the 500 most influential muslims - The Royal Islamic Strategic ...

Sheikh Bouti is the leading Islamic scholar in Syria.
He is the head of the Theology Department in the
faculty of Islamic Law at Damascus University. He
preaches very often and is highly respected by many
of the leading scholars in the Muslim world.
Traditionalist Scholar
Bouti is the scholar's scholar, and the bulk of his
influence comes from his position of respect and authority among the leading thinkers
in Islam today. Bouti has significant influence from his position as a central figure in the
Muslim scholarly establishment, writing close to 50 books that have garnered considerable
critical acclaim.
Passionate Advocate of Madhabs
Bouti is a keen supporter of madhabs (traditional Islamic schools of law), and is one of the
leading critics of the significant movement to abandon these schools. He is particularly
influential because this movement has lead to groups in which extremist behavior is
condoned as Islamic. Bouti has referred to the abandonment of madhabs as the ‘most
dangerous bid'a [innovation] threatening the Islamic sharia'. His view is critical because
he says it gives those without knowledge the ability to decide what is and is not Islamic.
A Critic of Salafism
Bouti has very important sway over the theological and legal merits of Salafism versus
traditional Islam. He has held important debates with leading Salafi scholars and has
performed well, highlighting to his audience the importance of knowledge within Islam.
In one of his most noteworthy books on this issue—Jihad in Islam: How to Understand
and Practice it—Bouti shows how a poor understanding of the term jihad has led to its
abuse by both Muslims and non-Muslims. His view is that those who are unaware of the
basis of fiqh have manipulated the idea of jihad for their own benefit, underlining that
jihad must be conducted, according to the basis of Islamic fiqh.
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sheikh dr M sa'id raMadan al bouti
Leading Islamic Scholar in Syria
Country: Syria
Date of Birth: 1929
Source of Influence: Scholarly
Influence: Leading scholar for
18.5 million Syrian Muslims
School of Thought: Traditional
Sunni