The Life and Philosophy of Fadel Mahmoud Fattani
Fadel Mahmoud Fattani possessed a unique analytical view of life. He believed that a person should not live solely for themselves, but must focus on self-development through knowledge, faith, and financial capability to support those in need, both financially and emotionally. This belief fueled his dedication to helping the poor with money, food, and kind words.

As the eldest son of Sheikh Mahmoud Salih Fattani and the eldest child of his mother, Aminah Mohammednour Fattani, Fadel was the first grandchild of Sheikh Mohammednour Fattani's eldest daughter. He was thus showered with affection and care from his parents and his maternal grandfather. His grandfather was fond of calling him Fadel (meaning "virtuous"), often inquired about his presence in his majlis (gathering), and invited him to share meals with him and his own children, delighting in watching him play among his peers.

Fadel Mahmoud Fattani was born in Mecca in the year 1939/1940 (1358 AH) in the large Fattani family house in Al-Qashashiyyah district, near Al-Masjid Al-Haram (the Grand Mosque), amidst six other families. His father, Mahmoud Salih Fattani, enrolled him in Al-Falah Elementary School, where he earned a primary certificate. At the time, due to the high quality of education, this qualification was a stepping stone to employment. Fadel continued to the intermediate academic level, but eventually decided to seek employment to achieve the social and financial status he desired, seeing it as a way to fulfill his purpose in life.

Career and Financial Acumen
Fadel took a financial position at the Ministry of Finance branch in Jeddah. He quickly rose through the ranks, as if racing against time to achieve financial independence. He lived in Mecca but worked in Jeddah, commuting daily with colleagues, paying them from his salary for the ride. Recognizing an opportunity, he soon purchased a car to transport his co-workers to and from Jeddah for a monthly fee, covering his car expenses and boosting his income—a prime example of the ambition shared by many young men of that era. He justified his break from formal education by his material need and desire to build his future life.

Regarding culture and practical knowledge, he had a distinct perspective. He often stated that while one needs education, it's entirely possible to cultivate oneself through independent reading, citing the great Egyptian author Abbas Mahmoud Al-Aqqad, who, despite lacking a high university degree, achieved literary, scientific, and historical fame through self-education. Following this philosophy, Fadel diligently read literature and scholarly books after returning from his work in Jeddah. In the year 1957/1958 (1377 AH), his work transferred, and he moved to the Ministry of Finance in Riyadh to begin his new role. There, he joined a communal living group with his cousin Abdullah Hassan Fattani and other colleagues, sharing monthly financial costs.

In 1961/1962 (1381 AH), Fadel returned to Mecca, having secured a higher-ranking position as a tax and income investigator at the Zakat and Income Department. With his higher salary, which he was careful to save, he was able to buy a plot of land in the Al-Aziziyah district. Utilizing government real estate loans available to citizens, and supplementing with his own funds, he built a four-story house, renting out the apartments for additional financial support.

His perspective on career progress was notable: he observed young people spending years pursuing degrees before seeking employment, and he preferred to race time by working early to secure better income and a happy life sooner. Later, seeking a higher-level position, Fadel joined Umm Al-Qura University as an employee in the financial administration with a higher rank. He also indulged his hobby of buying and selling real estate for profit, which led him to build another apartment building in Al-Aziziyah near the university.

Virtues and Legacy
Fadel was known for his admirable and positive habits, including his economic and healthy routines. He ensured he slept early and attended dawn prayers at the Grand Mosque. A key virtue was his meticulous dedication to paying his Zakat (obligatory charity) on his properties and eligible wealth. Throughout Ramadan, he kept his gathering room open after Tarawih prayers to receive poor and deserving families, personally distributing Zakat funds to help them and their children secure a decent life. He also assisted his father, relatives, and major businessmen, such as Salih Kamel (upon recommendation from Dr. Mohammed Abdo Yamani, who trusted his judgment), in distributing their Zakat and charity. Fadel found joy in hosting these families and maintained careful records of their income, disbursement, and collection.

Following his father's death, Fadel was dedicated to building a two-story mosque in the Al-Shara'i area of Mecca using his father's inheritance and contributions from the heirs. He oversaw the project, working with the municipality and contractors, to ensure the mosque was named after his father, Mahmoud Salih Fattani. It included a ground floor for men and an upper floor for women, along with necessary facilities such as ablution areas, bathrooms, a storage room, a guard's room, and two commercial shops to cover the mosque's management and maintenance. He personally supervised the mosque's service, cleanliness, and maintenance, and arranged for an Imam, a muezzin, and a janitor, visiting often to ensure the comfort of worshippers. He also successfully sought a license for Friday prayers, making it a Jami' (grand mosque). May God reward the late Fadel Fattani abundantly.

Fadel's economic philosophy centered on living frugally to avoid having to ask others for help. He believed it was better for his children and heirs to live off the income of properties that they could enjoy for their lifetime and continuously divide, rather than leaving them a large, fleeting inheritance that would be squandered and fought over quickly. This aligns with the Prophet Muhammad's saying: "It is better for you to leave your heirs wealthy than to leave them poor, begging people." In the view of this philosopher of the Fattani family, his concern extended not just to his immediate children but to his grandchildren across generations, whose needs could be met, even modestly, by the long-term resources of the real estate. His advice to the youth was: "Learn the philosophy of life. Your life is not just today, but your future and the future of your descendants, so reflect, O people of understanding."

Among his daily habits, Fadel loved to eat breakfast immediately after dawn prayers. Upon returning, he often found pleasure in discovering clean, healthy, local breakfast spots—whether a popular foul (fava bean) restaurant in Al-Aziziyah or other places he discovered periodically—to enjoy his morning soup and liver dish.

In his youth, Fadel preferred spending his summer vacations traveling abroad to Lebanon, Egypt, and Syria, where he had many friends he enjoyed visiting and keeping in touch with. He also traveled to the United States whenever possible to visit his youngest sister, who was receiving medical treatment in Houston, Texas.

Family Life and Passing
Fadel Fattani first married a virtuous woman from Taif in 1964/1965 (1384 AH), a member of a noble and distinguished family. They lived in an apartment in Al-Sulaymaniyyah in Mecca. However, as they were not blessed with children, and due to his deep love for children, he decided to separate. He married a second time to a lady from Mecca, who resided with him in his mother's building. This marriage also did not result in children, leading to a second separation. He then married a third time, to a lady from a well-known, noble family in Jeddah. She bore him three sons and one daughter: his eldest daughter graduated from King Abdulaziz University with a nutrition specialization, his eldest son Mahmoud studied engineering in Canada, Sultan studied computer science in Canada, and his youngest son Hussam studied engineering at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. They are all currently employed in institutions and companies in Jeddah.

Fadel Fattani enjoyed a happy family life with his wife and children in their villa in Jeddah, always striving to care for his family. Fadel Mahmoud Salih Fattani suffered a health setback and was admitted to the hospital for over a week until he passed away in Jeddah on August 19, 2014 (23/10/1435 AH), at the age of approximately 77. He was buried in Al-Ma'lat cemetery in Mecca. Up until his last days, he remained committed to giving charity, ensuring a decent and moderate life for the poor and needy through his Zakat, and providing for his wife and children.

May God have mercy on you, my brother Fadel, for your dedication to charity, paying Zakat, and your philosophy and constant aspiration to help the needy. May God unite us with you in the tranquility of His mercy.

May God have mercy on you, Fadel. In your life and actions, you were virtuous and beloved by your siblings, family, and admirers. May God grant you a place in His vast gardens and accept your Zakat and charitable spending. (“And whatever good you spend, you will find it with Allah, for it is better and greater in reward.”)

Sincerely,
Kamel Mahmoud Fattani
Taif, November 30, 2022 (6/5/1444 AH)