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Al-`Izz Ibn `Abdus-Salaam was one of the most famous characters of the
seventh Hijri century (13th century. AD). He was a learned scholar
with deep knowledge of Islamic sciences such as Jurisprudence and
Prophetic narrations. He was alsoa great writer who authored valuable
books. These were not the only reasons which caused people to love him
and respect him. People loved him because helived for them, teaching
them their religious affairs, eradicating innovations in religion and
superstitions, advising the rulers,performing Jihaad in the
battlefields in the cause of Allaah and confronting injustice and
tyranny.
A Genius in His Childhood
`Abdul-'Azeez Ibn `Abdus-Salaam known as Al-`Izz, was born in Damascus
in 577 A.H., 1181 A.C. He spent his early years in Damascus where he
acquired knowledge. At that time there were classes of knowledge
everywhere in Damascus whetherin mosques or schools. Al-`Izz was a
little bit behind his colleagues in acquiring knowledge but he
succeeded in compensating for the knowledgehe missed through being
studious in class and studying hislessons with a strong will and
ardent desire. His intelligence anddeep understanding helped him
master jurisprudence, interpretation of the Quran, Quran sciences,
Prophetic narrations, Arabic language, literature, grammar, and
rhetoric.
After finishing his study, he started to teach in his house, Damascus
mosques, and state-funded schools. The young teacher managed to have a
large number of students who liked him because of his deep knowledge,
mastery of his subjects, excellence in explaining the lessons, and his
sense of humour as he used to mention some anecdotes that alleviated
the toughness of the lessons and eliminated boredom. Following this
methodology, many studentsjoined his classes and liked him.
The Preacher of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus
Al-`Izz Ibn `Abdus-Salaam was an excellent preacher who influenced his
listeners through his sincere emotion, deep knowledge, smooth style,
and clear ideas.
These qualifications made him the preacher of the Umayyad Mosque in
Damascus. His Friday speeches were excellent lectures in which people
learnt about the teachings of their religion, the issues that may be
of concern to them and how to tackle the problems they faced in their
dailylives which he (i.e. Al-'Izz) solved. Al-`Izz Ibn `Abdus-Salaam
was famous for his steadfastnessand he never remained silent when he
saw falsehood or injustice especially on issues that may affect the
Islamic community or the territory in which he lived. If he knew about
certain encroachments or violations, he would immediately pinpoint
them out and display the Islamic perspective towards them. This
attitude caused some problems for him, but he did not care as long as
he fulfilled his Islamic duty.
In one of his Friday speeches, he stated a legal opinion [Fatwa] that
prohibited selling weapons to the Crusaders who were still occupying
some territories in Levant. He adopted this opinion especially after
he came to know that the Crusaders used these weapons in fighting the
Muslims.
He also came to know that the Sultan of Damascus, As-Saalih Ismaa`eel,
allowed some Crusaders to enter Damascus in order to buy weapons from
the Muslim merchants.
That Friday speech had a great effect on the people who talked about
it and admired it, except for the Sultan and his retinues. The Sultan
deposed him from thejob of delivering Friday speeches or issuing Fatwa
(legal Islamic opinions) and even imprisoned him. However, he released
him shortly afterwards because he was afraid of the people's anger and
revolution. However, the Sultan issued a mandatory decreethat Al-`Izz
should not leave his house.
His Departure to Cairo
Al-`Izz Ibn `Abdus-Salaam was fed up because of the isolation imposed
on him and because he was prohibited from giving religious speeches
and delivering Fatwa. He felt that the value of a man is based on his
ability to benefit others, and that his own value was to mix with
people, teach them, deliver Fatwaand Friday speeches. Therefore, he
decided to leave for Cairo. He refused to ask for the Sultan's
forgiveness so that the latter would be pleased with him.
The Shaykh arrived in Cairo in 639 A.H., 1241 A.C. The Sultan of
Egypt,As-Saalih Ayyoob, received him whole-heartedly. The Sultan
immediately asked him to give Friday speeches in `Amr Ibn Al-`Aas
Mosque. He also appointed him as the Chief Judge and supervisor on
re-populating desolate mosques in Egypt. His job is close to what is
known nowadays as Minister of Awqaf (Endowments) and Islamic
affairs.m) Sells the Princes:
The revered Shaykh agreed to be the Chief Judge so as to defend the
people's rights and protect them from oppressors and people in power.
The Shaykh discovered that most of the princes, upon whom As-Saalih
Ayyoob relied, were still slaves. He saw that as long as these princes
were not free, it was not valid to designate them to take care of
administering the country's affairs. The courageous Shaykh immediately
told them his opinion. He invalidated their business transactions such
as buying, selling and other actions that only free people did. The
princes' interests were paralyzed and among these princes was
thedeputy of the Sultan.
The princes tried to negotiate with Al-`Izz Ibn `Abdus-Salaam so that
he would abrogate Fatwa [his Islamic legal opinion] that they should
be sold and their prices would be deposited in the Muslims' Treasury
House. The Shaykh refused their negotiations and exhortation. As it
was a difficult situation for the slave princes, they refused to
adhere to the legal opinion of theShaykh and they referred the whole
affair to the Sultan, As-Saalih Ayyoob. The Sultan asked the Shaykh to
abandon his opinion, but the Shaykh refused. The Sultan spoke in a
tough way to the Shaykh who left the meeting with the intention of
resigning from his position.
The Auction of Selling the Princes:
When the news of the Shaykh's resignation spread and that he had
decided to leave Cairo, people followed him and appealed to his
return. At the same time, the Sultan realized that he had made a
mistake and he also followed the Shaykh in order to grant him whatever
he wished. The Sultan convinced himto return, and the Shaykh agreed
but he stipulated that the princesmust be sold.
It was an extremely impressive scene when Al-`Izz Ibn `Abdus-Salaam
started to sell the princes one after another and askfor more money in
return for them. The Sultan paid their pricesout of his own money to
the courageous Shaykh who deposited their price in the Muslims'
Treasury House. This rare incident was the reason for calling Al-`Izz
Ibn `Abdus-Salaam "the Seller of Kings".
Princes First in Paying Taxes
The Shaykh stayed in Cairo until the Sultan Sayfud-Deen Qutuz assumed
power in 657 A.H., 1258 A.C.
During his reign, the Tartars sent some messengers to Cairo askingfor
an unconditional surrender. The Tartars were at the entrancesof Egypt
after they had controlledthe whole eastern Muslim world. The Sultan of
Egypt refused and insisted on defense and resistance. Al-`Izz Ibn
`Abdus-Salaam was the one behind the Sultan having such an opinionand
he mobilized the people to go out for Jihaad.
The Sultan needed money to spend on the preparations for the battle.
He tried to impose new taxes on the people but Al-`Izz Ibn
`Abdus-Salaam opposed this move, and said to him: "Before you impose
more taxes on the people, you and the princes must first return all
your money to the Muslims' Treasury House. If this money is not
sufficient to prepare for the battle, then you could impose more taxes
on the people."
The Sultan accepted the opinion of Al-`Izz Ibn `Abdus-Salaam and acted
accordingly. The Muslims marched out to encounter the Tartars and they
defeated them in the battle of `Ayn Jaaloot.
Books by the Shaykh and his Scientific Achievements:
Al-`Izz Ibn `Abdus-Salaam was a multi-talented scholar in the fields
of giving Fatwa, delivering Friday speeches, actingas a judge, and
teaching. He wrote many books on the interpretation of the Quran,
Prophetic narrations, jurisprudence, principles of jurisprudence and
the Prophet's Biography. Among his most famous books are Principles of
Rulings and "The Utmost Goal in Abridging the End". Both books cover
the As-Shaafi'ee Juristic School. He also wrote "An Abridged Version
of Saheeh Muslim", "The Beginning in GivingPreference to the Prophet"
and"The Interpretation of the Quran".
The Character of Al-`Izz Ibn `Abdus-Salaam ( (
Al-`Izz Ibn `Abdus-Salaam was a true scholar who knew that the role of
a scholar is not restricted to giving classes, delivering Friday
speeches, and teaching students. He was a reformer who used to guide
people to what is right and would correct their mistakes even if they
were committed by aprince or the Sultan himself. As he had a strong
will and his soul was filled with love for Allaah, there was no room
in his soul to fear the Sultan or those in authority. He never feared
anyone, except Allaah. When a person fears Allaah, people respect him
and hold him in high esteem.
The Shaykh lived to reform the lives of people. He occupied a dear
place in their hearts and he loved the people who, in turn, loved him.
His Death
The revered Shaykh lived for eighty three years full of serving Islam,
correcting mistakes with his tongue and pen and fighting the Crusaders
until he died on the10th of Jumaadaa Al-Awwal 660 A.H., the 2nd of
March 1261 A.C.