Shaikh Dr Wasiullah Abbas is a renowned Islamic scholar from India. A graduate from the Islamic University of Madinah and Umm Al Qura University in Makkah, he is a teacher of Tafsir, Principles of Tafsir, Hadith and Principles of Hadith in Umm Al Qura University, a position he has held since 1979.
He also delivers lectures on Sahih al-Bukhari and Sunan Abu Dawood in Arabic and general Islamic lectures in Masjid al-Haram in Makkah where Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) used to deliver his talks.
Early Life and Education
Dr Wasiullah Abbas was born in 1948 in Basti district, in a small town of Bherabhoj, renowned for producing many Islamic scholars of repute. His father’s name was Muhammad Abbas Khan, his grandfather’s name was Ahmad Khan, and his great grandfather’s name was Khushhaal Khan. Dr Wasiullah’s grandfather Ahmad Khan was the chief of his town.
Dr Wasiullah received primary education from Shaikh Muhammad Saleem, a well-known Islamic teacher who was a student of Madrasah Rahmaniyyah. He later moved to the town of Yusufpur and enrolled in Madarsa Darul Huda and did his further studies in Jamia Rahmaniyyah in Banaras.
In 1966, the Jamia Salafia, one of the largest Islamic universities was established in the city Banaras. One of the scholars, who attended the inauguration of the university was Shaikh Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz. On Shaikh ibn Baz’s direction, four students were selected from both Jamia Salafia and Jamia Rahmaniyyah to study at the Islamic University of Madinah. These four students were Dr Wasiullah Abbas, Shaikh Abdul Hameed Rahmani, Shaikh Abdus-Salam Madani and Shaikh Abdur-Rahman al-Bastawi.
Islamic University of Madinah and Umm Al Qura University
At the Islamic University of Madinah, Dr Wasiullah Abbas obtained a bachelors degree in Dawah and Ilm Usool Ad-Deen (Principles of the Religion), from the department of Tafsir and Hadith.
After successfully completing the bachelors (undergraduate) program at the Islamic University of Madinah, Dr Wasiullah Abbas travelled to Makkah for higher (post-graduate) studies.
Here, he completed his Masters and PhD (doctorate) programs in Makkah, with a specialization in Hadith. He completed his PhD (doctorate) program in the year 1981, which was the year in which Umm Al Qura University was established in Makkah. Prior to this, the structured study in Makkah – “adDirasaat al-Ulyaa” (the higher studies programs), the Faculty of Shari’ah, and the Faculty of Tarbiyyah – were under the administration of King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah.
Teaching
During his time as a PhD student, he was appointed as a teacher at the Mahad at Masjid al-Haram. He continued teaching with this position for many years, after completing his PhD. Later, he was selected as a professor in Umm Al Qura University in Makkah, where he continues to hold a teaching position in the department of “al-Kitaab (the Qur’an) and the Sunnah” in the Faculty of Da’wah and Usool-ud-Deen, lecturing on numerous subjects related to the science of Hadith.
The Shaikh also holds a teaching chair in Masjid al-Haram, with authorization attained from the “General Director of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. His chair is located in the “Mataf” (the area of Tawaaf around the Kabah), between the doors of Bab al-Malik Fahad (King Fahad Gate) and Bab al-Umrah, where he continues to teach five days a week between the Maghrib and Isha prayers.
Books
Among the books Dr Wasiullah Abbas authored are as follows: “ad-Du’afaa’ wal-Matrookoon wal-Majhooloon fee Sunan an-Nasa’i” (The Weak, Abandoned, and Unknown [Narrators of the Ahadith] in Sunan an-Nasa’i). This was Shaikh’s Masters thesis.
Tahqeeq (Verification) of the book “Fadaa’il as-Sahaabah” (Virtues of the Companions [of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)] of al-Imaam Aboo Abdullaah Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal ash-Shaybaanee (RH) [d.241H]. This was Shaikh’s PhD (doctorate) thesis.
Tahqeeq of the book “al-‘Ilal wa Ma’rifatur-Rijaal” ([The Science of] Defects [in the Asaaneed of the Ahaadeeth] and [the Science] of Narrators [of the Ahaadeeth]) as narrated by al-Imaam Aboo Abdur-Rahmaan Abdullaah ibn al-Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RH).
Tahqeeq of the book “Bahrid-Dam feeman Takallama feehi al-Imaam Ahmad bi-Madh aw Dham” (The one [i.e. Narrators of Ahaadeeth] al-Imaam Ahmad [ibn Hanbal (RH)] Spoke about with Commendation or Disparagement) of al-Imaam Jamaalud-Deen Yoosuf ibn Hasan ibn Ahmad ibn Hasan ibn Abdul-Haadee as-Saalihee, well-known as Ibnul-Mibrad al-Hanbalee (RH).
Tahqeeq of the book “al-‘Ilal wa Ma’rifatur-Rijaal” ([The Science of] Defects [in the Asaaneed of the Ahaadeeth] and [the Science] of Narrators [of the Ahaadeeth]) as narrated by al-Imaam Aboo al-Fadal Saalih ibn al-Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RH).
Tahqeeq of the twelfth volume of the book “Ittihaaf al-Mahrah bil-Fawaa’id al-Mubtakarah min Atraaf al-Ashrah” of al-Imaam al-Haafidh Shihaab-ud-Deen Aboo al-Fadal Ahmad ibn Alee ibn Hajar al-Kunaanee al-Asqalaaanee (RH) [d. 852H], upon request from “Markaz Khidmatis-Sunnah was-Seerah an-Nabawiyyah”31 of Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Tahqeeq of the fifth volume of the book “Lisaan al-Meezaan”32 of al-Imaam al-Haafidh Shihaab-ud-Deen Aboo al-Fadal Ahmad ibn Alee ibn Hajar al-Kunaanee al-Asqalaaanee (RH) [d. 852H], upon request from “Markaz Khidmatis-Sunnah was-Seerah anNabawiyyah” of Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
“al-Masjid al-Haraam: Taareekhuhu wa Ahkaamuh” (The Grand Mosque in Makkah: Its History and Its Rulings).
“Ilal al-Hadeeth wa Dawruhu fee Hifdhis-Sunnah” ([The Science of] Defects [in the Asaaneed of the Ahaadeeth] and its Role in Protecting the Sunnah).
“Tahqeeq al-Kalaam fee Wujoobil-Qiraa’ah Khalf al-Imaam” (Verification of the Speech Regarding the Obligation of Reciting [Sooratul-Faatihah] Behind the Imaam [in the Salah]) of ash-Shaykh al-Allaamah al-Muhaddith Abdur-Rahmaan al-Mubaarakpooree (RH) [d.1353H]. This book has been translated from Urdu into Arabic by the Shaykh and he has added his annotations upon it.
“Khuluq al-Muslim fee Daw’il-Kitaab was-Sunnah” (Manners of the Muslim in Light of the Qur’an and the Sunnah).
“al-Musaafahah bil-Yadil-Yumnaa” (Greeting with the Right Hand [Upon Saying Salaam]) of ash-Shaykh al-Allaamah al-Muhaddith Abdur-Rahmaan al-Mubarakpuri (RH) [d.1353H]. This book has been translated from Urdu into Arabic by the Shaikh and he has added his annotations upon it.
“Fiqh Ahlil-Hadeeth: Khasaa’isuhu wa Mumayyizaatuhu” (Jurisprudence of the People of the Hadith: Its Unique and Exclusive Aspects).
“at-Ta’reef bi-Kutub Taraajimir-Ruwaat” (The Introduction to the Books [which Contain] Biographies of the Narrators [of Ahadith]).
Family
Dr Wasiullah Abbas is married and has five sons and five daughters.
References
Biography of Allamah Dr Wasiullah Abbas by Umm-Ul-Qura Publications.
Dr Wasiullah Abbas On Social Media
Related
Shaik Zakeer Hussain is the Founder and Editor of The Cognate.
