Muhammad Hasan Hitou Passes Away: Syrian Scholar and Founder of STAI Imam Syafii Cianjur
The Islamic world has lost another of its finest figures. Professor Dr. Syeikh Muhammad Hasan Hitou, a charismatic scholar known as Syaikhul Ushuliyyin (Teacher of Legal Methodology), passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. This news brings deep sorrow to his thousands of students spread from Damascus, Kuwait, to various Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia.
He was more than just an academic; he was a living bridge connecting classical Islamic scholarship (turats) with the challenges of the modern world.
Born in Damascus, Syria, in 1943 (1362 H), Muhammad Hasan Hitou grew up in a family that highly valued knowledge. Interestingly, in his youth, he excelled in science and mathematics. He even planned to continue his studies in Germany to study rocket and satellite technology.
The name Syeikh Hasan Hitou is well-known among students and academics in Indonesia. He was the central figure behind the establishment of the Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam (STAI) Imam Syafii in Cianjur, West Java. Through this institution, he sought to produce ulama (scholars) who not only memorized texts but also understood the methodology (ushul) in ijtihad (independent reasoning).
His book, entitled Al-Wajiz fi Ushul al-Tasyri’ al-Islami, became a required text in various universities and Ma’had Aly (Islamic higher education institutions) in Indonesia due to its ability to simplify the complex logic of ushul fikih (Islamic jurisprudence) into clear narratives.
His greatest contribution was the establishment of STAI Imam Syafii in Cianjur and the direct transmission of knowledge to many lecturers and young scholars in Indonesia.
He was a leading expert in the fields of Ushul Fikih (Islamic legal methodology), Fikih Mazhab Syafi’i (Shafi’i school of thought), Akidah Asy’ariyyah (Ash’ari theology), and Ilmu Hadis (Hadith studies).
His departure leaves a large void in the treasury of Islamic knowledge, but his books will continue to be a guiding light for future generations of students.
“His life was a life full of exemplary qualities. He lived with knowledge throughout his life. And when he returned, he left behind something that has brought many benefits. He lived with full dedication. He passed away in the holy month. May Allah Almighty have mercy on Sheikh Hasan Hitou as He has mercy on His beloved ones. We all belong to Allah. And, sooner or later, we will all return to Him.” (I-2)