'Abd al-Qadir al-Arna'ut

Shaykh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Arna'ut was a modern hadith scholar, best known for his edition of Ibn al-Athir's Jami' al-Usul, first published in 1389 AH/1969 CE. ² His assistants say he spent his life in the service of the Prophet ﷺ's Sunna. ²

He wrote the preface to the first edition on Thursday 14 Safar 1389 AH, explaining that he had used manuscripts in the Zahiriyya library in Damascus — among them a volume in the author's hand — and had discussed every hadith's soundness or weakness, since the author had not. ³ He mentions issuing the book in successive affordable volumes in cooperation with the publishers Husayn Nazim al-Halwani, 'Abd Allah al-Mallah and Bashir 'Uyun. ⁴

After the first edition he went on correcting and revising the book, setting right slips and flawed references, and recording this on his personal copy. ⁵ When 'Ali Mustu of Dar Ibn Kathir proposed a new edition, he chose 'Adnan 'Abd Rabbih, Muhammad Adib al-Jadir and Ma'mun al-Saghirji to assist him; they collated a newly found manuscript and added references, while he reserved for himself the review of the hadith gradings, examining each volume after its final correction and approving it for print. ⁶

His assistants describe him as approachable, easy-natured and generous, known for his humility and for putting those who sat with him at ease; his house or office was a refuge for students and people in need, and teaching, questioners seeking fatwas and illness sometimes kept him from finishing the work. ⁶

He died on Friday 13 Shawwal 1425 AH, 26 November 2004, and was buried in the al-Haqla cemetery in the upper Midan quarter, before the second edition was complete; his assistants completed it and signed its preface in Damascus on 13 Shawwal 1429 AH/13 October 2008. ^{2 7}