{"id":59156,"date":"2025-01-08T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-08T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iumsonline.cloud\/2025\/01\/08\/dr-ali-al-qaradaghi-sheikh-sariya-al-rifai-a-scholar-of-reform-preaching-and-a-pious-servant-lost-by-the-islamic-nation\/"},"modified":"2025-01-08T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T00:00:00","slug":"dr-ali-al-qaradaghi-sheikh-sariya-al-rifai-a-scholar-of-reform-preaching-and-a-pious-servant-lost-by-the-islamic-nation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iumsonline.cloud\/en\/2025\/01\/08\/dr-ali-al-qaradaghi-sheikh-sariya-al-rifai-a-scholar-of-reform-preaching-and-a-pious-servant-lost-by-the-islamic-nation\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi: Sheikh Sariya Al-Rifai, a Scholar of Reform, Preaching, and a Pious Servant Lost by the Islamic Nation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi: Sheikh Sariya Al-Rifai, a Scholar of Reform, Preaching, and a Pious Servant Lost by the Islamic Nation<\/h3>\n

With heavy hearts, the Islamic nation bid farewell to Sheikh Sariya Abdul Karim Al-Rifai, a distinguished scholar and prominent preacher, who passed away on Monday, January 7, 2025, at the age of 77 in Istanbul, after a long battle with illness.<\/p>\n

A Life of Academic and Preaching Excellence<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Born into a scholarly family in Damascus, Sheikh Sariya Al-Rifai was mentored by his father, the renowned scholar Sheikh Abdul Karim Al-Rifai, founder of the Zayd Ibn Thabit Society<\/em>. Sheikh Sariya continued his journey of knowledge and preaching, earning a Master\u2019s degree in Islamic Studies from Al-Azhar University<\/strong> in 1977.<\/p>\n

He served as the imam and preacher at the Zayd Ibn Thabit Mosque in Damascus, enriching the field of Islamic preaching with his wisdom and reformative efforts.<\/p>\n

From Scholar to Advocate of the Syrian Revolution<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The oppressive Syrian regime forced Sheikh Al-Rifai to leave the country in 1980. However, he later returned to continue his academic and preaching work. When the Syrian revolution broke out in 2011, Sheikh Al-Rifai openly supported it and called for its success, leading him to go into exile once more.<\/p>\n

He played a vital role in organizing the famous Damascus Strike on May 29, 2012, following the Houla massacre, reaffirming his commitment to Islamic principles and the causes of freedom and dignity.<\/p>\n

Tributes from Scholars<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi<\/strong>, Secretary-General of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, expressed profound sorrow over the loss of Sheikh Al-Rifai, stating:<\/p>\n

“The Islamic nation has lost a devout scholar and one of the most prominent figures of Damascus and Syria. Sheikh Sariya Al-Rifai made significant contributions to preaching and reform, leaving a lasting impact on the field of Islamic scholarship both in Syria and beyond.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Al-Qaradaghi highlighted his strong ties to the Al-Rifai family, praising the legacy of his father, Sheikh Abdul Karim Al-Rifai, and his brother, Sheikh Osama, saying:
“This noble family has been a beacon of knowledge and preaching, and Sheikh Sariya left an indelible mark wherever he went.”<\/em><\/p>\n

The International Union of Muslim Scholars Mourns the Deceased<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In a statement issued by the union, Sheikh Al-Rifai\u2019s lifelong dedication to the service of Islam and Muslims was praised.<\/p>\n

The statement described him as:
“A model of the devout scholar and sincere preacher who remained steadfast in his mission, undeterred by challenges. He was a symbol of resilience and determination, and a luminary of the Islamic nation who lived defending truth and advocating for the causes of his community.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Prayers for the Deceased<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We pray that Allah grants Sheikh Sariya Abdul Karim Al-Rifai abundant mercy and admits him to the highest ranks of Paradise alongside the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous.<\/p>\n

Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him, we shall return.<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n