Muhammad Taqi al-Din al-Hilali
- Died
- 1407 AH
- Born in
- -
Muhammad Taqi al-Din al-Hilali (1311–1407 AH / 1893–1987 CE) was a Moroccan Islamic scholar, linguist, and traveler who taught in various educational institutions across the Muslim world and Europe .
Lineage and Early Life
His full name was Muhammad Taqi al-Din ibn Abd al-Qadir al-Hilali al-Husayni al-Sijilmasi, with the kunya Abu Shakib . The nisba al-Hilali traces back to his eleventh ancestor, Abu Abd al-Qadir Hilal; the family originally came from Kairouan before his ancestor Abd al-Qadir ibn Hilal settled in Morocco in the late ninth century AH .
Al-Hilali was born in 1311 AH (1893/1894 CE) in the village of al-Fayda al-Qadima (also known as al-Farkh) in the rural district of Ifli near Sijilmasa in the Tafilalt region of Morocco . He memorized the Quran by the age of twelve under the tutelage of his father and grandfather . He then pursued legal and religious sciences under teachers including Muhammad Sidi ibn Habib Allah al-Tandaghi al-Shinqiti .
Intellectual Shift and Travels
In his early life, al-Hilali affiliated with the Tijani Sufi order for nine years and attained the rank of muqaddam . Following a scholarly debate with Muhammad ibn al-Arabi al-Alawi, he renounced the order and adopted Salafism . He later authored al-Hadiyya al-Hadiya ila al-Taifa al-Tijaniyya ("The Guiding Gift to the Tijani Sect") to critique the order's doctrines and practices .
Al-Hilali traveled extensively to pursue studies and teach:
- In Cairo, he met Muhammad Rashid Rida and other scholars, writing regularly for periodicals such as al-Manar and Muhibb al-Din al-Khatib's al-Fath .
- In India, he studied hadith and obtained an authorization (ijaza) from Abd al-Rahman ibn Abd al-Rahim al-Mubarakfuri, and studied with Muhammad ibn Husayn al-Hadidi . At the invitation of Sayyid Sulayman al-Nadwi, he chaired Arabic literature instruction at Nadwat al-Ulama in Lucknow for three years, learned English, and co-founded the periodical al-Diya with his student Mas'ud Alam al-Nadwi .
- In Iraq, he resided in al-Zubayr and taught at Madrasat al-Najat al-Ahliyya .
- In the Arabian Peninsula, he was hosted by King Abd al-Aziz Al Saud and was appointed inspector of teachers at the Prophet's Mosque for two years, followed by a year of teaching at the Grand Mosque and the Saudi Institute in Mecca .
- In Europe, he visited Geneva and stayed with Amir Shakib Arslan, who recommended him for academic employment in Germany . In 1359 AH, al-Hilali completed his doctorate in Germany with a critical edition and translation of the introduction to al-Biruni's Kitab al-Jamahir fi al-Jawahir . He also visited northern Norway in 1936, documenting his journey and legal considerations regarding prayer times in polar regions in al-Shams fi Nisf al-Layl ("The Sun at Midnight") .
Academic Career and Later Life
In 1388 AH, al-Hilali performed the pilgrimage and met Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz, who appointed him as a professor at the Islamic University of Madinah, where he taught until 1394 AH . He subsequently returned to Morocco, continuing his preaching and writing activities .
Death
Al-Hilali died at his residence in Casablanca, Morocco, on Monday, 25 Shawwal 1407 AH (22 June 1987 CE) . Another biographical report lists his year of death as 1406 AH .
Answer updated
List of Works
Al-Islam wa al-Madhahib al-Ishtirakiyya (Islam and Socialist Doctrines) is a treatise that examines the foundational principles of Islam and articulates its independent socioeconomic system in contrast to modern secular doctrines, particularly socialism, communism, and capitalism.
Atuwa'id Sunnat al-Rasul bi-Mahwiha ("Do You Threaten to Erase the Ways of the Messenger?") is a ninety-five-verse poem composed to defend the prophetic Sunnah and critique religious innovations as well as political hostility directed against Salafi preaching.
Taqwim al-Lisanayn ("Rectification of the Two Tongues") is a linguistic treatise on modern Arabic correction and stylistic usage, addressing prevalent grammatical, lexical, and stylistic errors found in contemporary spoken and written language.
al-Qawl al-Fasl fi Hukm Tarik al-Salah Amdan hatta yakhruj waqtuha (The Decisive Word on the Ruling of One Who Deliberately Leaves Prayer Until Its Time Has Passed) is a legal treatise examining the legal status, creedal standing, and rulings regarding a person who intentionally abandons obligatory prayer beyond its prescribed time.
Talim al-Inath wa Tarbiyatuhunna (The Education and Upbringing of Females) is a treatise that addresses contemporary debates surrounding women's education, social status, and moral upbringing in Muslim societies.
Akhlaq al-Shabab al-Muslim (The Morals of the Muslim Youth) is an ethical treatise originally published in the journal of the Islamic University of Madinah. The work outlines the spiritual, ethical, and practical obligations required for cultivating upright Muslim youth.
al-Hadiyya al-Hadiya ila al-Taifa al-Tijaniyya (The Guiding Gift to the Tijani Sect) is a critical polemical treatise written to refute the doctrines, litanies, and claims of the Tijani Sufi order (Tijaniyya).
Hadith ma‘a Za'ir Karim: Bahth fi Ishtiqaq Kalimat Talmud (A Conversation with an Honored Visitor: A Study on the Derivation of the Word Talmud) is a philological and religious treatise that examines the Semitic etymology of the Hebrew word Talmud, investigates the historical usage of Hebrew and Syriac among Jewish communities, and critiques esoteric linguistic claims attributed to Sufi figures.
Al-Thaqafa allati nahtaj ilayha (The Culture We Need) is a treatise examining the foundational requirements for the spiritual, social, and cultural revival of Muslim societies. It was first published as an essay in the third issue of the Islamic University of Madinah's journal, Majallat al-Jami'a al-Islamiyya.
Al-Shams fi Nisf al-Layl (The Sun at Midnight) is a geographical and juridical travel treatise documenting a journey to northern Norway and examining the legal determination of Islamic prayer and fasting times in polar regions experiencing continuous daylight.
al-Taqaddum wal-Rajiyya (Progress and Reactionism) is a treatise analyzing modern concepts of progress and reactionism while defending Islamic adherence against accusations of backwardness. Originating as a public lecture delivered at the Islamic University of Madinah, it examines the linguistic roots of these terms and argues that returning to Islamic guidance represents true advancement.
Ma Waqa fi al-Quran bighayr Lughat al-Arab ("What Occurred in the Qur'an from Non-Arabic Languages") is a linguistic and exegetical treatise examining Arabized loanwords (mu'arrab) and shared Semitic vocabulary in the Qur'an. It addresses classical scholarly debates and modern claims regarding non-Arabic terms, maintaining that all vocabulary in the Qur'an conformed to Arabic morphology and phonology.
al-Din wa al-Sunan al-Kawniyya (Religion and Cosmic Laws) is a treatise examining the harmony between divine revelation and natural laws, arguing that true religion never conflicts with universal cosmic principles. The work refutes extreme ascetic practices and forms of self-torment that conflict with human nature and divine design, while presenting an expansive Islamic concept of worship.
al-Husam al-Mahiq li-Kull Mushrik wa Munafiq (The Annihilating Sword Against Every Polytheist and Hypocrite) is a theological and polemical treatise dedicated to expounding Islamic creed and censuring theological and ritual deviations. It addresses perceived manifestations of polytheism, hypocrisy, and unlawful innovations, including practices such as collective Quranic recitation in unison.