مقال ماتع عن الشيخ الالباني رحمه الله
A Few Enjoyable Benefits about Shaykh Al-Albaani’s Life
Translated
By
Abbas Abu Yahya
Dr. Salim al-Harithi wrote:
‘I was honoured towards the end of the year 1435 A.H – 2014 C.E. to visit his excellency, the knowledgeable historian, the chief of Arab diplomats, Dr. AbdulHadi at-Taazi (d.1436 A.H. – 2015 C.E) in his house, in the city of Rabat in the Kingdom of Morocco.
Our meeting was enjoyable, and it had many benefits and fruits.
From among those benefits was regarding the Shaykh, the scholar Muhammad Nasiruddeen Al-Albaani d.1420 A.H. May Allaah have mercy upon all.
A lot of these benefits are not mentioned in books. Some noble people acknowledged the importance of spreading this benefit regarding the Shaykh, and what took place in this meeting, of which I had recorded.
This information is from observing the elegant subtleties, which contain noble manners and generous characteristics, may Allaah have mercy upon Shaykh Al-Albaani and at-Taazi.
at-Taazi began speaking about his relationship with Shaykh Al-Albaani after giving us the good news of the birth of his great grandson, ‘he is the fourth in line.’
at-Taazi said: ‘I’m AbdulHadi, my son is Saad, his son is AbdulMasawaar – who has the same name as the son of Shaykh Nasiruddeen Al-Albaani – and now I’ve got a grandson.’
Strong Friendship
at-Taazi was asked about his relationship with Al-Albaani and was it a strong one?
at-Taazi said: ‘Very strong!!’ A big smile spread across his face and he said:
‘I believe -and you can relay this from me- there’s no one currently who has a relationship which is very strong and very natural the like of my relationship with Shaykh Al-Albaani. When I used to visit Damascus, he would be the first to receive me.
When I used to visit Jordan, he would be the best to receive me so kindly. It is noteworthy that he visited me here in Fez, and in Rabat.
To me he was highly respected and a straightforward man. Likewise, the way he had a big build, a strong body, and moreover, he had a robust aura about him, may Allaah have mercy upon him.’
How it Started
When at-Taazi was asked about the beginning of this relationship and its reason, his face became illuminated with happiness and then became relaxed. He said:
‘The relationship began under worrying circumstances. Firstly it is necessary that you know I have a son whose name is Saad. When I was appointed as the ambassador to Baghdad, Saad went to Saudi for studies.
Before that, I had placed him with his brother in the French embassy school in Tunisia when I was the Moroccan ambassador to Libya, since it was close by.’
Then he mentioned some information to us about his son Saad and what occurred in that school and the many adventures.
Then after that, Dr. AbdulHadi at-Taazi told us about how when he was transferred from Libya to Iraq as the ambassador for Morocco. ‘Whilst in Iraq, Saad was able to get the Saudi ambassador at that time Abu Sulaiman, around 1383 A.H. to aid him in enrolment for studying in the Islaamic University in Madinah al-Muawwarah.
He had made all his matters easy for him. So, we agreed that Saad would go to see if it was possible to study in the university, in that he would stay there for three days or a week and return. However, he ended up staying there for more than a month without contacting us and we became worried.
After searching and asking via the Saudi embassy we found out that he had become registered in the university and began studying there. During that short time in Madinah and joining the Islaamic University, he became acquainted with Shaykh Al-Albaani, and so he adhered to him and was affected by him and his circumstances developed.
Shaykh Saad at-Taazi himself informed me that he adhered to Shaykh Al-Albaani during his final three months at the university like a shadow. He had recorded many of the gatherings and lessons in Madinah and from them the gatherings of Al-Albaani with Shaykh AbdulAziz bin Baz.’
Dr. AbdulHadi at-Taazi continued:
‘When Saad returned to me with ideas which were not really acceptable at that time, although I tried to explain to my son about these matters, I did not want to oppose him. Saad would narrate to me a lot about Shaykh Al-Albaani, and that he was the reason for his change and the development of his condition. With this, I wanted to know and to get to know this personality who was capable of effecting my son, so I began searching for him.
I asked about him in Saudi, it was said to me that he is not present there, in fact has returned to Damascus.’
Due to my job as an ambassador, I move around a lot, and therefore I have connections. Using my connections I asked about him in Damascus, and what he does, so it was said to me, ‘that he mends watches!!’
I went to Syria, and per chance I had an official assignment there. This was approximately in the year 1968.
I asked about Shaykh Al-Albaani and the possibility of meeting him, it was said to me that the government are angry with him! I used to have a sense of bravery, and on that night I had been invited to dine with the highest ranking military officer, whose name was al-Emaad Mustapha Talaas, so I said to him: ‘What is your opinion, I would like that you ask to allow me to go and see Al-Albaani.’
He agreed and said ‘of course, whatever you want.’ He ordered the soldiers to leave me and not accompany me.
Meeting Shaykh Al-Albaani
When I entered the market place, I began from the further end of the market and then continued like this from Tammeya gate – at-Taazi began smiling – and said: It is possible to picture this episode in a film!
When I entered into Shaykh Al-Albaani’s shop his great aura was imposing, his eyes had a piercing look. I brought some watches with me for repair.
I said to him, ‘I have some watches which need repairing.’
He looked at the watches then stared at me with a seriously.
He said: ‘This watch is no good, but this one can be repaired.’
He quickly distinguished between the watches which could be fixed and those which could not. Then he said: ‘Come to collect these after an hour.’
I accepted this due to his being so confident, with complete trust and without any deception. When I returned to take the watches he said, ‘The cost is twenty.’ So, I gave him fifty rather than giving twenty!
He said, ‘What’s this?’
I replied, ‘Take it!’
He said – in a sharp tone, ‘I said to you twenty!!’
He refused to accept the extra cash, and began being suspicious of me and asked, ‘Who are you O honourable sir?’
I answered, ‘One of the creation of Allaah.’
But he was persistent and I refused to tell him! So, Shaykh Al-Albaani said, perhaps you have a connection with Saad.
I was amazed by this, the shock and amazement was extremely apparent, so I validated his assertion of my connection with Saad and that indeed I was his father. Thereafter he invited me to dinner, and I accepted with full delight.
We went to his house for dinner, even though it was forbidden to enter his home. I spoke to him about many things. I had open conversations and debated him about important matters. I spoke to him with clarity and openness, and he did the same with me, during the discussion and being absorbed in conversation, I took some vegetables to eat with my left hand!
Shaykh Al-Albaani said: O noble sir, use your right hand!!
I thanked him for it. He advised me and did not flatter me, and this was from him being completely transparent with me. From that day on wards an unshakable and firm relationship began between us. From the incidences which occurred between us, which I want you to hear and would like you to know about is:
Al-Albaani Moved to Jordan
When Shaykh Al-Albaani moved to Jordan, some Shaykhs hatched a plot against him that he incites Fitna (trouble and strife) against the government.
So, the government was influenced and issued an order for him to be deported to Syria, and this would result in his death!!
Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala created an opportunity for me to go to Jordan to attend a conference. I was in my room in the hotel, and I got a call from reception that there was a person who wanted to meet me and his name was Nizaam Sakaja. He was a son in law of Shaykh Al-Albaani.
He was in a hurry, so they put him on the phone, and he said: I have a message from Shaykh Al-Albaani. I said, come up, the speech of Al-Albaani is not rejected. When he came up to meet me, he was trembling and said, ‘An order has been issued against Shaykh Al-Albaani that he must leave Jordan this coming Monday, and this is a dangerous matter!!’
I knew about the issue and understood that they were going to deport him.
That evening I had an appointment with the crown prince Al-Hasan of Jordan at that time, and he was the brother of King Hussain. When I visited him, I found that to be an ideal opportunity – especially since he liked me a lot – so I said: ‘Your eminence, dear prince I have heard of a matter which troubles me.’ So, I informed him of the topic.
I found that he already had knowledge of this and was aware of it, then he said, ‘This gentleman moves around a lot and he has helpers who move around with him, in such a way that it causes attention!!’
I said, ‘I have hope that you will leave him alone, since indeed I believe that he is free and far from these matters….’
I now felt that I had burdened him a little, he replied, ‘A request from you is not easy for me to reject.’
Then the prince called for the minister of interior and said to him, regarding Al-Albaani. . . . the minister of interior hastened to the Prince and the matter of deporting Shaykh Al-Albaani had ended. Prince Hasan said, Stop this matter. The file was actually in the minister of interior’s hand. I still have a picture of that moment with Prince, Hasan and I have kept it.
At-Taazi said, ‘Then when I reached the hotel I phoned Nizaam Sakajah and told him: ‘The matter has ended, give your uncle a kiss from me!’
Sakajah said: ‘Alhamdulillaah our Lord has sufficed you with this.’
Kidney Stones
During that same visit after the issue of deportation had ended, Shaykh Al-Albaani had stones in his kidneys and he was in a lot of pain and distress, when I came to know about that I called Prince Al-Hasan – may Allaah reward him. I requested him to treat Sahykh Al-Albaani. So Prince Al-Hasan sent an order to the military hospital to receive him and treat him.
Simplicity
I once visited Shaykh Al-Albaani in Amman, the capital of Jordan, and he said, ‘What would you like for dinner?’
I said to him: ‘I will have anything for dinner with you.’ So, he brought a watermelon. He cut it in half, and it was delicious and tasty, we both ate that with bread.
At-Taazi said I have all of Shaykh Al-Albaani’s books, I have strived in obtaining all his books.
The Zuhud of the Shaykh
At-Taazi said: ‘I will never forget my encounters with Al-Albaani.’ Shaykh Al-Albaani came to visit Morocco a long time ago, around 1390 A.H., we were delighted, and that we could give him complete hospitality. He told me that he wanted to go to ‘Tamegroute’ in the south of Morocco to search for manuscripts, and he said I need your car. I accepted with complete pleasure, however I wanted to honour him more. So, I called the royal courts to prepare a journey for him, when Al-Albaani came to me, ‘I said, My Lord Allaah, has given you His goodness, and that you will go in a royal car!!
I really believed that he would have been delighted with this, rather he refused, utterly refused.
He said, ‘No, no, I will not even take your car!!’
I exclaimed, ‘What is this?! I’ve already spoken to the royal courts?!’
He said, ‘Inform them that I do not desire a royal car.’
On that I called them and informed them. Do you know what was the response of King al-Hasan the second – may Allaah have mercy upon him?
The King said, ‘This man is a truthful, righteous believer. Leave him to go wherever he wants without any guards or any one taking him to account. This is clear proof that he is a truthful believer.’
So, he went in his own car to ‘Tamegroute’, his car was small and the Shaykh was large. When he would get in the car, he would fill up the whole car, it was, I think a small Volkswagen with which he came from Syria.
At this point everyone laughed and it was said, these stories are not mentioned in his biography or have been narrated about him. So, at-Taazi said: ‘No you won’t find that, and I give you permission to convey them from me exactly.’
Taken from
https://www.al-jazirah.com/2022/20220418/wo1.htm