The Second Ameer: Sheikh Abdul Qadeem Zallum

Early Life and Family Background

His name is Sheikh Abdul Qadeem bin Yusuf bin Yunis bin Ibrahim Al Sheikh Zallum, and he was a renowned scholar. He was born in the city of Al-Khalil (Hebron) in 1342 AH (1924 CE). His family was known for the practice of Deen. His father was a Hafiz of the Qur’an and even during the last years of his life, he would be occupied with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an. His father was a teacher during the time of the Uthmani Khilafah (Caliphate).

His father’s paternal uncle, Abdul Ghaffar Yunis Zallum, was a Mufti in Al-Khalil during the time of the Uthmani Khilafah. The Zallum family is one of the families that are trustees of the Ibrahimi Mosque and thus, this family is one of the servants of Yaqoob (as). This family is entrusted with the responsibility of hoisting the Islamic flag at the Minbar on Fridays and various occasions.

The Uthmani Khilafah used to entrust the renowned families of Al-Khalil with the responsibility of taking care of the Ibrahimi Mosque and these families used to feel honour and pride in undertaking this responsibility.

Education and Early Career

The first fifteen years of the life of Sheikh Abdul Qadeem Zallum were spent in the city of Al-Khalil. He acquired the basic education from the Ibrahimi Madrassah of Al-Khalil and afterwards, his father sent him to Al-Azhar so that he may become an expert in Islamic jurisprudence. So, at the age of 15, he left for Al-Azhar in Cairo. It was 1939 CE (1361 AH) when he acquired his first degree from Al-Azhar - Shahadat al-Ahliya al-Ula (Highest degree). In 1947 CE (1366 AH) he obtained the degree of Al-Aliya Li Kulliyat al-Shari’ah from Al-Azhar and then in 1949 CE (1368 AH), he obtained Shahadat al-Alamiyyah and specialized in Judiciary which is equivalent to the Ph.D. of modern times.

He organized a group of Muslims during the Israel-Palestine war and left Egypt for Palestine for the purpose of Jihad. But on reaching there, he came to know that the war had been stopped and a ceasefire agreement had taken place. Therefore, his purpose of Jihad could not be met in Palestine. The Sheikh was held dearly in Al-Azhar University and was called ‘Mulk’ (King). He was always a prominent student. He enrolled in the occupation of teaching upon his return to Al-Khalil in 1949 CE. He was associated with the Madarassah of Bethlehem for two years. He then shifted to Al-Khalil in 1951 CE and became a teacher at Madrassah Usama bin Ma’aqiz.

Joining Hizb ut-Tahrir

In the year 1952 CE, Sheikh Abdul Qadeem Zallum had his interaction with Sheikh Taqiuddin an-Nabhani which gave way to continuous debates and arguments, with respect to the topic of a Hizb at Al-Quds; thus he used to travel constantly to this blessed city for this purpose. Sheikh Zallum joined the Hizb from the day the party started its work and in the year 1956, he became a part of the leadership of the Hizb. He was a great orator and people used to love him. On Fridays, he used to preach in the Ibrahimi Yusufiya Mosque and a great crowd would gather to listen to him. Then after Friday prayers, he used to preach in Ibrahimi Mosque where people would also gather to listen to him in great numbers. The Sheikh was nominated as a candidate in the election for House of Representatives in 1954. Similarly, he was a candidate in 1956 but the state rigged the elections and he was declared unsuccessful. He was arrested and was imprisoned in Al-Jaffer Al-Saharawi where he spent many years, before finally being released with the help of Allah (swt).

Service to the Party

May Allah (swt) have mercy on him; he was the right hand of the founding leader. He was an arrow in the quiver of the founder; he used to trust him for high profile expeditions. He never showed any hesitation and always preferred Da’wah over his family and luxuries of this temporary world. One day he is found in Turkey, the other day he is present in Iraq, the next day it was Egypt and then to Jordan and Lebanon, so on and so forth. Wherever he was demanded, he used to accompany the Ameer to speak the truth. The expedition of Iraq was a very crucial one and only a true daring man could undertake this responsibility. The Ameer bestowed him with this duty and he accepted the responsibility, under the supervision of the Ameer and fulfilled his obligation in a brilliant manner.

Leadership of Hizb ut-Tahrir

At the time of death of the founding leader, the duty of this Da’wah was rested upon his shoulders. He carried the burden of this struggle and the Da’wah progressed in leaps and bounds. The style of Da’wah became clearer, its area of action greatly widened that it reached Central Asia and South East Asia. The echo of this message was even heard in Europe as well.

During the time of this esteemed scholar, the Fitna of the Nakitheen (the faction which broke their oath) emerged. Some people were influenced by the whispers of the devils and took advantage of the Sheikh’s patience. These people committed a breach of oath; one night, they conspired to lead the party caravan astray and give a fatal blow to the party. It was only with the blessing of Allah (swt) and then with the insightful intellect and perseverance of Sheikh Abdul Qadeem Zallum that the Hizb was saved from any irreparable damage; rather the Hizb emerged from this crisis stronger and those conspirators achieved nothing but humiliation.

Final Years and Passing

This unwavering scholar continued to be the leader and flag bearer of Da’wah till the age of 80 when his intuition about his impending death made him take a decision about this work for which he spent two thirds of his life - 25 years in the capacity of a right hand of the Ameer and almost 25 years in the capacity of Ameer himself. He wanted a satisfactory fulfillment of his responsibility; therefore, he decided to resign from the leadership position and hold elections for the next Ameer which is exactly what had happened. On Monday, 14 Muharram 1424 AH (17 March 2003 CE), he himself resigned from the leadership and within a few days after the election of the new Ameer, his soul departed to the eternal world.

Thus, this great ocean of knowledge, the Ameer of Hizb ut-Tahrir, Sheikh Abdul Qadeem Zallum, met his Creator at the age of 80 on Tuesday night dated 27 Safar 1424 AH (29 April 2003 CE). Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’un. On his death, the number of people that came for condolence in Al-Khalil - Abu Gharbiya Al Sha’rawi was an unprecedented sight. People came from various cities and villages. Poets and writers wrote poetry and prose about his life. Condolence messages were received from all over the world on telephone and radio. Numerous condolence messages were received from Sudan, Kuwait, Europe, Indonesia, America, Jordan, Egypt, and other countries. At the same time, a huge crowd gathered in Beirut, Lebanon and Amman, Jordan.

Character and Qualities

The Sheikh (Rahimahu Allah) was a courageous and bold man when it came to the matter of Deen. He never cared for any reprimand in this regard. He was an extremely active person, who neither tired of his efforts nor despaired. He was an embodiment of disposition and high morals. He kept himself at a great distance from anything that was Haram. He was extremely tolerant, patient and gracious. His close friends mention that he used to stay awake at nights for worship and would weep while reciting the Ayat of Allah (swt). He was extremely steadfast and firm in Da’wah. He lived his life in obscurity, oppressive rulers relentlessly pursued him till the moment he died and left this temporary world. Only Allah (swt) can grant him his reward for his struggle. May Allah (swt) shower him with his countless blessings, Ameen.

Literary Works

The following are his books and booklets published by Hizb ut-Tahrir during his time:

1. Funds in the Khilafah (Caliphate) State
2. Addition to the Book: The Ruling System of Islam
3. Democracy is a Kufr System
4. Shari’ah Ruling regarding Cloning and Organ Transplant
5. Methodology of Hizb ut-Tahrir to Bring Change
6. Hizb ut-Tahrir
7. American Campaign to Destroy Islam
8. The Crusade Attack by George Bush on Muslims
9. The Crisis of the Stock Market and Related Islamic Ruling
10. The Clash of Civilizations is Inevitable