Mr. Muhammad Al-Makki Al-Kattani

Sayyid Muhammad al-Makki bin Muhammad bin Jafar al-Kattani al-Hasani was the president of the Rabita al-Ulama (Association of Scholars), the Mufti of the Malikiyya, a member of the founding council of the Muslim World League. He was born in 1312 AH in the city of Fez, Morocco, where he was raised. Since his childhood, he lived a life of masculinity under his father's guidance; he mastered swimming, archery, horse riding, hunting, and sword fighting. He studied sciences under his father, and he also studied at Al-Qarawiyyin University in Fez. He left his country with his father and his brother, Sayyid Muhammad az-Zamzami, in 1325 AH due to the French colonization, and they headed to the Hijaz.

He moved between Makkah Mukarramah  and Madinah Munawwarah, spending many years studying under its scholars, receiving their permissions. Among them were Shaykh Ali al-Maliki, Shaykh Ali A'zam, Shaykh Umar Hamdan al-Mahrasi, Shaykh Abdul Baqi al-Hindi al-Ansari, and Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Shalabi at-Trablisi. He then moved to Damascus with his father and brother; in Damascus, he studied under its scholars. He became a close disciple of Shaykh Amin Suwayd and learned theology and Sufism from him, as well as the writings of Shaykh Muhyi al-Din Ibn Arabi and his sciences. After a while, he returned to Morocco with his family and joined his father in the jihad against the French.

When his father passed away in the city of Fez in 1345 AH, he returned to Damascus; he settled there, dedicating his life to teaching and guiding. He was known for his pleasant wit and sharp intelligence and acumen. Scholars of his time attested that he was the authority on Maliki jurisprudence and Sufism, and on the discourse of the Sufis. He disliked innovation, loved the Sunnah, and respected Allah's boundaries. He was often tearful, and his empathy was profound. Despite his aura of reverence, he was naturally likable. He suffered from bodily pains, which he kept hidden from those close to him and bore patiently. His gatherings were gatherings of dignity, knowledge, and remembrance.

He passed away in Damascus after the Maghrib prayer on Monday, 16th of Dhu al-Qa'dah in 1393 AH / December 10, 1973, after undergoing surgery at Dar al-Shifa Hospital. The funeral prayer was held for him in the Umayyad Mosque the following day, and he was buried in his family's cemetery at Bab al-Saghir as the sun set, in a grand procession. Eulogies were given at his grave by scholars; among the speakers were Shaykh Hussein Khattab, and Shaykh Abdul Raouf Abu Touq.