Born in 541 near Nablus, a descendant of `Umar b. al-Khattab (r). His father, Ahmad al-Quddana, was a great wali. He was one of the greatest scholars, Hanbali faqih and hafizh of hadith. He studied fiqh with Sheikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (among others) and was afiliated to his path. [more >>] Later returned he to Baghdad where he wrote his grand work al-Mughni on Hanbali fiqh. At the age of 43, he fought under Salahuddin al-Ayubi taking back Jerusalem from the Crusaders. [hts, ZaSh]

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Muwaffiq Al-Din Abu Muhammad `Abd Allah bin Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Qudama Al-Maqdisi Al-Hanbali, a faqih and Sheik Al-Islam. Born in 541 AH during the month of Sha`ban, near Nablus in the vicinity of Quds. During that time, the Crusaders had taken control of Quds so Ibn Qudamah's family emigrated to Damascus, where they originally settled near Bab Al-Sharqi (the eastern gate of the city) and after two years moved to Qasyoun mountain in an area now known as Muhya Din, but originally name Salihiya after the salihin of Bani Qudamah that lived there. During that time Al-Muwaffiq had been memorizing Qur'an, learning basic knowledge from his father, and learning from the mashayikh of Damascus.

He then went to Baghdad where he read Mukhtasr Al-Khiraqi with Sheikh `Abd Al-Qadir Al-Jaylani (Allah be well pleased with him); it was a book he had already memorized in Damascus, and this was an intensive and precise reading. Sheikh `Abd Al-Qadir then passed away, so Al-Muwaffiq took from a few others sheikhs and then returned to Damascus. There he began to teach and author works in various disciplines.

He passed away on `Eid Al-Fitr 620 AH, and was buried above the Jami`a Al-Hanabilah in Salihiya. May Allah have mercy upon him.

[Biographies taken from Maktabat Dar Al-Bayan edition of Al-Raud Al-Murbi. I have added things from memory. They are not intended to be all inclusive by any means.

Regarding Ibn Quddamah (may Allah be well pleased with him), he did   mention the opinions from virtually all known mathahib of Ahl Al-Sunna as well as the various opinions related from the Imam (may Allah be well   pleased with him). From my reading of Al-Mughni , which I admit is   limited to a dozen or so issues, Ibn Quddamah always stays within the range of opinions related from the Imam. In many cases, the opinions of   the Imam match up to the opinions of the other mathahib, so Ibn Quddamah   would have a very easy time agreeing with the other imams without going   outside of the Imam's positions. And Allah knows best.

Al-Shaikh al-Imam Muwaffaqu 'd-din 'Abdu'llah ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad Qudama al-Maqdisi al-Hanbali is mentioned in Neclaces of gems among "Scholarly Shaikhs who became affiliated with Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir."

It was Shaikh Shamsu 'd-din 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn 'Umar al-Maqdisi who said:

"I once heard my paternal uncle, Shaikh Muwaffaqu 'd-din, say: 'I and al-Hafiz 'Abd al-Ghani received the patched cloak [khirqa] from the hand of the Shaikh al-Islam, 'Abd al-Qadir, both of us at the very same time. We studied jurisprudence [fiqh] under him, listened to his wise advice, and derived great benefit from his fellowship, although we only knew him for the last fifty nights of his life.

It was Shaikh Muwaffaq ad-din ibn Qudama al-Maqdisi (may Allah the Exalted bestow His mercy upon him) who said:

"Our Shaikh Muhyi 'd-din 'Abd al-Qadir (may Allah be well pleased with him) was of slender build, of medium height, and broad in the chest. He had a full beard, which was brown throughout its length, and his eyebrows were joined, though almost imperceptibly. He was endowed with a clearly audible voice, a dignified bearing, a noble character, and a total comprehension. May Allah be well pleased with him."

Al-Imaam Ibn Qudaamah: He is Shaykh-ul Islaam Muwaffaq-ud Deen Abu Muhammad Abdullaah Ibn Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Qudaamah Ibn                   Miqdaam Ibn Nasr Al-Maqdisee Al-Jamaa'ilee.

Hewas born in Nablis - Palestine in Sha'baan 541 AH.

He memorised the Qur'aan at an early age, studied its sciences and was known to have a nice hand-writing.

He left with his cousin, Al-Hafidh Abdul-Ganee, for Baghdad in 561 AH and caught up with Shaykh Abdul-Qaadir in his final days (i.e. before he passed away). They stayed at his school, learning from him as well as from other scholars and student of knowledge of that time such as
- Ibn Al-Jawze
- Hibat-ullaah Ibn Al-Hasan Ad-Daqaaq
- Abi'l Fath Ibn Al-Battee
- Abi Zur'ah Ibn Taahir
- Yahya Ibn Thaabit
- Khadeejah An-Nahrawaaniyah and others.

"The Imaam of Al-Hanaabilah in Damascus Mosque, he was a trust worthy, noble figure, extremely generous, of a clean character, a cautious worshipper, follower of the Salaf methodology, emitting light (of knowledge and piety) and repectful. One may benefit from his sighting before even hearing his speech!

He died on Saturday, the Day of Eed-ul Fitr in 620 AH. May Allaah, subhanahu wata'aala, accepts him in His vast mercy, benefit us from his knowledge and gather us with his likes on the Day of Judgement, Aameen.