His Life
He is the Imaam, the ‘Allaamah, ‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin
Yahyaa bin ‘Alee bin Muhammad al-Mu’allimee al-‘Utmee
al-Yaamaanee.He has been given the ascription of Banee Mu’allim from
the city of ‘Utmah in Yemen.He was born in 1313H (1895CE) in ‘Utmah and was raised
there and he frequented the city of al-Hujuriyyah - which is behind Ta’z -
and he acquired knowledge there.He (then) travelled to Jeezaan in the year 1329H during the
imaarah (leadership) of Muhammad bin Alee al-Idreesee at ‘Aseer.
His Positions
He took over the leadership of the Qaadees (Judges) and he was
given the title of ‘Shaikh ul-Islaam’.After the death of al-Idreesee in the year 1341H, he travelled
to India and worked in Daa’irat ul-Ma’aarif al-‘Uthmaaniyyah
in Hyderaabaad ad-Dikn, correcting the books of hadeeth and history and
authenticating them. This was at roughly at the beginning of the year 1345H. He
remained here for about 25 years, working.He then came to al-Makkah al-Mukarramah in 1371H and was
designated - after only one year - with the position of trustee of the Library
of the Haram at Makkah.
His Compilations and Works
He has a variety of many books and (short) treatises which he
authored for the verification of some issues related to knowledge - whether
regarding hadeeth, sulook or aqeedah. - which remain in manuscript form. He also
has a compilation of poetry which is also in manuscript form.As for what has been printed from them, then there are many,
amongst them;
- ‘Anwaar ul-Kaashifah’ which is a refutation of the book
‘Adwaa’ alas-Sunnah’ by Mahmood Abu Rayyah and which is
not to be lamented over!
- ‘At-Tankeel bimaa fee Ta’neeb al-Kawtharee min
al-Abaateel’ and this is a very good book, (is of) benefit and is
unique. It has been printed with the checking of our Shaikh al-Albaanee -
may Allaah protect him.
- ‘Ilm ur-Rijaal wa Ahimmiyyatihi’ which is this
treatise.
- ‘Maqaamu Ibraaheem’ and this is a very precious book.
He has also checked many of the most important books on
‘Ilm ur-Rijaal’ (the science of the knowledge of the narrators of
hadeeth) and history (and) which were printed by Daa’irah
al-Ma’aarif al-‘Uthmaaniyyah during his time; such as the book
‘al-Ikmaal’ by Ibn Maakoolaa (4 volumes from it), the book
‘al-Ansaab’ of as-Sam’aanee (4 volumes from it), the book
‘Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh’ of adh-Dhahabee and ‘al-Jarh
wat-Ta’deel’ of Ibn Abee Haatim and ‘at-Taareekh
al-Kabeer’ of al-Bukhaaree, and others besides them which are
numerous.His Death
He continued to look after the Library of the Haram at Makkah,
persisting in (his) study, and being actively engaged in research, verification
and knowledge-related investigation, until he was was seen there wholeheartedly
devoted to some books and he had departed from (this) life. This was in the year
1386H (1966CE).May have Allaah shower (His) vast mercy upon him.
Sources for His Biography
- ‘Al-I’laam’ (3/342) of az-Ziriklee.
- ‘Al-Mustadrak ‘alaa Mu’jam il-Mu’allifeen’
(p.366) of ‘Umar Ridaa Kahhaalah.
- ‘Majallatul-Mujma’ al-‘Ilmee al-‘Arabee’
(42/574-580), the article of Shaikh
- Muhammad Bahjah al-Baytaar - may Allaah have mercy upon him.
- ‘Majallatul-Hajj’ (10/617-618), the article of Abdullaah ibn
Abdur-Rahmaan al-Mu’allimee.
- The introduction to ‘at-Tankeel’ (1/9-14) by Shaikh Muhammad
Naseef - may Allaah have mercy upon him.
Brief Biography of Muhaddith Abdur-Rahman al-Mu'allimee al-Yamani