Concerning the Imaam, the Shaykh – Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (rahima-hullaah), it has been narrated:
“A member of the Daâ’wah and Guidance Centre in Jeddah narrates that during the hajj of 1416A.H, he was in the company of the Shaykh at King ‘Abdul-al ‘Azeez Airport in Jeddah surrounded by the pilgrims who were arriving for hajj.
Here, the Shaykh undertook that which was obligatory upon him by giving daâ’wah to the arriving pilgrims. A large group of Russian pilgrims arrived and the Shaykh wanted to offer some words (of daâ’wah) to them. So he asked if there was a translator amongst them. Then, the (Russian) guide for the group came forward not knowing this was Shaykh Ibn âl-‘Uthaymeen.
After completing the translation, the guide asked who the Shaykh was. He was told that it was Shaykh Ibn âl-‘Uthaymeen. At this, he turned to embrace the Shaykh kissing him (on his forehead) whilst crying. He then grabbed hold of the microphone and addressed all the members of his group that this was Shaykh Ibn âl-‘Uthaymeen. At this, tears began falling from the eyes of each and every member of the group, whilst the guide was repeatedly loudly calling out on the microphone ‘Shaykh Ibn âl-‘Uthaymeen! Shaykh Ibn âl-‘Uthaymeen! Shaykh Ibn âl-‘Uthaymeen!…’
The members of the group then came (forward) and conveyed their greetings to the Shaykh and kissed him (on his forehead).
The guide for the group then turned to the Shaykh and said:
These are your students. They used to read your books in shelters under the ground during the Communist rule.
- ‘al-Jaamiâ’ li-Hayaat al-‘Allaamah Muhammed ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen’ Page 38
Tawheed First 
I read this beforeon fatwaonline, and Subhanallah, it literally moved me to tears. Just think of all of the suffering they went through, may Allah reward them, and they spent their difficult times reading books such as Shaykh Uthaymeen’s. Imagine how much love and adoration they must have had…
May Allah reward the Shaykh immensely for all of the da’wah he has done and for all of his benefit for the Ummah.
I remember reading this on a forum, where they were a collection of stories, from the shuyookh, and this was by far my favourite. SubhaanAllah, as you’ve said think of the oppression they’ve faced and to finally witness the man that gave you strength during those difficult times, whose books you secretly read … subhaanAllah.
“May Allah reward the Shaykh immensely for all of the da’wah he has done and for all of his benefit for the Ummah.”
Ameen.