The Sunnah and Its Role in Islamic Legislation

Dr Mustafa As-Siba'ee was born in 1915 in the city of Hams, Damascus. He memorized the Quran at a very young age. His primary and secondary studies were completed in the Masudiyyah School. He always excelled in his studies and was known for his intelligence and academic brilliance. He studied the Islamic Sciences with his father Shaykh Hasani Sibai and in circles with great scholars and jurists of Hams. His teachers included Shaykh Tahir Al-Atasi (Mufti of Hams at the time), Shaykh Zahid Al-Atasi, Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yasin, Shaykh Anis Kalalib and others. From the young age of eighteen he used to deliver the Friday khutbahs in the absence of his father. In 1933, he went to Egypt and enrolled at Al-Azhar University to study fiqh. Upon completing his studies of fiqh, he enrolled at the Usul al-Deen Faculty of Al-Azhar and excelled in his studies. In 1949, he completed his PhD on the theme of 'The Position of Sunnah in Legislation'. In 1950 he was appointed Professor of Law at the University of Damascus and in 1955, he established the Faculty of Shariah at the same university. Dr Siba'i was elected to the Syrian Parliament from 1949-1954. He passed away in 1964.