The following works are basic hadith collections For the serious student of usul hadith: Foundations Intermediate Advanced Mastery The following contemporary authors also have beneficial works: Shaykh Abdullah al-Sa’d offered the following advice during one class for students of hadith: Ilm al-riwayah begins with al-Bukhari and Muslim whilst listening to recorded commentaries where possible. Then move onto…Continue reading How to study Hadith
The Ruling of Abortion in Islam
Abortion is the removal of a foetus from the womb; either by consuming certain drugs or by emptying the womb through the process of suction. This ethical issue is continuously debated around the world where some people edge towards pro-life and others pro-choice however Islam has its own ruling on this Issue. There have been…Continue reading The Ruling of Abortion in Islam
How to study the Aqidah of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ and others
The Ahlus Sunnah agreen on the main proponents to Aqidah however there are some subtle differences. The three main schools are 1) Ashari, 2) Maturudi, 3) Athari. Ash’ari Beginner Qawa’id al-Aqa’id by al-Ghazali al-Kharidah al-Bahiyah by Ahmad al-Dardir Jawharat al-Tawhid by al-Laqqani Umm al-Barahin by al-Sanusi Intermediate Tuhfat al-Murid ‘ala Jawharat al-Tawhid by al-Bajuri Tawali’ al-Anwar by…Continue reading How to study the Aqidah of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ and others
The Golden Chains of Hadith narration
In hadith narration, the Sanad plays an important part when authenticating hadith. Factors like the individuals themselves and the number of people in the chain strengthen or set hadith above one another. There are multiple opinions on which chains are golden, i.e. narrated by immaculately precise, honest and pious people. According to al-Bukhari, the strongest…Continue reading The Golden Chains of Hadith narration
The Four Blessed Daughters
The Messenger of Allah had four daughters with his wife Khadija bint Khuwaylid. Zaynab Ruqayyah Umm Kulthum Fatima Zaynab Zainab bint Muhammad was the eldest daughter. She married her maternal cousin, Abu al-As ibn al-Rabi’. They had two children, Ali, who died in childhood, and daughter Umama . Zainab became a Muslim soon after her father first declared his prophethood.…Continue reading The Four Blessed Daughters
Hadith Curriculum according to Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi and other traditional scholars
Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi in Jami’ li Akhlaq al-Rawi and Ibn al-Salah, in his Muqaddimah, recommend the following curriculum which has been approved, expanded, and commented upon by al-Nawawi in al-Taqrib, al-Suyuti in Tadrib al-Rawi, al-Iraqi in his Alfiyyah, al-Sakhawi in Fath al-Mughith, and Zakariyah al-Ansari in Fath al-Baqi: Commence by studying the sahih works of al-Bukhari and Muslim with care and attention. Al-Ansari and al-Sakhawi both state (perhaps from their teacher Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani) that al-Bukhari takes precedence due to the extreme care he…Continue reading Hadith Curriculum according to Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi and other traditional scholars
The Mastery of Hadith according to Shaykh Hatim al-Awni
Shaykh Hatim al-Awni al-Sharif of Makka gives valuable advice in his booklet, Nasa’ih Manhajiyah li-Talib ‘Ilm al-Sunnah al-Nabawiyah. Obsessively read the Sahihayn, devoting a period each day for their study so that one can complete reading them in a year. One should aim at a minimum to do this over four years, during high school or university, so that…Continue reading The Mastery of Hadith according to Shaykh Hatim al-Awni
The Classifications of Hadith Summarised
The science of hadith is vast and there are many classifications and rankings of hadith. Here is a summary of the main types of classifications (tabaqat). A hadith is composed of three parts: The Matn is the main text whereas the Isnad is the chain of reporters leading back to the Prophet, and the Taraf is the beginning sentence of…Continue reading The Classifications of Hadith Summarised
Opinion on Abu Tālib
Much is discussed around the imān of Abu Tālib by sound scholars of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’. Both have strong evidences for their positions and in this post, I’ll lay out both sides of the argument. Brief background of Abu Tālib Abu Tālib ibn Abd al-Muttalib was the uncle of the Prophet ﷺ. He…Continue reading Opinion on Abu Tālib
The levels of Jahannam (Hell)
There are seven levels of Jahannam as shown in a hadith narrated by Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Zayd ibn Aslam, “The levels of paradise go up and the levels of Hell go down”. According to some books these levels have names: the first is called Jahannam, the second Ladhaa, the third al-Hutamah, the fourth as-Sa’eer, the fifth…Continue reading The levels of Jahannam (Hell)