Abdallah bin Bayyah

Sheikh Abdallah bin Bayyah (‎born 1935) is a distinguished Mauritanian Islamic scholar, statesman, and author, renowned for his expertise in Islamic legal theory (uṣūl al-fiqh), advocacy for peace, and contribution to contemporary Islamic scholarship. He currently serves as President of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies (UAE) and Chairman of the Emirates Fatwa Council. Bin Bayyah has been ranked among the world’s most influential Muslims for his scholarly, political, and peace-building endeavours.

Early Life and Education

Sheikh Abdallah bin Bayyah was born in Timbédwé, eastern Mauritania, in 1935, into a prestigious family of scholars and judges. His father, Shaykh Mahfoudh bin Bayyah, headed the Conference of Mauritanian Scholars. Abdallah studied in traditional Mauritanian centres of learning (mahadhir), particularly his father’s school, mastering Arabic, jurisprudence, legal theory, Quranic exegesis, prophetic tradition, and auxiliary sciences. After Mauritania’s independence, he excelled in a judicial examination and went on to study law at the Faculty of Law in Tunisia, training with the Tunisian courts.

Career

Bin Bayyah held an array of high-level judicial, ministerial, and advisory positions in Mauritania from the 1960s to 1978, including:

• Judge at the High Court of Mauritania
• Head of Sharia Affairs at the Ministry of Justice
• Deputy President of the Court of Appeal
• Main negotiator on Religious Affairs for the Republic
• First Minister for Islamic Affairs and Education
• Minister of Justice and Official Holder of the Seals
• Minister of State for Human Resources (Deputy Prime Minister)
• Permanent Trustee and Minister of State for Directing State Affairs for the Ruling Mauritanian People’s Party.

After relocating to Saudi Arabia, he became professor of Islamic studies at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah and engaged with global scholarly councils, including the Islamic Fiqh Council, European Council for Fatwa, Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute, and other international bodies.

Bin Bayyah was previously vice-president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, working closely with Egyptian scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi. Following the Arab Spring, he distanced himself from the IUMS and Qaradawi, founding the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies in Abu Dhabi, which has been noted for its alignment with UAE foreign policy.

He has been involved in theological dialogue, interfaith projects, and policy initiatives, shaping contemporary Islamic responses to extremism, minority fiqh, and global coexistence.

Achievements

• Academic Excellence: Renowned authority in Maliki and comparative legal theory, Arabic rhetoric, Quranic sciences, and hadith.
• Political Leadership: Held senior posts in Mauritanian government, judiciary, and religious education.
• Global Islamic Scholarship: Key positions in multiple fatwa councils, including chairman of the Emirates Fatwa Council.
• Peace Advocacy: Founder and president of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies.
• International Influence: Quoted by global leaders (including President Barack Obama) and regularly ranked among the world’s “500 Most Influential Muslims”.

Books and Publications

Bin Bayyah is the author of numerous scholarly works, including:

• The Craft of the Fatwa and Minority Fiqh (2005)
• A Dialogue about Human Rights in Islam (2003)
• Amaly al-Dalalat (Usul al-fiqh, 2003)
• Terrorism: A Diagnosis and Solutions
• The Discourse of Security in Islam and the Culture of Tolerance and Harmony
• Fatwas and Reflections
• A Clarification on Various Legal Opinions Pertaining to Financial Transactions
• The Benefits of Endowments
• Evidence for those Suffering from Illnesses on the Immense Divine Award that Awaits Them
• Aims and their Proof
• Purposes of Islamic Financial Law

His writings address legal theory, fatwa methodology, human rights, interfaith, financial law, and responses to contemporary issues.

Personal Life

Abdallah bin Bayyah is married and has children. He continues his scholarly, teaching, and advisory work across the Muslim world from his base in the United Arab Emirates.

Legacy and Impact

Bin Bayyah’s legacy is defined by the promotion of moderation, peace, and renewal within Islamic thought. As a senior jurist, statesman, and educator, he has significantly influenced fatwa methodology and minority fiqh. Through his books, advocacy, and leadership, he continues to inspire Islamic scholarship and dialogue in the service of peaceful coexistence.