“O tranquil soul, return to your Lord, well‑pleased and pleasing. Enter among My servants, and enter My Paradise.”[Surat al‑Fajr: 27–30] With deep sorrow and profound grief, the International Islamic Fiqh Academy received the news of the passing of the esteemed Sheikh Muhammad Abduh Omar, who returned to his Lord on the morning of Tuesday, 10 Rajab 1447 AH, corresponding to 30 December 2025, after a blessed life of nearly eighty‑four years—years he devoted entirely to serving his religion, his country, and his ummah through knowledge, action, judiciary, preaching, and reform.
He—may God have mercy on him—was the last person I had the honour of bidding farewell to after the Academy’s 26th session in Doha last year, 2025. I was overjoyed to meet him, especially knowing the hardship and difficulty he endured to reach Doha. My joy was even greater when His Excellency, the President of the Academy, Sheikh Dr Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, honoured him with the Shield of Loyalty and Gratitude dedicated to the founding generation. I still recall trying not to believe his words, which sounded like a final farewell: “O Koutoub… this may be the last session I attend with you.” I hastened to reply with hope and optimism that the Academy would be delighted to meet him again at the upcoming session in Malaysia, God willing.
The late scholar, may God have mercy on him, was among the founding members of the Academy’s Council and has been the Republic of Yemen’s official representative since 19 November 1984. He never once missed participating in any of the Academy’s sessions since its establishment. His scholarly contributions exceeded fifteen rigorous research papers, and his participation in discussions was always deep, focused, and marked by scientific precision. He excelled at linking jurisprudential rulings and contemporary issues to the realities and circumstances of people’s lives, consistently emphasising the importance of considering changes over time and across places when formulating resolutions and recommendations.
He was also, may God have mercy on him, one of the foremost Shafi‘i scholars of Yemen, well‑versed in the principles of the Zaydi school there, combining firm scholarship, broad vision, and noble character. Throughout his career, he held several distinguished positions in his country, most notably serving as President of the Supreme Court in Shabwah Governorate and as Deputy Minister of Endowments and Guidance in the Republic of Yemen. He fulfilled his trust, carried out his duties, and was a model of the just judge and the practising scholar.
As the Academy mourns this eminent figure, it recalls with gratitude his sincere efforts in serving Islamic jurisprudence and his genuine contribution to shaping and refining the Academy’s resolutions and recommendations, which—by God’s grace—have become authoritative references for Islamic states, Muslim communities, institutions, and individuals within and beyond the Muslim world.
The Academy, its President, General Secretariat, members, experts, and staff, extend their heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the noble family of the deceased, to the scholars of Yemen, and to his students and admirers. We ask the Almighty Lord to envelop him in His vast mercy, forgive him, pardon him, grant him a spacious place in His Paradise, and gather him with the righteous predecessors of the Academy—among the prophets, the steadfastly truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. What excellent companions they are. We also pray that God grants patience, solace, and acceptance to his family and loved ones.
Indeed, we belong to God, and to Him we shall return.
Prof. Dr. Koutoub Moustapha Sano
Secretary‑General