Biography of Shaykh Sa‘eed bin ‘Ali bin Wahaf al-Qahtani (1371 AH / 1952 CE – 1440 AH / 2018 CE)

Shaykh Sa‘eed bin ‘Ali bin Wahaf al-Qahtani was a distinguished Saudi religious scholar, author, and imam, best known for his celebrated book Hisn al-Muslim (Fortress of the Muslim) — a concise and authentic compilation of supplications and remembrances from the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

Birth and Early Life

He was born in 1371 AH (1952 CE) in the village of Al-‘Arin, located near Abha in the southern region of Saudi Arabia.

He belonged to the honorable Qahtan tribe.

Raised in a modest environment, he began his early education in Madrasa al-‘Arin in 1387 AH, at about fifteen years of age.

Education

Shaykh al-Qahtani pursued his higher studies at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, from where he graduated in 1406 AH.

He later obtained a Master’s degree in 1412 AH and completed his Doctorate (PhD) in 1419 AH, demonstrating deep commitment to Islamic scholarship and research.

Teachers and Scholarly Influence

Among his most prominent teachers was Shaykh ‘Abdul ‘Aziz bin ‘Abdullah bin Baz (may Allah have mercy on him), with whom he studied directly and attended his scholarly circles (halaqat ‘ilmiyyah).

In these sessions, he studied various branches of Islamic sciences, including:

In Hadith

- As-Sihah as-Sittah (The Six Authentic Books)
- Musnad Ahmad
- Al-Muwatta’ of Imam Malik
- Sunan ad-Darimi
- Sharh as-Sunnah by al-Baghawi

In Tafsir (Qur’anic Exegesis)

- Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim by Ibn Kathir
- Tafsir al-Baghawi

In Mustalah al-Hadith (Hadith Methodology)

- Nukhbat al-Fikr
- Sharh Alfiyyat al-‘Iraqi

In ‘Aqidah (Creed)

- Al-Usul ath-Thalathah
- Fadl al-Islam

Writings and Scholarly Contributions

Shaykh Sa‘eed al-Qahtani was a prolific writer who authored approximately eighty (80) books on various Islamic subjects including creed (‘aqidah), worship (‘ibadah), manners (akhlaq), and jurisprudence (fiqh).

His most renowned work, Hisnul Muslim (Fortress of the Muslim), has been translated into numerous languages and remains one of the most widely circulated Islamic books across the world.

Some of His Notable Works

- Sharh Hisnul Muslim
- Min Ahkam Surah al-Ma’idah
- Murshid al-Mu‘tamir wal-Haaj waz-Za’ir fi Daw’ al-Kitab was-Sunnah
- Birr al-Walidayn (Kindness to Parents)
- Silat al-Arham (Maintaining Family Ties)
- Ar-Riba: Adraruhu wa Atharuhu (Usury: Its Harms and Effects)
- Manasik al-Hajj (Rites of Hajj)
- Ramyi al-Jamarat
- Zakat al-Fitr
- As-Siyam fil-Islam (Fasting in Islam)
- Sharh Asma’ Allah al-Husna (Explanation of Allah’s Beautiful Names)
- Nur al-Iman wa Zulumaat an-Nifaq (Light of Faith and Darkness of Hypocrisy)
- Al-Jihad fi Sabilillah

Imamate and Service

In addition to his scholarly pursuits, Shaykh al-Qahtani served as an imam and teacher, dedicating his life to spreading authentic Islamic knowledge based on the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Death

Shaykh Sa‘eed bin ‘Ali bin Wahaf al-Qahtani passed away on Monday, 21st Muharram 1440 AH, corresponding to 1st October 2018 CE.

His death was widely mourned by scholars and students across the Muslim world, who continue to benefit from his writings and enduring legacy.