Location: Masjid al-Muhafaza – The City of Tanta
Shaykh Muhammad Khaleel al-Khateeb al-Needy was known as an excellent scholar in the fields of Arabic, Islamic jurisprudence and Hadeeth. He was a descendant of the Prophetﷺ, adhered to the Hanafi School and followed the path of Sufism. He (may God be pleased with him) was born in Neeyada, a village in the province of Sohag in the year 1909 CE. His family was well known for their scholarship from generations past. Those who read his works would know his greatness and breadth in knowledge. Among his works:
*”Ithaf al-Anam be Khutab Rasool al-Islam.” This is a compilation of 572 sermons with commentary focusing on problems and solutions of the life of this world and the Hereafter.
*”Ghayatul Matlab fee Sharh Diwan Abee Talib.” His first anthology of poems with commentary.
*”al-Qasas al-Haq lee Sayid al-Khalq” (peace be upon him).
*”al-Tarajim al-Muhima lee al-Arba’it al-A’ima
*”Tafseer al-Khutab lil Quran al-Kareem”
*”al-Ahadeeth al-Muk htara fee al-Bukhari wa Sharhaha”
He founded a large school of Sufism that particularly taught its students that the most perfect man was Muhammad (peace be upon him) and that he should be taken as a role model [for those seeking God]. Many young men graduated from his school and thus disseminated the teachings of Islam of forgiveness. Aside from his Sufism school, Shaykh al-Khateeb also founded a unique school of thought in the learning of Sharia. He focused on the etiquette and morals of dealing with people. Coupled with the large school of Sufism he was able to replicate the kind of pure picture of Islam that early Muslims lived.
His lifetime is a telling example of a man who took the Prophetﷺ and his companions as guides in any situation. God’s presence was his aim, the Qur’an and Sunnah his sustenance, his love of the Prophetﷺ the soul and driving force on his path.
The Shaykh continued teaching Islam among the people by word and action until he passed away at the age of 77 on Friday 1987 CE.