Yemeni Scholar Sheikh Abdul Majeed al-Zindani Dies at 82

Sheikh Abdul Majeed al-Zindani, a prominent Yemeni scholar and former member of Yemen's Presidential Council, passed away on Sunday at the age of 82 in an Istanbul hospital. The Yemeni presidency praised al-Zindani for his early role in opposing the Imamate system and his contributions to Islamic da'wah and Prophetic Sunnah.

Al-Zindani had a long history of involvement in political work in Yemen. He served as the head of the Association of Yemeni Scholars and was known for his religious and political views. In 2004, the United States placed al-Zindani on a wanted list on charges of supporting terrorism, which he denied.

Following the Houthi coup in Yemen in 2014, al-Zindani rejected the group's takeover and lived in Saudi Arabia for several years before moving to Turkey in 2020. He was a proponent of the science of faith and miracles, and founded the Al-Iman University for Sharia Sciences in Yemen.

Why this matters: The passing of Sheikh Abdul Majeed al-Zindani marks the loss of an influential figure in Yemen's religious and political landscape. His legacy, spanning decades of involvement in Islamic scholarship and opposition to the Imamate system, leaves a significant impact on the country's history.

Al-Zindani authored several books during his lifetime, including 'The Rooting of the Scientific Miracle' and 'The Science of Faith'. The Yemeni presidency acknowledged his contributions, stating, "Sheikh al-Zindani played a prominent role in opposing the Imamate system and had significant contributions in the fields of Islamic da'wah and Prophetic Sunnah."

Key Takeaways

• Prominent Yemeni scholar Sheikh Abdul Majeed al-Zindani passed away at 82 in Istanbul.
• Al-Zindani opposed the Imamate system and contributed to Islamic scholarship in Yemen.
• He was a member of Yemen's Presidential Council and founded Al-Iman University.
• The U.S. placed al-Zindani on a terrorism watch list in 2004, which he denied.
• Al-Zindani's death marks the loss of an influential figure in Yemen's religious and political landscape.