Habib Muhammad bin Alawi al-Aydarus, widely known as Habib Saad, was a Ba Alawi scholar and community leader born in Tarim in 1351 AH, corresponding to 1932. He grew up in a scholarly household under his father, Habib Alawi, and his mother, Sharifah Fatimah bint Hasan al-Junayd.
He studied with scholars in Tarim and elsewhere, including six years at the Ribat of Tarim under Habib Abdullah bin Umar al-Shatiri. Habib Umar bin Alawi al-Kaf was also among his teachers. In 1371 AH, corresponding to 1951, he travelled to Aden, where he combined work with further study.
After the socialist authorities restricted religious institutions in South Yemen, Habib Saad was among the scholars affected by the period’s repression and spent time in detention. He returned to Tarim in 1395 AH, corresponding to 1975, and became imam of Masjid al-Saqqaf.
In 1397 AH, or 1976, he reopened the historic Abu Murayyam school for Quran memorisation after it had been closed by the authorities. The school subsequently expanded through multiple branches around Tarim. He also helped restore longstanding religious gatherings that had been interrupted during the socialist period.
Habib Saad died on 8 Dhu al-Qadah 1432 AH, corresponding to 6 October 2011.
Sources
Muwasala, source biography: https://muwasala.org/2015/08/22/habib-sad-al-aydarus/