Abdul-Rahman al-Sa'di

Sheikh Abdul-Rahman ibn Nasir al-Sa'di [ar. الشيخ عبد الرحمن بن ناصر السعدي] (1376-1956/1307-1889AH) was an Islamic scholar, teacher and author in Unayzah, al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. He is also sometimes referred to as ibn al-Sa'di. He taught and authored more than 40 books in several different fields including tafsir, fiqh, and 'aqeedah. He served as the imam and khateeb for the largest jami' mosque and director of the religious training school, al-Ma'had al-'Ilmi, of Unayzah. 
==Early Life==
al-Sa'di was born in the city of Unayzah, al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia in 1889/1307AH. His father, Nasir al-Sa'di, was an imam and preacher in a mosque in the Unayzah. His mother died when he was four years old, and his father passed away when he was seven. He was initially cared for by his father's second wife and was later transferred to the guardianship of his oldest brother, Hamad ibn Nasir al-Sa'di. He completed his memorization of the Qur’an by the age of eleven and then pursued religious education from the scholars in his locality. 
==Teachers==
al-Sa'di had a number of teachers. These included:
* Sheikh Muhammad Abdul-Kareem ibn Shibl, under whom he studied fiqh, usool al-fiqh, and the Arabic language
* Sheikh Abdullah ibn A'idh, under whom he studied fiqh, usool al-fiqh, and the Arabic language
* Sheikh Ibrahim ibn Hamad ibn Jasir, under whom he studied tafsir, hadeeth and hadeeth sciences
* Sheikh Sa'b al-Tuwayjiri, undr whom he studied fiqh and usool al-fiqh
*Sheikh Ali ibn Muhammad al-Nasaa'i, under whom he studied usool al-deen
*Sheikh Ali ibn Nasir ibn Wadi, under whom he studied hadeeth, tafsir, usool al-tafsir, and usool al-hadeeth, and was also granted ijazah in the six books of hadeeth
* Sheikh Muhammad al-Ameen al-Shinqiti, under whom he studied tafsir, hadeeth, mustalah al-hadeeth, and the Arabic language
* Sheikh Salih ibn Uthman Aal al-Qadhi, under whom he studied tawheed, tafsir, fiqh, and the Arabic language
*Sheikh Muhammad al-Mani', under whom he studied the Arabic language
*Sheikh Ibrahim ibn Salih ibn Isa, under whom he studied usool al-deen
Out of his teachers, al-Sa'di studied the most under sheikh Salih ibn Uthman Aal al-Qadhi and remained a regular student of his until al-Qadhi's death in 1932/1351AH.
al-Sa'di studied under sheikh Muhammad al-Ameen al-Shinqiti when al-Shinqiti came to teach in Unayzah in 1911/1330AH.
al-Sa'di also showed great interest in the writings of ibn Taymiyah and ibn al-Qayyim and was significantly influenced by their works.
== Professional Life ==
al-Sa'd began teaching at the age of 23. He continued attending classes as a student while simultaneously teaching his own classes until 1931/1350AH when he dedicated himself entirely to teaching, writing, and delivering fatawa. In 1941/1360AH, al-Sa'di established a public library in Unayzah with funds provided by the governor. In 1941/1360AH, al-Sa'di was appointed to be the qadhi (judge) of Unayzah, however he declined this position. He was appointed as the imam and khateeb for the city's largest jami' mosque in Ramadan 1942/1361AH. In 1953/1373AH, al-Sa'di was appointed as the director of the religious training school, al-Ma'had al-'Ilmi, of Unayzah. 
al-Sa'di was the first person to introduce loud speakers to the city of Unayzah, which was initially met with some resistance. In response, he delivered a khutbah via loud speaker regarding the benefits of using modern technologies for spreading religious knowledge.
==Notable Students==
al-Sa'di taught at least 35 students who went on to become imams, khateebs, judges, or teachers. Two of his most famous students were Sheikh Muhammad ibn Salih al-'Uthaymeen and Sheikh Abdullah Aqeel. al-Sa'di appointed al-'Uthaymeen to take over his role as the teacher and khateeb of the jami' mosque after his death.
==Written Works==
al-Sa'di' authored more than 40 written works in multiple fields including tafsir, fiqh, hadith, and 'aqeedah. Some of his works include:
*Taysir al-Kareem al-Rahman, a tafsir of the entire Qur'an
*Taysir al-Lateef al-Mannaan, a thematic tafsir of selected portions of the Qur'an
*Qawa'id al-Hisan li-Tafsir al-Qur'an, a work on the principles of tafsir
*al-Haqq al-Wadhih al-Mubeen fee Sharh Tawheed al-Anbiyaa w'al-Mursaleen, a work of 'aqeedah, which is an explanation of a portion of Nooniyah by ibn al-Qayyim
*al-Qawl al-Sadeed fee Maqasid al-Tawheed, an explanation of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahab's Kitab al-Tawheed
*al-Tawdheeh w'al-Bayan li-Shajarah al-Eemaan, a work of 'aqeedah
*Mukhtasir al-Usool al-Fiqh, a work on the principles of fiqh
*Bahjah al-Quloob al-Abrar, an explanation of 99 comprehensive hadith statements
*Manhaj al-Salikeen, a work of fiqh
==Illness and Death==
In 1950/1371AH, al-Sa'di began suffering from health problems related to blood pressure and Atherosclerosis. Upon hearing of his health problems, King Sa'ud sent two doctors via his personal jet to attend to sheikh al-Sa'di. The doctors recommended that he seek further treatment in Lebanon, where they accompanied him for a month-long stay in 1953/1373AH. During this time he recovered but was advised to adopt a less strenuous lifestyle. After returing to Unayzah, he resumed his regular work as an imam, teacher, khateeb and author. al-Sa'di passed away from the same set of health problems in 1956/1376AH.
==In the media==
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== References ==
Category:1889 births
Category:1956 deaths
Category:Islamic scholars
Category:Author
Category:Saudi Arabian people