Ahmad bin Hajar Al Butami
- Died
- 1423 AH
- Born in
- -
Ahmad bin Hajar Al Butami (1333–1423 AH / 1914–2002 CE) was a Gulf-based Islamic scholar, jurist, and Sharia judge in Qatar.
Lineage and early life
His full name was Ahmad ibn Hajar ibn Muhammad ibn Hajar Al Butami al-Bin'ali, belonging to the Al Butami branch of the Al Bin Ali tribe, which was well known in Qatar and Darin in Saudi Arabia. He was born in 1333 AH (1914/1915 CE). While one biographical account states that he was born in Ras al-Khaimah, another record notes that his father had migrated to Persia during periods of famine and conflict in Najd and its surrounding regions, leading to his birth and initial studies under scholars there before he moved back across the Gulf. He memorized the Quran during his childhood.
In 1349 AH (1930/1931 CE), he traveled to al-Ahsa, where he spent four years devoted to religious study under several prominent local scholars, including Ahmad Nur ibn Abd Allah, Abd Allah Muhammad Hanafi, and Ahmad ibn Ali al-Arfaj.
Career and judicial posts
Al Butami settled for a time in Ras al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, where he served as a judge for a number of years. Later, at the invitation of the Grand Mufti Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al al-Shaykh, he taught at the Ma'had Imam al-Da'wa in Riyadh.
In Rabi' al-Awwal 1378 AH (1958 CE), he was recruited to Qatar by Abd Allah ibn Zayd Al Mahmud to serve as an assistant judge, and was subsequently elevated to the position of a full judge, handling urgent and summary proceedings. He later presided over the Sharia court system as chief judge in Qatar. During his judicial service, his court employed an Indian-language translator, a calligraphic scribe, and a typist.
Standing and scholarly activity
Al Butami was characterized by contemporary biographers as a pious jurist versed in the various legal schools of Islamic jurisprudence and proficient in a foreign language. In Qatar, he participated actively in scholarly circles and regularly attended intellectual gatherings, such as the salon of the educator and merchant Mubarak ibn Sayf al-Nakhi, alongside scholars including Abd Allah al-Ansari and Yusuf al-Qaradawi.
In his scholarly writings, he focused primarily on theology, defense of the Salafi creed, and polemics against religious innovations. He authored al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab: Aqidatuhu al-Salafiyya wa Dawatuhu al-Islahiyya wa Thana al-Ulama Alayh, a treatise defending the 12th-century reformer that was introduced and revised by Shaykh Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz. He also penned Tahdhir al-Muslimin an al-Ibtida wa al-Bida fi al-Din, a work dedicated to cautioning Muslims against doctrinal and practical innovations.
Death
Al Butami resided in Qatar until his death on 5 Jumada al-Ula 1423 AH (15 July 2002 CE).
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List of Works
This theological treatise defends Ahmad ibn Hanbal, his school, and later Salafi scholars against historical and contemporary accusations of anthropomorphism and doctrinal extremism.
This biographical and theological study examines the life, teachings, and reform movement of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1115–1206 AH / 1703–1792 CE), defending his adherence to the Sunni creed and compiling testimonies regarding his legacy.
This apologetic and theological treatise defends the 12th-century AH reformer Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab against anti-Wahhabi polemics and historical allegations.