Sheikh Al-Bouti is the leading Islamic scholar in Syria. He is a retired Dean and current professor at the College of Islamic Law at Damascus University. Al Bouti preaches very often and is highly respected by many of the leading scholars in the Muslim world.
Traditionalist Scholar
Al-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. Al-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 also is vocal about 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 Islamic fiqh (jurisprudence).
Prolific Writer
Sheikh Al-Bouti has made an impact on the Muslim World, in particular through his scholarly outreach. He writes for news publications and journals, and has developed a reputation for his ability to address and respond to queries regarding Islamic jurisprudence, and personal issues.
<em>In this undated photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Sheikh Mohammad Said Ramadan al-Buti, an 84-year-old cleric known to all Syrians as a religious scholar, speaks at a press conference. (AP Photo/SANA)</em> ...and more »
<em>In this undated photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Sheikh Mohammad Said Ramadan al-Buti, an 84-year-old cleric known to all Syrians as a religious scholar, speaks at a press conference. (AP Photo/SANA)</em> ...and more »
Syria, Video, Assad Regime, Assef Shawkat, Sheikh Mohammad Said Ramadan Al-Buti, Wael Al-Halqi, Mohammed Al-Shaar, Syria Assassination Attempts, Syria Assassinations, Syria Conflict, Syria War, World News. BEIRUT -- Syrian opposition forces have ...
<em>In this undated photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Sheikh Mohammad Said Ramadan al-Buti, an 84-year-old cleric known to all Syrians as a religious scholar, speaks at a press conference. (AP Photo/SANA)</em> ...and more »
Last month, a suicide bomb killed top Sunni Muslim preacher Sheikh Mohammad Said Ramadan al-Buti in a Damascus mosque. On July 18, a bomb inside a high-level crisis meeting in Damascus killed top security officials, including the defense minister.
Q: How do you see the killing of Sheikh Ramadan Bouti? ... Whilst this is speculation, the regime has an interest in Buti's killing; perhaps it wants to convince the international community that there really are extremists in their midst who are now in ...
Al-Bouti denounced the protests and called on protesters not to be driven by anonymous calls to incite sedition and chaos in Syria.
Anti-government scholars have critics him for not overtly taking their side.
He has resolutely refused to leave Syria.
Citizen of: Syria
Birth: 1 January 1929 (Age: 84)
Source of Influence: Scholarly
Influence: Leading scholar for 20.9 million Syrian Muslims
School of Thought: Traditional Sunni