Shaykh Rabi’ said in his book “Reminding the Alert of the Biographies of Their Predecessors, the Former and Latter Memorizers of Hadith”:

Shaykh Muqbil al-Wadi’i, died (1422 AH): He is the erudite scholar, the Muhaddith (Hadith expert), the Mujahid, and the renewer of the Salafi da’wah in Yemen, Shaykh Muqbil bin Hadi bin Muqbil bin Qa’idah al-Hamdani al-Wadi’i from the Al-Rashid tribe—may Allah have mercy on him.

He was a drawn sword against the people of falsehood, including the Rafidah (Shia), communists, Sufis, and deviant parties.

He established the Salafi da’wah in Yemen in the best possible manner and founded a Salafi educational institute in Dammaj called Dar al-Hadith, to which students of knowledge flocked from all over Yemen, and indeed from many Arab, Islamic, European, and American countries.

Scholars graduated at his hands who went on to establish schools in numerous regions of Yemen, through whom Allah brought great benefit, and the Salafi da’wah among them is strong.

Their schools represent the schools of the Pious Predecessors (Salaf) in integrity, chastity, and asceticism regarding worldly matters, relying—they and their numerous students—upon Allah alone.

They do not tarnish themselves or their hands by taking funds from partisan organizations because they are fully aware of the agendas of these organizations, among which are: diverting whoever they can away from the methodology of the Salaf—the People of Hadith and Sunnah—and tying them to the leaders of misguided parties and their methodologies.

The one who established this excellent precedent for them was that lofty mountain of integrity, chastity, and asceticism: Shaykh Muqbil bin Hadi al-Wadi’i, who reminds us of the biography of the righteous Salaf, especially Imam Ahmad—may Allah have mercy on him.

His Pursuit of Knowledge

He sought knowledge in Yemen, then at the Makkah Haram Institute, and then at the Islamic University [of Madinah], where he studied regularly in the Faculty of Usul al-Din (Foundations of Religion) and externally in the Faculty of Sharia. He then continued his studies there until he earned his Master’s degree (Al-Shahadah al-‘Alamiyyah). Following that, he devoted himself to the books of the Sunnah, Tafsir (Quranic exegesis, and Rijal (narrator criticism), drinking deeply from them and drawing from them to produce his valuable authored works—may Allah have mercy on him.

His Teachers:

Shaykh Muqbil studied under numerous teachers across various schools and diverse disciplines. Among his teachers from the first phase of his life (the school of Shiism) were:

1. Abu al-Husain Majd al-Din al-Mu’ayyidi: Of him, the Shaykh said: “He is the most knowledgeable Shia in Yemen and is considered the standard-bearer of the Hadiyah school of thought.” The Shaykh benefited greatly from him in grammar in Najran.
2. Isma’il Hatbah
3. Muhammad bin Hasan al-Mutam-yiz
4. Qasim bin Yahya Shuwayl

His Other Teachers:

1. The Erudite Scholar and Muhaddith Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani—may Allah have mercy on him. He had departed from the Islamic University before the Shaykh entered it, but he used to visit the students of knowledge in Madinah and advise them. Sometimes he would find that some of them had joined the Takfiri group, so he would engage in intense discussions with them until Allah guided them through his hands. The Shaykh used to attend his special sessions for students of knowledge on “Rules of Hadith” rather than his general lectures, because the lecturer would tailor his level to the attendees, while [at other times] the Shaykh would head straight to the library.
2. The Erudite Faqih (and Muhaddith) Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz—may Allah have mercy on him. The Shaykh used to attend his lessons in Sahih Muslim at the Prophet’s Mosque.
3. Muhammad bin Abdullah al-Somali—may Allah have mercy on him. The Shaykh studied under him for seven months or more and benefited greatly from him in the science of Hadith and knowledge of the narrators of the Two Sheikhs (al-Bukhari and Muslim). The Shaykh said about him: “Perhaps his likes are rare in knowing the narrators of the Two Sheikhs, or perhaps he has no equal.” End quote.
4. Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Hamid: The Shaykh studied Al-Tuhfah al-Suniyyah under him. He used to marvel at the Shaykh’s answers and objections. Once, the discussion became so extensive that the students dispersed, so he said to the Shaykh: “And you, you may leave too.”
5. Hammad bin Muhammad al-Ansari: One of his teachers during his postgraduate studies.
6. Yahya bin Uthman al-Pakistani: One of his teachers in the Makkah Haram, where he studied Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and Tafsir Ibn Kathir under him.
7. Abdul Aziz bin Rashid al-Najdi: One of his teachers in the Makkah Haram. The Shaykh said about him: “He had a strong grasp of the science of Hadith and detested blind following (taqlid). He was an alumnus of Al-Azhar and was very strict regarding the grading of Hadith as weak (tadh’if), to the extent that he authored ‘Taysir al-Wahyayn fi al-Iqtisar ala al-Quran wa al-Sahihayn’. He used to say—may Allah have mercy on him—’Authentic Hadiths found outside of the Two Sahihs can be counted on one’s fingers.’ His statement remained in my mind as something objectionable until I resolved to author ‘Al-Sahih al-Musnad mimma laysa fi al-Sahihayn’ (The Authentic Chains of What is Not in the Two Sahihs), through which I gained even greater certainty regarding the falsehood of his statement.” The Shaykh had once objected to him, and he replied: “This is for the general public; as for you, even if you were to read the Torah and the Gospel, I would not forbid you.”
8. Judge Yahya al-Ashwal, resident of Ma’mar: The Shaykh studied Subul al-Salam and whatever else he requested under him.
9. Abdul Razzaq al-Shahadhi al-Mahwaiti: He taught the Shaykh whatever he requested.
10. Muhammad al-Sabil: The Shaykh studied the science of inheritance (Fara’id) under him.
11. Muhammad al-Amin al-Misri—may Allah have mercy on him: The Shaykh benefited from him in the science of Hadith, and he was one of his teachers in postgraduate studies.
12. Sayyid Muhammad al-Hakim al-Misri, the defender and supervisor of his Master’s thesis: The Shaykh studied Subul al-Salam under him, and he was one of his teachers in the Faculty of Da’wah.
13. Mahmud Abdul Wahhab Fayid: One of his teachers in the Faculty of Da’wah, who taught them Tafsir. The Shaykh described him as: “Strong and precise (muhaqqaq).”
14. Abdul Aziz al-Sabil: One of his teachers at the Makkah Haram Institute.
15. Badi’ al-Din al-Rashidi: The Shaykh said of him: “He used to detest blind following (taqlid).”
16. Muhammad Taqi al-Din al-Hilali
17. Taha al-Zayni
18. Abdul Azim Fayyad
19. Abdul Muhsin al-Abbad: The Shaykh learned from him by asking questions.
20. Sheikh Muhammad al-Amin al-Shinqiti: The Shaykh learned from him by asking questions and presenting complex issues. The Shaykh said: “He was one of the signs of Allah in memorization; my eyes have never seen his like. He would dictate benefits seamlessly without stuttering or hesitation.” He had advised the Shaykh to attend his regular lessons, but the Shaykh preferred sticking to books and quiet reading.

The Shaykh [Muqbil] says: “However, most of my benefit came from books, so let those present inform those who are absent.” End quote.

His Authored Works:

The Shaykh authored works across various diverse fields and branching subjects. The following are those that have been published:

(A) In Tafsir (Quranic Exegesis):

1. Verification and Takhrij (grading) of two volumes of “Tafsir Ibn Kathir” up to Surah al-Ma’idah; the remainder was completed by his students.
2. Al-Sahih al-Musnad min Asbab al-Nuzul (The Authentic Chains regarding the Occasions of Revelation).

(B) In ‘Aqidah (Creed):

1. Al-Shafa’ah (Intercession).
2. Al-Jami’ al-Sahih fi al-Qadar (The Authentic Compendium Concerning Divine Decree).
3. Al-Sahih al-Musnad min Dala’il al-Nubuwwah (The Authentic Chains concerning the Proofs of Prophethood).
4. Sa’qat al-Zilzal li-Nasf Abatil al-Rafd wa al-I’tizal (The Thunderclap to Obliterate the Falsehoods of Rafd and Mu’tazilism).
5. Al-Suyuf al-Batirah li-Ilhad al-Shuyu’iyyah al-Kafirah (The Sharp Swords against the Atheism of Disbelieving Communism).
6. Riyad al-Jannah fi al-Radd ‘ala A’da’ al-Sunnah (The Gardens of Paradise in Refutation of the Enemies of the Sunnah).
7. Al-Tali’ah fi al-Radd ‘ala Ghulat al-Shi’ah (The Vanguard in Refutation of the Extremist Shia).
8. Bahth hawla al-Qubbah al-Mabniyyah ‘ala Qabr Rasul Allah -sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam- (A Research Study Concerning the Dome Built over the Grave of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
9. Al-Ilhad al-Khumayni fi Ard al-Haramayn (Khumaynite Atheism in the Land of the Two Sanctuaries).
10. Fatwa fi al-Wahdah ma’a al-Shuyu’iyyin (A Legal Verdict Concerning Unity with the Communists).
11. Irshad Dhawi al-Fatan li-Ib’ad Ghulat al-Rawafid min al-Yaman (Guiding the Intelligent to Keep Extremist Rawafid Away from Yemen), being a marginal note on Al-Risalah al-Wazi’ah lil-Mu’tadin by Yahya bin Hamzah.
12. Ruddud Ahl al-Thelm ‘ala al-Ta’anin fi Hadith al-Sihr (The Refutations of the People of Knowledge against those who Impugn the Hadith of Magic).
13. Al-Makhraj min al-Fitnah (The Way Out of the Trial) (1).
14. Hadihi Da’watuna wa ‘Aqidatuna (This is Our Call and Our Creed).
15. Idah al-Maqal fi Asbab al-Zilzal (Clarifying Speech Regarding the Causes of Earthquakes).

(C) In Hadith and Its Terminology:

1. Al-Sahih al-Musnad mimma laysa fi al-Sahihayn (The Authentic Chains of What is Not in the Two Sahihs) in two volumes, crafted under his direct supervision like the work of a master craftsman for a beloved pursuit. He subsequently arranged it according to jurisprudential chapters in six volumes, entitling it Al-Jami’ al-Sahih mimma laysa fi al-Sahihayn.
2. Tatabu’ Awham al-Hakim fi al-Mustadrak allati lam yunabbih ‘alayha al-Dhahabi (Tracing the Errors of Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak that Al-Dhahabi Did Not Point Out), in five volumes alongside Al-Mustadrak.
3. Tahqiq wa Dirasah al-Ilzamat wa al-Tatabu’ lil-Daraqutni (Verification and Study of Al-Ilzamat wa al-Tatabu’ by Al-Daraqutni).
4. Tarajim Rijal al-Hakim alladhina laysu min Rijal Tahdhib al-Tahdhib (Biographical Notices of the Narrators of Al-Hakim Who Are Not Among the Narrators of Tahdhib al-Tahdhib), in two volumes.
5. Tarajim Rijal al-Daraqutni alladhina laysu fi Tahdhib al-Tahdhib wa la Rijal al-Hakim (Biographical Notices of the Narrators of Al-Daraqutni Who Are Not in Tahdhib al-Tahdhib nor Among the Narrators of Al-Hakim), co-authored with some of his students.
6. Nashr al-Sahifah fi Dhikr al-Sahih min Aqwal A’immat al-Jarh wa al-Ta’dil fi Abi Hanifah (Disseminating the Page Regarding the Authentic Statements of the Imams of Jarh and Ta’dil Concerning Abu Hanifah).
7. Al-Muqtarah fi Ajwibat As’ilat al-Mustalah (The Proposed Answers to Questions on Hadith Terminology).

(D) In the Jurisprudence of the Sunnah Based on Prophetic Hadiths:

1. Al-Jami’ al-Sahih mimma laysa fi al-Sahihayn: He followed the methodology of the Imam of this craft, Imam al-Bukhari—may Allah have mercy on him—in his arrangement and chapter headings within his Sahih.
2. Al-Jam’ bayna al-Salatayn fi al-Safar (Combining Two Prayers During Travel).
3. Shar’iyyat al-Salah fi al-Ni’al (The Legality of Praying While Wearing Sandals).
4. Tuhfat al-Shabab al-Rabbani fi al-Radd ‘ala al-Imam Muhammad bin ‘Ali al-Shawkani fi Shan al-Istimna’ (The Gift to the Lordly Youth in Refuting Imam Muhammad bin ‘Ali al-Shawkani Regarding Masturbation).
5. Tahrim al-Khadab bi-al-Sawad (The Prohibition of Dyeing Hair Black).

(E) Miscellaneous Works:

1. Gharat al-Ashritah ‘ala Ahl al-Jahl wa al-Safsatah (The Raid of Audio Cassettes on the People of Ignorance and Sophistry), in two volumes.
2. Qam’ al-Mu’anid wa Zajr al-Haqid al-Hasid (Subduing the Obstinate and Rebuking the Spiteful, Envious One).
3. Tuhfat al-Mujib ‘ala As’ilat al-Hadir wa al-Gharib (The Gift of the Responding One to the Questions of the Present and the Absent).
4. Ijabat al-Sail ‘an Ahamm al-Masa’il (Answering the Inquirer Concerning the Most Important Issues).
5. Al-Musara’ah (Wrestling).
6. Al-Fawakih al-Janiyyah fi al-Muhadarat wa al-Khutab al-Saniyyah (The Plucked Fruits Concerning Exalted Lectures and Sermons).
7. Tahrim Taswir Dhawat al-Arwah (The Prohibition of Depicting Living Beings).
8. Iqamat al-Burhan ‘ala Dalalat ‘Abd al-Rahim al-Tahkan (Establishing the Proof Concerning the Deviations of Abdul Rahim al-Tahkan).
9. Al-Qawl al-Amin fi Bayyan Fada’ih al-Mudhadhdhibin (The Trustworthy Statement in Exposing the Scandals of the Waverers).
10. Qurrat al-‘Ayn bi-Ajwibat al-‘Alabi wa Sahib al-‘Udayn (The Refreshment of the Eye via the Answers to Al-‘Alabi and the Owner of Al-‘Udayn).
11. Tarjamah Abi ‘Abd al-Rahman Muqbil bin Hadi al-Wadi’i (The Biography of Abu Abd al-Rahman Muqbil bin Hadi al-Wadi’i).
12. Al-Ba’ith ‘ala Sharh al-Hawadith (The Motivator for Explaining Contemporary Events).
13. Dhamm al-Mas’alah (Condemning Begging / Asking of People).
14. Maqtal al-Shaykh Jamil al-Rahman al-Afghani (The Killing of Shaykh Jamil al-Rahman al-Afghani).
15. Fada’ih wa Nasa’ih (Scandals and Counsels).
16. Al-Burkan li-Nasf Jami’at al-Iman wa Ma’ahu al-Radd ‘ala Yusuf bin ‘Abd Allah al-Qaradawi (The Volcano for Obliterating Jami’at al-Iman, accompanied by a refutation of Yusuf bin Abdullah al-Qaradawi).
17. Ritha’ al-Shaykh ‘Abd al-Aziz bin Baz -rahimahullah- (Elegy for Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Baz—may Allah have mercy on him).

Shaykh Rabi’ says: I obtained this information concerning Shaykh Muqbil from the book (Al-Ibhaj bi-Tarjamat al-‘Allamah al-Muhaddith Abi ‘Abd al-Rahman Muqbil bin Hadi al-Wadi’i) authored by Abu Ibrahim Hamid bin Qa’id bin Ali al-‘Atmi.

I (Shaykh Rabi’) say: I have known this man for his truthfulness, sincerity, chastity, asceticism regarding worldly matters, sound creed, upright Salafi methodology, and readiness to return to the truth whether it comes from a young person or an elder. Allah has blessed his call, and people have embraced it. Consequently, both he and his students have left profound marks upon the people of Yemen—something attested to by every person of intellect, religion, and fairness.