Official government website of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Qassim Region, patronized the conference «The Esteemed Scholar Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Saadi: His Scientific and Da'wah Contributions.» The conference is organized by the university, represented by the College of Science and Arts in Unaizah, in collaboration with the Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen Chair for Sharia Studies. It will be held today, Wednesday, 23/3/1441 AH, and will span two days at the university city campus in Unaizah. The objective is to highlight the legacy of Sheikh Al-Saadi and the aspects of renewal in his thought and jurisprudence. The event was attended by His Excellency the President General of the affairs of the Two Holy Mosques and the Prophet's Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais; His Excellency the Advisor at the Royal Court and member of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Saad bin Nasser Al-Shathri; and a number of directors of government entities in the region.
His Highness the Prince of Al-Qassim emphasized during his patronage of the ceremony the importance of such a conference, which is a generous initiative bringing together scholars and students of knowledge to focus on a great scholar who served the religion of Allah above all else, and excelled in many of his interpretations. He noted that he had read much of Sheikh Ibn Saadi's interpretations years ago, and they had a great impact on understanding the Quran and its meanings, and contemplating the verses of Allah Almighty. He explained that this conference reminds the new generations, who have been overwhelmed by social media and superficial knowledge in this era, and who have not delved into the teachings of the divinely-inspired scholars who served this religion from this land, which is the land of the call, from the beginning of the first Saudi state until today.
His Highness called upon the nascent university and all universities to focus on such luminaries, highlight their efforts, and not forget them in conferences and seminars that would explain and demonstrate to present generations, and the entire world, the efforts of righteous scholars who served this great religion. If we do not remember our scholars, who will remember them? He supplicated Allah Almighty to grant victory to His religion, to exalt His word, to establish truth wherever it may be, and to make the deeds of this nation, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His Crown Prince, our esteemed scholars, and our universities—which we hope will race to hold such conferences and seminars—purely for His noble Countenance.
His Eminence, the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and President of the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, sent a speech to the conference, which was delivered on his behalf by Dr. Abdullah Al-Nasser. He said: “Allah Almighty has appointed sincere men in every era and time to serve His religion and spread the knowledge of the Book and the Sunnah. These men serve Islam, call to Allah, and spread the religious sciences derived from the noble Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet. No era is devoid of these esteemed scholars who have dedicated themselves to carrying the message of religious knowledge and exerted their efforts to teach people the matters of their religion and enlighten them regarding the rulings of Sharia, both permissible and forbidden. Among these divine scholars in our blessed country is Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Nasser Al-Saadi, who is one of the scholars of the blessed call founded by the Imam Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, may Allah have mercy on him. A group of righteous scholars followed in carrying this call and adhering to his methodology, calling to Allah, spreading the correct creed, and combating polytheism, innovations, and superstitions.”.
He added that Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Saadi is a unique personality and a prominent scholar in the chain of Da'wah scholars. He made commendable efforts in serving Islam, the sciences of the Qur'an and Sunnah, and in teaching and enlightening people about their religion. In addition to his work in teaching and education, he authored a number of beneficial books and treatises on the sciences of the Qur'an and Sunnah and the jurisprudence of Islamic Sharia. People have greatly benefited from his lessons and writings during his lifetime and after his death until this day. His books have become widespread among people, and seekers of knowledge, including Islamic researchers, preachers, orators, teachers, and Muslims in general, have flocked to benefit from his books and treatises, each according to their field, specialization, and interests. His books are characterized by clarity of expression, eloquence of style, fluency of language, ease of expression and formulation, and avoidance of complexity and difficult wording. Therefore, his books and writings have been a sweet resource for all those interested in the Sharia sciences, including creed, hadith, jurisprudence, principles, sermons, admonition, guidance, and other various scientific aspects of his scientific heritage.
For his part, Advisor at the Royal Court and member of the Council of Senior Scholars, Dr. Saad bin Nasser Al-Shathri, delivered the participants' speech. In it, he emphasized two points related to the conference. The first concerns the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has created an environment for science, learning, and education. This is in contrast to a time when the country was a byword for fear and hunger, and when some people could not even feel safe. Then, God Almighty prepared this state, which adopted the creed of monotheism, the methodology of the Sunnah, and the approach of science. It thus became a reason for the spread of knowledge throughout the Islamic world by providing the means that led to its dissemination.
Al-Shathri saw that this town, Unaizah, is a model that led to the spread of knowledge through the scholars who studied there. Qassim University has had a positive impact on the spread of knowledge by accepting students from various parts of the Islamic world, so they can study what benefits them and become guides of righteousness, through whom good will spread, God willing. The second matter is that the Sheikh's efforts and legacy are not limited to his writings. Therefore, he is one of the most cited contemporary scholars in research; Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Saadi, despite his recent passing, is frequently and continuously cited. The concise books on sciences, which simplified these disciplines, were a reason for the spread of knowledge.
On his part, His Excellency Professor Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of the University, said in his speech at the conference: The university always opens its doors to whatever serves scientific research and harnesses all capabilities for its development, in belief of its role in this field, which is one of the three primary goals of universities. This includes holding specialized conferences that attract researchers to participate, so that ideas meet, minds transform, and recommendations with impact are issued in a distinguished, objective scientific atmosphere. Today, we are pleased that His Highness the Governor of Al-Qassim region, Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, inaugurates this conference, which is considered one of the aspects of caring for scholars and their heritage in higher education institutions. This is an extension of the state and its leadership's care – may God protect them – for knowledge and scholars, since its establishment by the founder King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud – may God have mercy on him.
Al-Dawood added: "The presence of His Highness the Emir of Qassim at this conference is an extension of the university's continuous support and care for scholars and researchers, especially Sharia scholars, who have played a prominent role, such as Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Saadi – may God have mercy on him – who was taught by a group of the greatest scholars of this blessed country. We extend our sincere thanks and special prayers to them, asking God to reward them with the best reward." He also expressed his thanks to the scholars and researchers participating in the conference and all attendees.
For his part, the head of the organizing committee of the conference, the Dean of the College of Science and Arts in Unaizah, Professor Dr. Farid Al-Zamil, said: "This scientific conference comes as a tribute to science, in fulfillment of its people's rights, and in service to its students, as applications for participation poured in immediately after its announcement. From these, 127 abstracts were selected, and after review and arbitration, 52 research papers and work papers were accepted, along with 53 male and female researchers, in various sciences in which the Sheikh had a contribution.".
Al-Zamil offered sincere thanks on behalf of the conference organizing committee to these researchers, our esteemed reviewers, the scientific committee, and all conference participants, noting that their contributions are the lasting fruit of the conference. He also extended his sincere thanks to the patron of the ceremony, His Highness the Emir of Al-Qassim, and to our blessed university, represented by its Rector, Professor Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, its Vice-Rectors, as well as our colleagues at the Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen Chair, as they are key partners upon whom the scientific aspect was built and through whom, with God's grace, success is achieved and impact remains. Thanks also go to our colleagues in the college who saw this event as part of them; its success is their success, and its blessing is theirs. May God reward them with the best of rewards.
Al-Zamil pointed out that the memory of Sheikh Al-Saadi reminds us of a great gesture by His Majesty King Saud, may God have mercy on him. When he learned of the Sheikh's illness, he immediately ordered a private plane to be sent to transport him from Unaizah to major hospitals, despite the limited resources and options at the time. May God have mercy on them all. Knowledge and its scholars have always been among the most important matters this blessed country has cared for.
Upon arriving at the conference venue, His Highness the Prince of the region opened the accompanying exhibition, which features 12 pavilions. Among them is a pavilion for the College of Science and Arts in Unaizah, showcasing its 40-year journey. There is also a pavilion for the Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen Chair for Sharia Studies, as well as a pavilion for Sheikh Ibn Sa'di, and the Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Sa'oui Chair for Positive Development. Additionally, there are pavilions for the sponsor "Alinma Bank," King Abdulaziz Foundation, Dar Al-Maiman, Dar Ibn Al-Jawzi for Publishing and Distribution, Princess Al-Anoud Charitable Foundation, the Global House for Islamic Books, the Sheikh Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Uthaymeen Charitable Foundation, and the Al-Salihiya Charitable Society in Unaizah Governorate – Sheikh Ibn Sa'di Center for Studies and Research.
