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Shaykh 'Umar ibn Muhammad
ibn Muhammad Bakar Fallaatah
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He
was the faqeeh, the muhaddith, the
mufassir, the noble Shaykh 'Umar ibn
Muhammad ibn Muhammad Bakar al-Fallaanee,
popularly known as Fallaatah. And
al-Fallaanee refers to the tribe of
al-Fallaanah, which is well-known and
widespread in most of Western Africa. And
according to some historians, his lineage
goes right back to 'Uqbah ibn
Naafi' or Ibn 'Aamir or Ibn Yaasir,
however, it is most probably another
'Uqbah and not the great companion of
the Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa
sallam) who conquered Africa.
His birth
He was born in 1345 A.H. (1925
C.E) near Makkah, during his parents hijrah
from Africa which took them approximately a
year. Regarding this, the Shaykh mentions:
"Allaah willed for them to begin their
journey and they were two, and when they
completed their journey they/(we) were
three".
His education
In 1346 A.H. they moved to
al-Madeenah an-Nabawiyyah, where he grew up
and began his education with what were
known in those days as al-Kuttaab, by the
name of Muhammad Saalim, under whom he
memorised the first few chapters of the
Noble Qur.aan.
Later, he entered the Daar
al-'Uloom ash-Shar'iyyah in
Madeenah and studied there until he was
approximately 7 years old. There, he
graduated from his primary education and
completed the memorisation of the
Qur.aan.
His work
In 1365 A.H. (1945 C.E.) he taught
at the Daar al-Hadeeth.
In addition to this, he taught the
the Daar as-Sa'oodiyyah in 1373 A.H.
(1953 C.E.) as he was appointed an
assistant to the principal.
In 1375 A.H. (1955 C.E.) he taught
hadeeth and it's fundamentals in
al-Ma'had al-'Ilmee until 1378 A.H.
(1958 C.E.)
In 1377 A.H. (1957 C.E.) the Daar
al-Hadeeth was placed under his
principalship.
In 1385 A.H. (1965 C.E.) he was
appointed assistant secretary of the
Islaamic University of Madeenah.
In 1395 A.H. (1975 C.E.) he was
appointed general secretary of the Islaamic
University of Madeenah.
In 1396 A.H. (1976 C.E.) he was
appointed an assistant lecturer in the
Faculty of Hadeeth as well as maintaining
his position as general secretary of the
Islaamic University of Madeenah.
Later, he became the principal in
charge of the Centre for Da'wah Affairs
at the Islaamic University of
Madeenah.
In 1406 A.H. (1986 C.E.) he was
appointed principal in charge of the Centre
for the study of the Sunnah and the
Prophetic Seerah at the Islaamic University
of Madeenah, which was actually setup by
the Shaykh himself.
After he retired, he went back to
the Daar al-Hadeeth.
His efforts at Daar
al-Hadeeth
Daar al-Hadeeth was setup by one
of the scholars from India by the name of
Shaykh Ahmad ad-Dahlawee (rahima-hullaah)
who was a scholar from amongst the
Ahlul-Hadeeth, who opened up the Daar
al-Hadeeth in 1350 A.H. (1930 C.E.) by
permission of King 'Abdul-'Azeez
(rahima-hullaah).
A kind donor from India by the
name of Shaykh Muhammad Rafee'
(rahima-hullaah) donated a building for the
Daar al-Hadeeth which was near the
al-Masjid an-Nabawee. It was named Maktabah
Ahlul-Hadeeth and also Madrasah Daar
al-Hadeeth.
While the Shaykh was teaching at
the Daar al-Hadeeth in 1367 A.H. (1947
C.E.) he also attained a higher
certificate.
He was close to his Shaykh, the
great noble Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmaan
al-Ifreeqee, who took over principalship of
the Daar al-hadeeth after Shaykh Ahmad
ad-Dahlawee (rahima-hullaah) died in 1375
A.H. (1955 C.E.). And when Shaykh
'Abdur-Rahmaan al-Ifreeqee
(rahima-hullaah) died in 1377 A.H. ( 1957
C.E.) Shaykh 'Umar assumed
principalship of the Daar al-hadeeth
thereafter.
And when the project of the
extension of al-Masjid an-Nabawee began,
the Daar al-Hadeeth had to be knocked down
to make way for the necessary extension,
and appropriate compensation was paid to
those responsible at the Daar al-Hadeeth.
With this money, Shaykh 'Umar strived
hard to find an appropriate piece of land
to buy and build the new Daar al-Hadeeth
and the Maktabah. Finally he purchased a
piece of land and in 1413A.H. (1993 C.E.)
work began on building the new Daar
al-Hadeeth and was completed in 1417 A.H.
(1997 C.E.). The new Daar al-Hadeeth
incorporated a school, a library (Maktabah
Daar al-Hadeeth), a masjid, a department
for hadeeth, a large lecture theatre which
could hold a thousand students, housing
accomodation for students, a business
centre, housing accomodation for visitors
and a car park.
When the building was finally
finished, it was something of a sight, so
much so that it won a prize for its
design.
And the Shaykh was extremely
attached to the Daar al-Hadeeth and held it
very dear to him, and used to extend much
assistance to it.
His Shuyookh
The Shaykh said: "I met more
than seventy scholars at the masjid of the
Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu
'alayhe wa sallam) and they were in
truth inheritors of the
Prophet".
The Shaykh, the muhaddith Muhammad
Ibraaheem al-Khatanee, who was a student of
the muhaddith, Shaykh Muhammad
'Abdul-Baaqee al-Ayyoobee al-Madanee.
He studied under him at the Daar
al-'Uloom ash-Shar'iyyah.
Shaykh 'Ammaar al-Jazaa.iree,
under whom he also studied at the Daar
al-'Uloom ash-Shar'iyyah.
Shaykh Yoosuf ibn Sulaymaan
al-Filisteenee, under whom he also studied
at the Daar al-'Uloom
ash-Shar'iyyah.
Shaykh Saalih az-Zughaybee.
Shaykh Muhammad 'Alee
al-Harakaan, who was previously the
assistant secretary of the Muslim World
League. He studied the majority of ((Saheeh
al-Bukhaaree)) under him, along with
it's explanation, ((Fat.h al-Baaree)).
And this was while he was teaching in
al-Masjid an-Nabawee.
Shaykh As'ad Muhiy
ad-Deenal-Husaynee, under whom he read the
Noble Qur.aan, thereby further
strengthening his memorisation.
Shaykh Muhammad Jaatoo
al-Fallaanee, under whom he studied a
number of texts of the Maalikee madhhab,
and some their explanations. He also
studied ad-Dimishqee's explanation of
((Mukhtasir Khaleel)), along with some of
((Aqrab al-Masaalik)), and then completed
the rest under Shaykh 'Ammaar
al-Jazaa.iree.
The Shaykh, the muhaddith Muhammad
ibn Ahmad as-Soodaanee al-Madanee, under
whom he studied some books of poetry and
Arabic grammer and some aspects of Usool
al-Fiqh.
The Shaykh, the muhaddith Muhammad
al-Haafidth ibn Moosaa Humayd.
The Shaykh, the muhaddith
'Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Yoosuf al-Ifreeqee,
who had a tremendous effect on his
personality, such that there became a great
similarity between them, as Shaykh
'Abdul-Muhsin al-'Abbaad mentioned
in his lecture about Shaykh
'Umar.
He studied ((Buloogh al-Maraam))
under Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmaan along with
((Subul as-Salaam)) and some major books of
hadeeth such as ((al-Muwatta,)) of Imaam
Maalik, and also in tafseer and the science
of hadeeth, while also hearing him respond
to the questions of the people seeking
fataawa.
The Shaykh, the muhaddith Saalim
ibn Ahmad Baajnidaan al-Hadramee, the
renowned muhaddith from Indonesia
May Allaah have mercy upon all of
the deceased amongst them.
His teaching in al-Masjid
an-Nabawee
The Shaykh began teaching in
al-Masjid an-Nabawee in 1370 A.H. (1950
C.E.), when he had attained a permit to
teach from the Presidency of Judges of the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Shaykh thereby
taught for approximately 49 years in
al-Masjid an-Nabawee, and his teaching
place used to be very close to what is
popularly known as "Riyaadh
al-Jannah" (the Garden of Paradise)
which is the area stretching from the
Prophet's house (current resting place)
to his mimbar.
Many students of knowledge used to
attend his lessons, as well as the visiting
pilgrims. And many of his lessons were
recorded and are available free of
(recording/copying) costs from the
recording library in al-Masjid an-Nabawee.
As an example, his explanation of ((Saheeh
Muslim)) strecthes to 817 audio cassettes,
and that is a complete recording of the
Shaykh's explanation. And his
explanation of the ((Tafseer of Ibn
Katheer)) stretches to 720 audio cassettes,
but this is incomplete. And his explanation
of ((Sunan Abee Daawood)) stretches to 576
audio cassettes, and this is also
incomplete. In total, all his audio
cassettes amount to approximately
2,253.
His manners
The Shaykh was of excellent
manners, and was very concerned about the
benefititng and assisting the Muslims. He
was extremely humble and noble to his
guests as he would greet them with a
cheerful face, enticing the guests to feel
full of cheer as a result. He used to enjoy
assisting the people, whethe rold or young,
considering he was himself worthy of
receiving assistance because of his
position and knowledge and old age. So as a
result of his impeccable manners, he was
loved by those who knew him and those who
did not.
And Shaykh al-Albaanee praised him
much for his good neighbourly conduct and
his impeccable good manners when he was a
neighbour of Shaykh 'Umar during the
time he spent teaching at al-Jaami'ah
al-Islaamiyyah (Islaamic University) in
Madeenah.
[Note from Abu 'Abdullaah:
Having been taught Arabic grammer by Shaykh
'Umar's son 'Abdul-Haadee;
Shaykh 'Abdul-Haadee once mentioned to
us in class that the Shaykh did not permit
the television inside their home, saying
"Why should I invite Shaytaan into my
house and force the angels to
depart?"]
And the Shaykh was extremely wise
in his opinions and sharp-witted at the
many issues which people brought to his
attention, as those who spent time with him
in his tent during Hajj and the different
da'wah centres he would visit would
well know.
In conclusion to all this, Dr.
Marzooq az-Zahraanee, who was previously
the principal of the Centre for Prophetic
Studies mentioned: "The Shaykh was
complete in his manners, complete in his
uprightness, complete in his manhaj and
complete in his taqwa...".
And the Shaykh was blessed with
impeccable manners as has been mentioned,
even when he faced those who disliked him
for his manhaj or manner, and he was able
to affect them with his good manners in
such a way that they would correct their
ways and ahere to the true path and manhaj,
which is based upon the Noble Qur.aan and
the authentic Sunnah according to the
understanding of the pious predecessors.
And all this was whilst he was teaching in
al-Masjid an-Nabawee.
His 'aqeedah and
manhaj
The Shaykh adhered steadfastly to
the Noble Qur.aan and the authentic Sunnah
as understood by the pious predecessors and
he invited to this path with wisdom and
maturity. He also used to encourage others
to understand the evidences, and used to
detest the opposing manaahij.
His Hajj
journey
The Shaykh was blessed to have
performed Hajj a great number of times,
with his first ever Hajj being in 1365 A.H.
(1945 C.E.), and from that time until 1418
A.H. (1998 C.E.) he performed Hajj every
single year except once when he was ill. So
he performed Hajj a total fo 53 times, as
he also performed 'Umrah a great number
of times too. May Allaah (Subhaanahu wa
Ta'aala) accept from him,
aameen.
His travels
The Shaykh travelled to many
countries for da'wah purposes, either
with the Islaamic University or to setup
Summer camps. From amongst the countries he
visited were: Egypt, Syria, Jordan,
Lebanon, India, Pakistan, and many African
countires.
The Scholars praise of
him
Amongst the many shcolars who
praised him were:
Shaykh al-Albaanee, who praised
him much for his good neighbourly conduct
and his impeccable good manners and
knowledge, such that when in 1395 A.H.
(1975 C.E.) Shaykh al-Albaanee was asked as
to who should be referred to when seeking
fatwa, Shaykh al-Albaanee advised that
Shaykh 'Umar should be referred to for
all fatwa-seeking questions.
Also, Shaykh 'Abdul-Muhsin
al-'Abbaad described him as:
"...a great man, a rightly-guided
scholar, one who possessed noble manners
and praiseworthy characteristics. And that
he was upon the manhaj of the pious
predecessors adhering to what was
transmitted from Allaah and His Messenger
(sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa
sallam)."
And Shaykh 'Abdul-Muhsin
mentioned that since he first met Shaykh
'Umar way back in 1381 A.H. (1961 C.E.)
love had entered into his heart for Shaykh
'Umar.
His death
The Shaykh had great desire to die
in Madeenah, and Allaah permitted his wish
to be met as he died in Madeenah on
Wednesday 29 Muharram 1419 A.H. (17 March
1999 C.E.) after having received medical
treatment and returning from Riyadh just a
day before his death. The Shaykh was 74
years of age. His funeral prayer was
performed after Salaatul-'Asr and he
was then buried in the graveyard of
Baqee', near al-Masjid an-Nabawee. Many
attended his funeral from amongst the
scholars and the judges and lecturers and
teachers from the universities along with
many students, and pilgrims and those who
simply loved him.
May Allaah
(Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) have Mercy upon
his soul, aameen.
The Shaykh left behind him one
wife, seven sons: Dr. Muhammad (a member of
the teaching staff at the Islaamic
University of Madeenah), 'Abdur-Rahmaan
(a member of the teaching staff at the
Primary school within the Islaamic
University), 'Abdul-Haadee (a member of
the teaching staff at the Arabic Language
Institute within the Islaamic University),
'Abdul-Kareem, 'Abdur-Razzaaq and
Anas, and two daughters.
The Shaykh bequeathed his entire
library to Daar al-Hadeeth, and his bequest
was carried out after his death.
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