A Brief Biography of Ash-Shaikh Al-Allaamah `Abdullah Ibn Ghudayaan -rahimahullaah-
[Taken from the introduction to ‘Fataawal-Lajnatid-Daa.imah lil-buhoothil- `Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa.’ (1/10-12)]
`Abdullaah ibn `Abdir-Rahmaan ibn `Abdir-Razzaaq ibn Qaasim Aal Ghudayaan. He is from the family of a muhaddith of Banul-`Anbar, from Banoo `Amr ibn Tameem, and his lineage goes back to `Amr (Taabikhah) ibn Ilyaas ibn Mudar, from the family of the descendants of `Adnaan; and through his mother his lineage goes back to the family of Raashid, from (the tribe of) `Utaybah which is from (the tribes of ) Hawaazin.
*His birth: He was born in the year 1345 [[c.1926 C.E.]] in the town of az-Zulfaa.
* His education: He studied the basics of reading and writing at a young age with `Abdullaah ibn `Abdil-`Azeez as-Suhaymee, and `Abdullaah ibn `Abdir-Rahmaan al-Ghayth, and Faalih ar-Roomee.
He studied the basics of Fiqh, Tawheed, Arabic Grammar, and the laws of Inheritance with Hamdaan ibn Ahmad al-Baatil.
Then he travelled to ar-Riyaad in the year 1363H and entered the Saudi Preparatory School [previously the School for Orphans] in the year 1366 approximately, and he qualified in the year 1368H.
He was appointed as a teacher in al-`Azeeziyyah School, and in the year 1371H he entered the Academic Institute (al-Ma`hadul-`Ilmee). During this period he took knowledge from the eminent Shaikh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem Aalush -Shaikh.
He likewise took the knowledge of Fiqh from Shaikh Sa`ood ibn Rashood (the Qaadee of ar-Riyaad) and from Shaikh Ibraaheem ibn Sulaymaan he learned knowledge of Tawheed. With Shaikh `Abdul-Lateef ibn Ibraaheem he studied Arabic Grammar and the Laws of Inheritance.
Then he continued his studies until he qualified from the College of Sharee`ah in the year 1376H.
He was then appointed as head of the court of al-Khobar. Then he moved to teach in the Academic Institute in the year 1378H.
Then in the year 1380H he was appointed as a teacher in the College of Sharee`ah;
Then in 1386H he became a member of the Iftaa. (Verdicts) Committee in Daarul-Iftaa.Then he 1391H he was appointed a member of the permanent Committee for scholarly research and verdicts, and a member of the Committee of Major Scholars [1].
His Shaikhs: He studied under a group of the seekers of knowledge in the various fields, and the most prominent of them in addition to those already mentioned were:
1) The eminent Shaikh `Abdul-`Azeez ibn `Abdillaah ibn Baaz-under whom he studied Fiqh.
2) Shaikh `Abdullaah al-Khulayfee, with whom he studied Fiqh also;
3) Shaikh `Abdul-`Azeez ibn Rasheed, with whom he studied Fiqh, Tawheed, and the Laws of Inheritance;
4) Shaikh Muhammad al-Ameen ash-Shanqeetee, with whom he studied Usoolul-Fiqh, the Sciences of the Qur.aan, and Tafseer.
5) Shaikh `Abdur-Rahmaan al-Ifreeqee, with whom he studied the Sciences of Hadeeth, and Hadeeth.
6) Shaikh `Abdur-Razzaaq `Afeefee
7) `Abdul-Fattaah Qaaree al-Bukhaaree, from whom he learned the Qur.aan with the recitation of Hafs from `Aasim with his chain of narration back to the Messenger (sallAllaahu alaihi wa sallam); and from others.
*His works:
In addition to what has preceded, along with his other works, from the year 1389H to this day he has been teaching Fiqh; and its Usool and Principals; and Hadeeth and its Sciences; and Tafseer and its branches of knowledge; and `Aqeedah; and Fiqh; in organized lectures throughout most of the days of the week in accordance with circumstances: after Maghrib, and after `Ishaa., and sometimes after Fajr and after `Asr.
Also from 1395H in addition to his work in delivering verdicts he gave lectures to the studies of Higher Studies in Jaami`atul-Imaam (the University of the Imaam), and in the College of Shaaree`ah, teaching Fiqh, Usoolul-Fiqh, the Principals of Fiqh and its Fundamentals, in the lecture hall; and he used to supervise and take part in the debates concerning some of the research papers.
Likewise in this period a large number of students took knowledge from him. Also in the year 1381H he was nominated to take a position in the committee for giving guidance and verdicts during the Hajj which has continued to the present day. Then when the eminent Shaikh `Abdullaah ibn Humayd passed away in the year 1402H, he took over delivering verdicts on the radio-programme ‘Noor `alad-Darb’.”
[1] The Committee of the Major Scholars (Hay.atu Kibaaril-`Ulamaa. was established in 1391H and consisted of Shaikh Ibraaheem ibn Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem Aalush-Shaikh, (head), Shaikh `Abdur-Razzaaq `Afeefee `Atiyyah ( deputy head), Shaikh `Abdullaah ibn `Abdir-Rahmaan al-Ghudayaan (member), Shaikh `Abdullaah ibn Sulaymaan ibn Manee` (member). Then at the end of 1395H Shaikh Ibraaheem Aalush-Shaikh was appointed as the Minister for Justice, and his place as head of the Committee of Major Scholars was taken by Shaikh `Abdul-`Azeez ibn `Abdillaah ibn Baaz -rahimahullaah.
(Translation by Abu Talhah Dawood Burbank)
