A Biography of the ‘Allaamah, Falaah bin ismaa’eel al-Mundakaar,

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A Biography of the ‘Allaamah, Falaah bin ismaa’eel al-Mundakaar,

may Allah preserve him



Translated by Abu Rayhaanah Aqil bin Kenneth Ingram

Source: www.mandakar.com



His Name and Agnomen:

Abu Muhammad Falaah bin Ismaa’eel bin Ahmad Mundakaar

His Birth:

His honor was born in the year 1950.

His Quest for Knowledge:

The Shaikh began seeking legislative knowledge after having worked as an instructor of the English language. He was twenty six years of age at that time. He then traveled to the people of knowledge so that he could learn from them. So he resumed his university level studies at the Islamic University of Madinah an-Nabawiyyah, and this was in the year 1976.

Throughout his university studies as well as his graduate studies, in the Master’s and Doctorate programs, he strongly adhered to the scholars studying ‘Aqeedah with them, Hadeeth, Hadeeth Terminology, Fiqh, the Fundamentals and Principles of Fiqh, Arabic Grammar, Morphology, Eloquence in Speech, and Tajweed.

His Qualifications in Knowledge:

The Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, has acquired a number of degrees, and they are:

1 – Bachelor’s Degree, and the Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, achieved a grade of excellent.

2 – Master’s Degree, and the Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, achieved a grade of excellent. His dissertation was a verification of three branches from Shu’abul Eemaan (The Branches of Imaan) by al-Haafith al-Bayhaqee, may Allah bestow mercy upon him.

3 – Doctorate Degree, and the Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, achieved a grade of excellent with honors. His dissertation was entitled al-‘Alaaqah baynat Tasawwuf wat Tashayyu’ (The Relationship between Sufism and Shi’ism).

His Teachers:

The Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, studied with a great number of the scholars. From them:

· His Eminence, the Shaikh, the ‘Allaamah, ‘Abdul ‘Azeez bin ‘Abdullah bin Baaz, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He attended many of his knowledge based gatherings, and he read to him al-Usool ath-Thalaathah as well as Kitaab at-Tawheed.

· The esteemed Shaikh, the Muhaddith, Muhammad Naasir ad-Deen al-Albaanee, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He attended many of his knowledge based gatherings. Shaikh al-Albaanee resided with Shaikh Falaah twice, once in Madinah and once in Kuwait.

· The esteemed Shaikh, the Faqeeh, the Usoolee, the Mufassir, Muhammad bin Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He attended many of his knowledge based gatherings. He studied some subjects in Fiqh with him.

· The esteemed Shaikh, Doctor Saalih bin Fawzaan al-Fawzaan, may Allah preserve him. He attended many of his knowledge based gatherings.

· The esteemed Shaikh, the Muhaddith, ‘Abdul Qaadir bin Habeebullaah as-Sindee, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He is from the senior scholars of Madinah an-Nabawiyyah. He read Nukhbatul Fikr to him of al-Haafith ibn Hajr al-‘Asqalaanee, may Allah bestow mercy upon him.

· The esteemed Shaikh, the Muhaddith of Hijaaz, Doctor Hammaad bin Muhammad al-Ansaaree, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He, may Allah preserve him, attained a great deal knowledge from him since he strongly adhered to him until he obtained an abundance of benefit. He read Saheeh al-Bukhaaree to him, and he granted him an Ijaazah for it. He also awarded him an Isnaad (chain of transmission) that reaches al-Bukhaaree, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. Furthermore, he read al-Ibaanah of Ibn Battah to him, an-Nabuwwaat of Shaikhul Islaam ibn Taymiyyah, Kitaab at-Tawheed of Ibn Khuzaimah, Kitaab at-Tawheed of Muhammad bin ‘Abdul Wahaab, Buloogh al-Maraam of al-Haafith ibn Hajr al-‘Asqalaanee. He also read the Tafseer of the Qur’aan to him. All of this is in addition to his regular studies with him in the graduate studies program at the University of Madinah.

· The esteemed Shaikh, Doctor Muhammad Amaan bin ‘Alee al-Jaamee, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He attained an abundance of knowledge from him and benefitted tremendously from him. He read al-Qawaa’id al-Muthlaa to him by the ‘Allaamah al-‘Uthaymeen, may Allah bestow mercy upon him, Kitaab al-Tawheed of Shaikhul Islaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdul Wahhaab, al-‘Aqeedah al-Wasatiyyah of Shaikhul Islaam ibn Taymiyyah, Sharhul ‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah of Ibn Abil ‘Izz al-Hanafee, may Allah bestow mercy upon all of them. He also studied Jawharah at-Tawheed with him concerning the creed of the Ashaa’irah. Then Shaikh Muhammad gifted Shaikh Falaah his personal copy of the book that has his personal notes within it written with his own handwriting. It is a limited edition print that was printed in the year 1306 after the Hijrah. Shaikh Falaah continues to safeguard this book and is very proud of this honor. And from another perspective, Shaikh Falaah studied with Shaikh Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee in his regular university studies during his graduate studies. Moreover, he was the director over his dissertation for his Master’s Degree. Shaikh Muhammad Amaan himself, may Allah bestow mercy upon him, lead the debate (for this Master’s level dissertation). He then continued to be his director over his doctoral level studies for two years until he (i.e. Shaikh Muhammad Amaan) retired from the university, may Allah bestow mercy upon him.

· The esteemed Shaikh, Doctor ‘Abdul Kareem Muraad al-Atharee, may Allah preserve him. He studied al-Fatwaa al-Hamawiyyah with him, the treatise of at-Tadmuriyyah, and the explanation of al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah of Ibn Abil ‘Izz al-Hanafee, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He also studied Logic (al-Mantiq) with him. He used to dictate it to the students, and thereafter he printed it under the title heading, “Tasheel al-Mantiq”, after a request and strong insistence from Shaikh Falaah, may Allah preserve him. Shaikh ‘Abdul Kareem Muraad, may Allah preserve him, was also one of the professors who debated the Shaikh on his dissertation for his Master’s Degree. He also studied the subject of ‘Aqeedah (Creed) with him in the Faculty of Sharee’ah during his regular university studies.

· The esteemed Shaikh, the Muhaddith, the Doctor, ‘Abdul Muhsin bin Hamad al-‘Abbaad, may Allah preserve him, and he was the dean of the Islamic University at that time. He read the book, ash-Sharee’ah of al-Aajuree, to him as well as Shifaa’ul ‘Aleel of Ibn al-Qayyim. Shaikh ‘Abdul Muhsin al-‘Abbaad, may Allah preserve him, was also amongst the professors who debated the Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, on his dissertation for his Master’s Degree. He also studied with him in some courses during his graduate level studies.

· The esteemed Shaikh, the Muhaddith, the Professor, Doctor Rabee’ bin Haadee al-Madkhalee, may Allah preserve him, and he has achieved the highest academic university level in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ustaadh Kursee (Head Professor). He (i.e Shaikh Falaah) read some of Saheeh Muslim to him, Tadreeb ar-Raawee of al-Haafith an-Nawawee, may Allah bestow mercy upon him, and al-‘Uboodiyyah of Shaikhul Islaam ibn Taymiyyah. He strongly adhered to sitting with him for a long period of time.

· The esteemed Shaikh, Doctor ‘Alee bin Naasir al-Faqeehee, may Allah preserve him. He read Kitaab at-Tawheed to him as well as Kitaab al-Eemaan. Both of them are the works of Ibn Mandah, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He also studied with him academically. He covered an abundance of knowledge with him in the field of religions and denominations during his graduate level studies.

· The esteemed Shaikh, al-Fardee, ‘Abdus Samad bin Muhammad al-Kaatib, may Allah preserve him. He read Kitaab at-Tawheed to him from Saheeh al-Bukhaaree. He also read the science of Inheritance to him through dictation, and then he printed it after strongly being urged by Shaikh Falaah, may Allah preserve him.

· The esteemed Shaikh, ‘Ubaid bin ‘Abdillah al-Jaabiree, may Allah preserve him, and he is from amongst the senior scholars of Madinah an-Nabawiyyah. He read Kitaab at-Tawheed to him of Muhammad bin ‘Abdul Wahaab, may Allah bestow mercy upon him, al-Qawaa’id al-Muthlaa, and al-Qawaa’id al-Fiqhiyyah.

· The esteemed Shaikh, Doctor ‘Abdullah bin Muhammad al-Ghunaymaan, may Allah preserve him. He read Fathul Majeed to him as well as Kitaabul Eemaan of Shaikhul Islaam ibn Taymiyyah. Furthermore, Shaikh ‘Abdullah al-Ghunaymaan, may Allah preserve him, assumed the responsibility of supervising his dissertation for his Doctorate’s Degree after the noble Shaikh Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee retired, may Allah bestow mercy upon him.

· The esteemed Shaikh, the Mufassir, Muhammad bin Mukhtaar ash-Shinqeetee, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He studied Tafseer with him in the Islamic University as well as in the Noble and Holy Mosque of Madinah. He also read the Sunan of an-Nisaa’ee to him.

· The esteemed Shaikh, Doctor ‘Alee bin ‘Abdur Rahmaan al-Huthayfee, may Allah preserve him. He read Kitaab at-Tawheed from Saheeh al-Bukhaaree to him.

· The esteemed Shaikh, the Mufassir, the Usoolee, the Grammarian, Ahmad bin Taaweet at-Tanjee, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He is from the scholars of Morocco, and he, may Allah bestow mercy upon him, was the Judge of Judges of Tanjah during the time period that France had colonized Morocco. The Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, studied the science of Tafseer with him during his studies in the Faculty of Sharee’ah at the Islamic University. In the science of Usool al-Fiqh, he read Rawdah an-Naathir of Ibn Qudaamah to him in the Holy Mosque of Madinah. In the science of Arabic Language, he read to him the explanation of Alfiyyah ibn Maalik by Ibn ‘Aqeel.

· The esteemed Shaikh, ‘Alee bin Sinaan, may Allah bestow mercy upon him, and he is from the scholars of Madinah an-Nabawiyyah. He read Qatrun Nadaa to him.

· The esteemed Shaikh, the Linguist, Ahmad bin Ma’loom ash-Shinqeetee, may Allah bestow mercy upon him, and he is one of the scholars of the Arabic Language in Madinah an-Nabawiyyah. He has an explanation of Alfiyyah ibn Maalik that he wrote in poetic format in three thousand verses. He read al-Muqaddimah al-Aajuroomiyyah to him and also the explanation of Alfiyyah ibn Maalik by Ibn ‘Aqeel, may Allah bestow mercy upon him.

· The esteemed Shaikh, the Usoolee, Doctor Zayn al-‘Aabideen, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He read Rawdah an-Naathir to him of Ibn Qudaamah while he was studying in the Islamic University in the Faculty of Sharee’ah.

· The esteemed Shaikh, the Faqeeh, ‘Abdullah bin Hamad al-Hammaad, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He read Subulus Salaam to him during his regular studies in the Faculty of Sharee’ah.

· The esteemed Shaikh, the Faqeeh, Muhammad bin Humood al-Waa’ilee, may Allah preserve him. He read Bidaayatul Mujtahid to him of Ibn Rushd during his regular studies in the Faculty of Sharee’ah.

· The esteemed Shaikh, ‘Abdur Ra’oof al-Labdee, may Allah bestow mercy upon him, and he is from amongst the scholars of the Arabic Language of Madinah an-Nabawiyyah. He read to him the explanation of Alfiyyah ibn Maalik of Ibn ‘Aqeel during his regular studies in the Faculty of Sharee’ah.

· The esteemed Shaikh, ‘Umar bin Muhammad Falaatah, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He read Sunan Abee Daawood to him in the Holy Mosque of Madinah.

· The esteemed Shaikh, the Mufassir, Abu Bakr bin Jaabir al-Jazaa’iree, may Allah preserve him. He learned Tafseer from him in the Islamic University in the Faculty of Sharee’ah. He would also attend his lessons in the Holy Mosque of Madinah.

· The esteemed Shaikh, Ahmad al-Azraq, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He read Subulus Salaam to him, the explanation of Bulooghul Maraam, in the Faculty of Sharee’ah. He supervised his graduation term paper in his fourth year of the Faculty of Sharee’ah, and his research topic was a verification and study of the book, “Musnad al-Imaam ‘Abdullah bin al-Mubaarak”, may Allah bestow mercy upon him.

· The esteemed Shaikh, ‘Alee bin Mushrif al-‘Amree, may Allah preserve him. Imaam al-Albaanee, may Allah bestow mercy upon him, gave him the nickname, “Little al-Albaanee”. Our Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, read the Sunan of at-Tirmidhee to him.

· The esteemed Shaikh, the Muqri’, Muhammad bin Ramadaan al-Muqree, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. He learned the science of Tajweed from him.



And those that we have mentioned from the teachers of Shaikh Falaah are only some of the teachers that the Shaikh has taken knowledge from.

His Character and Manners:

The Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, is distinguished by his fine character, good manners in dealing with the people, zeal in benefitting himself and others, his humility with his students and his brothers, generosity in fulfilling their needs, his earnest concern for and honor of the Book, the Sunnah, and the ‘Aqeedah (Creed) of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah. He has been favored amongst the scholars and students of knowledge with high station, prestige, and reverence. From amongst the most distinguishing signs of his character is his smile that never leaves his face while speaking to the people and answering their questions.

Those who are far and near, and all praise belongs to Allah, bear witness to the Shaikh having a lofty level in knowledge, good character, and superb manners. Due to this, he is considered the Father of every Salafee in Kuwait.

His Efforts in Knowledge and Invitation:

The Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, has many knowledge based and invitational efforts. He often participates in academic seminars and is active in Da’wah (invitational) efforts that are based in Kuwait through which many of the students of knowledge benefit from.

The Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, is distinguished by being active in knowledge. He teaches a variety of the books of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah. From amongst the books and Mutoon that the esteemed Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, has taught and some of which he still teaches:

· Al-Usool ath-Thalaathah

· Kashfush Shubuhaat

· Al-Usool as-Sittah

· Fathul Majeed

· Sharhul ‘Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah of Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan, may Allah preserve him.

· Al-Fatwaa al-Hamawiyyah

· Sharhul ‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah of Ibn Abil ‘Izz

· Sharhus Sunnah of al-Barbahaaree

· Ash-Sharee’ah of al-Aajuree

· Al-‘Uddah Sharhul ‘Umdah

· Al-Arba’oon an-Nawawiyyah

· Kitaab at-Tawheed of Saheeh al-Bukhaaree

· The book al-Irshaad ilaa Saheeh al-I’tiqaad by the ‘Allaamah, Saalih al-Fawzaan, may Allah preserve him, since he has introduced it into the official curriculum of all the male and female students during their studies in the Faculty of Sharee’ah.

· Al-Qawaa’id al-Muthlaa feel Asmaa was Sifaat of the ‘Allaamah, Muhammad bin Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen, may Allah bestow mercy upon him. The Shaikh also teaches it to his students in the Faculty of Sharee’ah.

· Likewise, the book Minhaaj al-Muslim of Shaikh Abu Bakr al-Jazaa’iree, may Allah preserve him, since he has also introduced it into the official curriculum of all the male and female students during their studies in the Faculty of Sharee’ah.



The Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, continues to teach the students in and outside of Kuwait just as he also continues to teach the Islamic ‘Aqeedah (Creed) in the University of Kuwait. The Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, is also involved in setting the methodology of ‘Aqeedah (Creed) for the curriculum of Islamic Cultivation on behalf of the Ministry of Cultivation of Kuwait.

His Methodology of Teaching:

The Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, is distinguished with a unique style of teaching. From amongst the most significant of those distinguishing characteristics of the Shaikh in teaching:

· Verifying the knowledge based issues in affairs of ‘Aqeedah (Creed) by mentioning the statements of the Salaf on the topic as well as the statements of the Muhaqqiqeen (Scholars of Verification).

· Setting knowledge based principles concerning the affairs of ‘Aqeedah (Creed) by citing universal principles from the methodology of the Salaf, may Allah bestow mercy upon them.

· Mentioning the statements of the sects that are opposed to Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah in affairs of creed along with the refutations against them from the Book, the Sunnah, the language of the ‘Arab, and the statements of the Salaf.

· The Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, often quotes his teachers that he studied with. In issues that he is explaining, he will mention their statements and the views that they chose as being most correct.

· Correcting the text of the book being explained.

· Mentioning the statements of the Fuqahaa’ (i.e. the Scholars of Fiqh), the Muhadditheen (i.e. the Scholars of Hadeeth), and the Muhaqqiqeen (i.e. the Scholars of Verification) from amongst the people of knowledge as well as their schools of thought when explaining issues of Fiqh. He will mention the evidences from their Madhhab from the Book and the Sunnah as well as the remainder of the evidences of the religious verdicts. He will then compare that with the other schools of thought in a like fashion and finally mention the most correct view from amongst the statements of the Fuqahaa’ (i.e. the Scholars of Fiqh).

As for His Authored Works, then they are:

1 – al-‘Alaaqah baynat Tasawwuf wat Tashayyu’ (The Relationship between Sufism and Shi’ism). (Doctoral Dissertation)

2 – A Verification of Three Branches of Shu’abul Eemaan (The Branches of Eemaan). (Master’s Dissertation)

3 – Nuz’atut Takfeer Khutooratuhaa wa ‘Ilaajuhaa (The Inclination Towards Tafkeer, its Dangers and Solutions)

4 – ar-Ruqaa ash-Shar’iyyah baynat Tanzeel wat Tatbeeq (The Legislative Ruqyaa between Revelation and Application)

5 – al-I’tiqaad al-Waajib Nahwas Sahaabah (The Obligatory Creed Concerning the Companions)

6 – al-I’tiqaad al-Waajib Nahwal Qadar (The Obligatory Creed Concerning the Divine Decree)

7 – al-Ashaa’irah Laysoo min Ahlis Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah (The Ashaa’irah are not from Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah). It is comprised of four articles that were published in the newspaper Jadeeratul Watn al-Kuwaitiyyah.

8 – al-‘Aqeedah Awwalan (The Creed is First). An article published in the Sharee’ah Magazine.

9 – al-Akhlaaq al-Islaamiyyah (Islamic Character). (A university memorandum)

10 – al-Milal wan Nihal (Religions and Denominations). (A university memorandum)

11 – al-‘Aqeedah (2) (Creed). (A university memorandum)

We ask Allah to preserve our Shaikh, to bring about benefit through his knowledge, to bless his efforts, and grant him the greatest reward of Islaam and the Muslims.