Using Hikmah [Wisdom] In Dawah - Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee الشيخ محمد أمان الجامي

His Name and Birth:
His name was Muhammad Amaan bin Alee Jaamee Alee; and he went by the nickname Abu Ahmad. He was born and raised in Ethiopia in the district of Harer, town of Taga Tab. According to his official documents, he was born in 1349H.

His Early Studies:
The Shaikh grew up in the town of Taga Tab (Ethiopia) where he learned the Noble Quraan. After completing the Quraan, he began studying the books of Fiqh according to the madh-hab of Imaam Ash-Shaafi'ee, may Allaah have mercy on him. He also studied Arabic in his hometown with Shaikh Muhammad Ameen Al-Hareree.

He then left his hometown as was the custom of the inhabitants of that area, and moved to another town where he met with a man who would become his colleague in seeking knowledge and migrating to Saudi Arabia, Shaikh Abdul-Kareem. So the ties of Islamic brotherhood were formed between the two of them. After meeting, they would go together to study under a teacher called Shaikh Moosaa under whom they studied Nadham-uz-Zubd of Ibn Raslaan. They then studied the text of al-Minhaaj under Shaikh Abaadir. While in this town, they learned several disciplines of Islamic knowledge.

The pair then had a desire to travel to the holy land of Makkah to seek knowledge and fulfill the obligation of Hajj. So they left from Ethiopia and headed for Somalia where they boarded a ship and headed for Aden (Yemen). There they experienced many hardships and perils on both land and sea but they continued on to Hudaidah by foot and fasted the month of Ramadaan there.

They then departed for Saudi Arabia and passed through Saamitah and Abi 'Areesh until they got permission to enter Makkah, which they walked to on foot. While in Yemen, some teachers warned them against the Salafi Dawah, which they called Wahhaabee.

His Studies while in Saudi Arabia:
After the Shaikh performed Hajj in 1369H, he began to seek knowledge in the study circles held in the precincts of Al-Masjid-ul-Haraam. There, he learned from Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Hamzah, may Allaah have mercy on him, Shaikh Abdul-Haqq Al-Haashimee, may Allaah have mercy on him, Shaikh Muhammad bin Abdillaah As-Sumaalee and others.

While in Makkah, he came to know Shaikh Abdul-Azeez bin Baaz and accompanied him in his journey to Riyadh when the Educational Institute was opened. This was in the early seventies (i.e. 1370H).

Some of the colleagues he studied with while undergoing secondary studies at the Educational Institute was Shaikh Abdul-Muhsin bin Hamad Al-Abbaad and Shaikh Alee bin Mahnaa, former judge in the Central Courthouse of Madeenah. At the same time, he would attend the many circles of knowledge in Riyadh.

He also benefited and was influenced by the (former) Muftee, the great scholar of Jurisprudence and Principles, Shaikh Muhammad bin Ibraaheem Aali Shaikh, may Allaah have mercy on him.

He would stick closely to Shaikh Abdur-Rahmaan Al-Afreeqee, may Allaah have mercy on him, as well as Shaikh Abdul-Azeez bin Baaz, may Allaah have mercy on him, whose vast knowledge and noble manners he was able to absorb.

In Riyadh, he studied under Shaikh Muhammad Al-Ameen Ash-Shanqeetee, may Allaah have mercy on him, and the Muhaddith, Shaikh Hammaad Al-Ansaaree, may Allaah have mercy on him.

He was also greatly influenced by Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Afeefee, even in his manner of teaching. Likewise, he benefited from and was influenced by Shaikh Abdur-Rahmaan bin Naasir As-Saadee, may Allaah have mercy on him, since they would write letters to each other. However, it should be known that he did not study under Shaikh As-Saadee. He also learned under Shaikh Muhammad Khaleel Harraas, may Allaah have mercy on him, whom he was greatly influenced by, and Shaikh Abdullaah Al-Qaraawee, may Allaah have mercy on him.

His Scholarly Status and the Scholars Praise for him:
The Shaikh held a high status amongst the people of knowledge and virtue as they would mention good things about him and rely on him. In fact, reliance upon his knowledge and Creed reached the point that when he was a student in Riyadh, and his teacher Shaikh Abdul-Azeez bin Baaz, saw his superiority and enthusiasm for knowledge, he referred him to Shaikh Muhammad bin Ibraaheem, may Allaah have mercy on him, which resulted in him being appointed a teacher at the Educational Institute in Saamitah in the district of Jaazaan.

What also proves the trustworthiness of his knowledge and Creed and his high regard amongst the scholars was the fact that when the Islamic University in Madeenah was opened, he was appointed to teach in it after being selected by Shaikh Abdul-Azeez bin Baaz, may Allaah have mercy on him. (less info)