Sad News.

It’s been a very long while since I last posted anything to this blog, so I’m sure this post must be a surprise to those of you who still visit here once in a while or who’re subscribed to it still.

That said, I woke up this morning to some pretty sad news. I had heard a few days ago that he had contracted COVID-19, but what I found out this morning was a bit unexpected.

Of all of the scholars I’ve met in person and spent time with, whose books I’ve read, whose tapes I’ve listened to, he’s probably been the one I’ve been influenced by the most. I haven’t always agreed with his views or some of the things he’s done or how he’s approached certain issues, but he was always a kind and very easy-going shaikh. In the vast majority of the times I’ve spent with him in private sittings, sharing meals, watching him interact with others, be it in person, on video or whatever … he was smiling and jovial, cracking the occasional joke and conversing with others. He was very passionate about da’wah and Islam in general and it showed in much of what he did.

Today I found out about the death of Shaikh Abul-Harith ‘Ali bin Hasan al-Halabi, one of the most prominent students of Shaikh Nasir ad-Din al-Albani and one of his companions at the end of his life.’Tis truly a sad day. May Allah have mercy on the shaikh’s soul, may He forgive him for any of his shortcomings, and may He reward him greatly for his ardent passion and tremendous efforts in spreading Islam to the people.

Rest in peace, ya shaikhana. You will be missed by many.

For those who want to read a little bit about the shaikh, may Allah have mercy on him, I posted a brief biography of him several years ago, which you can read here.