Approaching the Sunnah: Comprehension & Controversy (P/B)
Highlights:
The Sunnah still provides the stable moral framework – the grammar – that enables Muslims, by formal rules and inward sense, to know right from wrong. However, separation from the mainstream of life puts the Sunnah in danger of becoming rigid – an archaism. Addressing that danger, this book explains how the Sunnah can function as the grammar of a living, adaptive language, capable of guiding (and not shying from) the mainstream.
The first chapter sets out the qualities that characterize authentic application of the Sunnah: universality, coherence (so that different spheres of human responsibility are not split), compassionate realism, moderation, and humility. The second explains standards and procedures for determining the Sunnah in the fields of jurisprudence and moral instruction. The third chapter illustrates through detailed examples common errors in understanding the Sunnah – reading hadiths singly without sufficient context, confusing legal and moral injunctions, means and ends, figurative and literal meanings…–and it proposes remedies for these errors.
YUSUF AL-QARADAWI is one of the Islamic world’s most widely respected and prolific scholars. His works have remained popular over many decades. Among the best known of his books to appear in English is The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam (first edition 1994).
Authentication of Hadith: Redefining the Criteria (IIIT)
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Highlights:
In today’s complex and volatile world the consequences of relying on fraudulent and counterfeit Hadith to legitimise extremist behaviour, issue violent fatwas, and justify blatant abuse, particularly of women, is not only far too easy but in fact dangerous. Israr Khan addresses the sensitive topic of Hadith authentication, focusing on the criteria adopted by classical scholars to maintain that concentration on the continuity and accuracy of the chain of narrators, rather than the textual content of Hadith, has led to particular Hadith being included which either contradict other Hadith directly, project the Prophet (SAAS) in an uncharacteristic light, or do not reflect and/or conflict with the teachings of the Qur an. The study traces in careful detail the historical development of the oral and written traditions, as well as the many targeted attempts at fabrication that took place, critiquing in methodical detail certain Hadith which have come to be widely accepted as authentic. The prominent collections we have today, were made possible by the development of the science of Hadith criticism, and Muslim scholars deserve deep appreciation for their painstaking work, as well as their invaluable contribution towards preserving the Hadith literature to the best of their ability. However, insists the author, the process is ongoing, and the closed door policy which currently surrounds Hadith authentication needs to be carefully reexamined.
Authority of The Sunnah the Key to Paradise
Highlights:
Allah Most High Said, “And whatever the Messenger has given you, take it; and what he has forbidden you, refrain from it.” [Al-Hashr (59):7]
The Prophet said, “I have not left out anything of which Allah, The Most High has Commanded you with except I have apprised you of it. Likewise, I have not left out anything of which Allah has Prohibited you from it, except I have apprised you of it…” [Al Bayhaqi, 7/76 & others]
Together with the Qur’an, the Sunnah is the pivotal foundation and primary source of the Islamic faith. Following both of them is mandated by Allah Himself and obligated upon Muslims to adhere and live accordingly. Muslim theology is established upon them and remains defective and incomplete should either be forsaken for they both explain and interpret each other.
During his time, Imam al-Suyuṭi felt a genuine need to pen this compelling book in confuting those who either rejected the Sunnah altogether or did not grant it the status and respect it deserves in the religion. He primarily compiled from the works of Imam Al-Bayhaqi elucidating the position of Imam Shafi’i, and firmly laid out the arguments supporting the Sunnah of the Prophet by outlining its critical importance, its authority, and implication to one’s life.
Salvation, therefore, lies in embracing the Sunnah fully, for indeed it is the key to facilitating our worldly lives and thereafter, unlocking the doors of Paradise, as Shadh ibn Yaḥya said perfectly, “There is no better way to Paradise than the way of those who have followed the Sunnah.”
Explanation of the Chapter: Moderation In Acts Of Obedience
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Highlights:
Moderation is that one maintains a middle course between extremism and negligence, because it is required from the person in all his circumstances to take a middle course between extremism and neglect. Allaah, the Most High, says, “And those, who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).” In this manner, the person should or rather must act moderately in acts of obedience. So you should not burden yourself with what you cannot bear because when the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) heard about the three individuals, one of whom said, “Indeed, I will not wed women,” and the second said, “I will observe fasting and never break it,” and the third said, “I will stand up in prayer at night and will not sleep”; he (alayhi salātu wa salaam) delivered a speech in which he said, “What is the matter with those who say such and such, indeed I pray at night and sleep, I observe fasting and break it, and I wed women? For whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not from me.”
Forty Hadiths On Leadership and Governance With Short Commentaries
Highlights:
Forty Hadiths on Leadership and Governance brings forth the stark realities of the leadership crisis in the present era in the light of authentic hadiths. This invaluable piece of work teaches the readers – in the light of authentic hadiths – what a true Muslim leader is like. It can also be every leader’s guidebook illumining the path through examples from the lives of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs and teaching how Muslims can regain their past glory by holding on to the rope of Allah and Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him).
Hadith Course
Highlights:
Hadith Course is essential reading for all English speaking students of Hadith, presenting fifty hadiths in Arabic and English in an easy-to-understand manner. Vocabulary and an explanation of each hadith are given, along with the lessons learned from it. All of the hadiths have been carefully chosen for authenticity and cover a wide range of topics, including belief, jurisprudence, social matters, business and much more. This book is an invaluable handbook for schools and self-learners.
Hadith Terminology and Classification (H/B)
Highlights:
Islam is a complete way of life that enlightens through the Qur’an and the Sunnah, the true path of guidance and success in this world and the hereafter. However, one must accurately comprehend what has been ordained through the Sunnah and identify the authentic hadiths of the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him). To do that, it is imperative to understand the rules that govern the classification and definitions of hadith methodology and criticism.
Hadith: Muhammad’s Legacy in the Medieval and Modern World (2nd Edition)
Highlights:
Contrary to popular opinion, the bulk of Islamic law does not come from the Quran but from hadith, first-hand reports of the Prophet Muhammad’s words and deeds, passed from generation to generation. However, with varying accounts often only committed to paper a century after the death of Muhammad, Islamic scholars, past and present, have been faced with complex questions of historical authenticity. In this wide-ranging introduction, Jonathan A. C. Brown explores the collection and criticism of hadith, and the controversy surrounding its role in modern Islam. This edition, revised and updated with additional case studies and attention to the very latest scholarship, also features a new chapter on how hadiths have been used politically, both historically and in the Arab Spring and its aftermath. Informative and accessible, it is perfectly suited to students, scholars and general readers interested in this critical element of Islam.
Reviving 354 Prophetic Sunnahs: A Practical Guide by Dr. Ragheb Elsergany
Highlights:
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) predicted that a time would come when people would deliberately leave the Sunnah, and rely only on the Noble Quran. Both this authentic hadith and many verses of the Quran make it clear that to do so is delusional and misguided.
Scholars of Hadith (P/B)
Highlights:
This book presents an extensive, in-depth analysis of great Muhaddithun (scholars of the science of Hadith). Each chapter presents detailed biographies of Malik b. Anas, Ibn Hanbal, al-Bukhari, Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, an-Nasai, Ibn Majah, ad-Darimi and al-Bayhaqi along with the methods they used in Hadith collection and classification. This work is especially important in today’s world where many Muslims have a dire need to connect with the great corpus of work that was produced by the scholars or traditional Islam. A work such as Scholars of Hadith has been long overdue in the English language and it will certainly make for productive reading for all interested in deepening their knowledge of Islam.
