Ta’ala guide them Amin). Dr Saleh rahimullah makes a statement that we are Muslim because Allah Ta’ala made us suitable for Islam. Me suitable for Islam Al Hamdulillah tears just pour from my eyes - never in my wildest dreams when I first took my shahadah did I even contemplate what that meant. I never felt worthy never felt deserving but Allah ta’ala knows what I know not and HE Azza wa jalla chose me for this perfect way of life. I am an amerikkkan who was destined for the hellfire auu’thu billahi minash shaitanir rajim may He who holds my very soul protect me from every going back to jahilliyyah Amin. It was Allah ir Rahman ir Rahim who opened this lowly person’s heart and place the light of Islam in me. Al hamdulillah Rabbil Alamin. It has been the scholars like Br. Saleh who helped to guide me and make my heart steadfast on this way of life. SubhanAllah
I may never be a scholar of Islam or even a student of knowledge, but their passing made me feel that I would have to study harder, read more and pray that Allah Ta’ala blesses me with knowledge so I too can be a perserver of His din insha Allah Ta’ala. May Allah Suhanahwa Ta’ala bless the Ummah of Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam with unity on the haqq Amin.
O Controller of the hearts make my heart steadfast in Your religion AMIN
May Allah Ta’ala bless Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd and Dr. Saleh as Saleh and have mercy on them and forgive them of their sins. May HE illuminate their graves, make them spacious protect them from the torture of the grave and the punishment of the hellfire and grant the Jannah Firdaus AMIN and may HE Ta’ala give their loved ones peace in their time of grief AMIN
Ukhti Fillah
Umm Makkah Sakinah bint Philip Hyman min amiriki
Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alaihi Was Sallam) said,
“Verily! Allah will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their own condition”
——————————————————————————–
May Allah forgive his sins and accept his good deeds, Ameen!
I spotted the following post on a forum by Br. Abou Hassan Sulayman Johnson al-Amreekee that I wanted to share with you all:
In the name of Allaah Most Gracious Most Merciful.
It still pains me a bit to write this about Shaikh Salih rahimullah but I’ll try my best to give those a picture of the Shaikh from what I experienced with him. I moved to Buraidah, Al-Qaseem,KSA from America last year around this same time. I remembered in the back of the Shaikh’s book ‘Fate in Islam’ the address of buraidah,ksa so I decided to email before I came to town. And he welcomed me, gave his number and advised me with good and being careful to sit with those upon the correct path and contact him first, alhamdulilah. I was very excited to connect with him.
I arrived and after about a week or two the shaikh came to visit me. The shaikh lived in unayzah and I live in town over from him about a thirty minute drive. I first saw him pull up at the light in a gray mercedes station wagon as I flagged him down, I wasn’t sure but I thought that was him and it was. MashaAllah the shaikh had a robust stature with broad shoulders. He stood pretty tall and his handshake was firm, he had big hands and a full salt n pepper beard . The shaikh wore silver rimmed glasses and always wore a white ghutra which receded back a bit off his kufi. He was mild manner and welcoming. He never got tired of me calling him with questions. This day I met him he was especially excited as we drove to makataba ArRushd (famous
bookstore here in KSA) because his family had just completed and published a book on the bigraphy of the prophet sallallhu alayhi was salam. He then drove me to meet someone I could benefit from in my studies. We arrived to meet the shaikh at the masjid and I’m looking and waiting, then he introduces me to the shaykh dr khaild mashayghah hafidthullah and I was invited to sit with him (sh khalid)daily after salatu thur. I was surprised because shaikh mashayghah is clearly a bit younger than Sh. salih but Shaykh salih even with his knowledge still realized he could learn more even from those less your senior. He told me he had completed many books with shaykh mashayghah, who like shaikh salih is of those students of shaikh muhammad al-uthaymeen. I thank shaykh salih for that for guided me to that which benifits by the leave of Allah ta ala.
I later met with shaykh several times at his home. I met his well mannered boys and saw how he prayed in the masjid and I always had a dilema with where I should put my hands after rukoo and I saw that he put his right over left upon his upper chest and I take his example as he was really a talibul ilm that I trust knew the correct position. The only things I truly regret is not going to him more to benefit from his insight and not making hajj this year. You see shaikh salih called me a asked me if I would like to perform hajj on someones behalf, which in the end I didn’t do because of the 1 hajj every 5 years law which I decided to reserve for next hajj season to take my wife, well later I found out that I could do it this year and then next year with my family. So I really feel bad about this, Allahu musta’an.
The shaikh was very active in dawah, the kind of activity we all need to be upon. The shaikh was a professor of chemistry and microbiology here at qaseem university but you would have thought he was professor of islamic sciences because his being so active in dawah to Allah ta a’la. Not many people reach that apex of dawah where their whole life revolves around the spread of Islamic knowledge. I say from what I saw of the shaikh is that he reached it, wal hamdulilah walAllahu ta ala alim. The shaykh rahimullah may Allah give him jannah and the reward of the mujahid. I really miss the shaikh alot and feel this void like many of you benefitted from his paltalk duroos and books however I’m happy for him that Allah brought him close to the one he loved, our Prophet Muhammad sallahu alayhi was salam as the shaykh died in Al-madina and shaikh was not a resident of madina but of unayzah, al-qaseem which is a 4 hour drive away, which is good sign and testimonial. So the shaikh rahimullah was buried in al baqee’ the cemetary that is full of our salafus salih and the mothers of the believers. May Allah guide us to strive more for His sake in learning and calling to His deen. We ask Allah to make things easy for the shaikh’s family, students and loved ones.ameen.
Abou Hassan Sulayman Johnson al-Amreekee
4th of safar 1429 Al-Qaseem
Asalaamu Alaaikum
jazaakAllah Khair for putting up the post from the brother, Abou Hassan.
May Alah have mercy on the sheikh!! ameen
I regret not joining the paltalk sessions, while having the intention to a few times, i never got around to doing it….
I feel incredibly sad that a person of such great knowledge has left this world, but I pray that Allah gives us more scholars and people of taqwa, ameen
and May Allah grant him jannatul firdaus, ameen!!
Wa’alaykum Asalamm
-Anisa
[...] Sumber Abou Uthman’s Blog [...]
The American brother who Salah mentioned in his comment (see above) has just sent the following comment to me via Br. Saleh, so I am posting it here on his behalf:
Well i just wanted to say, about Dr. Saleh, that he was a very nice, kind hearted man who helped me out in my beginning into Islam. I only got to meet and talk to him for a few days, but even in this short amount of time, he really helped me in bettering my understanding Islam and helped a lot in finding solutions for every day problems and problems I might face concering Islam. I will never forget him nor everything he taught me. He was a great inspiration to me, and one of the best people I have ever met in my life, may Allah have mercy upon him. Salamo alykum … akh Tony from America.
As Sallaamu Alaikum
To Allah we belong and to Allah is our return. May Allah have mercy upon Dr. Saleh as Saleh and grant him the highest level in Jannah. ameen.
As a muslim sister, I feel a great loss at hearing of the passing of Dr. Saleh. He always encouraged the sisters to continue in giving dawah. He advised us on how to correctly continue in our efforts to spread the truth of Islam here in America. When some condemned the sister’s efforts on Paltalk or in other public arenas, Dr. Saleh would refute them and defend the sister’s ability to speak out in a correct manner to give dawah.
He was a patient man with great manners. He was firm when necesary, but you always could see it was from his heart and his love of Islam and his brothers and sisters in Islam. He was not quick to give fatwas or answer every question. More than once I heard him tell a person that he would have to research a matter or he was not sure of the answer and fearful lest he speak without knowledge. This was one of his great signs of true guidance and wisdom in Islam. He was down to earth in his speech and character with the people. He spoke on their level and never showed any signs of pride or boasting. His voice was calm and he embued a level of peace amongst everyone who would sit to listen to him. He will sorely be missed and he left a great impression upon almost everyone who met him, even if it was a brief encounter. Amongst the dayee of the west, he was so important because of his ability to speak fluent english and his personal experience and undertanding of the environment we live in.
May Allah grant peace and ease to his family who must miss him very much at this time. Insha Allah, there will be no shortage of help and assistance for his family members left behind from the ummah, and Allah is the source of all strength and sustenance.
wasallaamu alaikum
As-salaamu Alaikum,
I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Saleh-Saleh, I didnt really know him but Allah made it possible for me to meet him one time here in Egypt.
When he came here to visit, Brother Aboo Uthmaan made contact and with the permission of Allah I had the chance to meet him and we spent jummah in Masjid ibn Al-aas.
It was a really nice change from studies and I feel blessed that I had this opportunity - Alahamdulilaah.
I can say that he was a really warm and freindly brother, kind-hearted and generous. I had the chance to ask him for some much needed advice and I wish I could have sat with him longer, I believe I could have learned a lot from him. I was planning to email him and see how he was doing but I never got the chance. All I can say is that, I pray Allah to grant him mercy and forgiveness and to grant him a high status in jannah InshaAllah, and I hope that his knowledge will benefit many brothers in the future.
My prayers are with his family and I ask Allah to make things easy for them and give them the strength and patience to get through Ameen.
-Dawood-
Subhanallaah! How Perfect Allaah is. I love the Shaikh-Dr Saleh As Saleh for the sake of Allaah. He had so much love and concern for the Muslims and how he used to stop his class to answer the questions of the non-Muslim and invited them to learn about Islaam and he had much patience in teaching and spreading the true message of Islam.
May Allaah grant him and Shaikh Bakr Aboo Zayd Jannah al-firdaus and grant their family patience and make them from the righteous. Ameen
May Allah subhana wa ta’ala grant this wonderful brother jannah firdous ameen and may his family seek comfort in the submission of Allah subhana wa ta’ala ameen.
Bismillah
As salaamu alaikum,
My name is Shaariqah. I am a 8 years of age. When Dr. Saleh, passed away I cried. I was really sad. May Allah grant him Paradise, ameen. And forgive him, Ameen.
Shaariqah Amatul Wadud
From Allah we come and to him we return, I have listened to many of his MP3s and have learned allot. It reminds me of the Hadith, after you die you will recieve blessings from the knowledge that you taught. May Allah give him Jannah Firdous… Ameen!
Great Blog Aboo Uthmaan, will read it daily when I get back to the states, inshaa Allah’tala.