An summarised text detailing the rules governing the Criticism of Hadeeth. From its introduction -'A hadith (pl. ahadith) is composed of two parts: the matn (text) and the isnad (chain of reporters). A text may seem to be logical and reasonable but it needs an authentic isnad with reliable reporters to be acceptable; 'Abdullah b. al-Mubarak (d. 181 AH) is reported to have said, "The isnad is part of the religion: had it not been for the isnad, whoever wished to would have said whatever he liked." During the lifetime of the Prophet (SAS) and after his death, his Companions (Sahabah) used to refer to him when quoting his sayings. The Successors (Tabi'un) followed suit; some of them used to quote the Prophet (SAS) through the Companions while others would omit the intermediate authority - such a hadith was known as mursal (loose). It was found that the missing link between the Successor and the Prophet (SAS) might be one person, i.e. a Companion, or two persons, the extra person being an older Successor who heard the hadith from the Companion.'
Author: Mahmood Al-Tahaan
A discussion of the obligation of keeping a beard and a clarification of some common misconceptions.
Author: Muhammad al-Jibaly
Publisher: Al-Kitaab & as-Sunnah Publishing
Source: http://www.islamhouse.com/p/1231
The Month of Safar in Jahiliyyah and in Islam.
Author: Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid
Publisher: http://www.islamqa.com - Islam : Question & Answer Website
Source: http://www.islamhouse.com/p/1345
This nice article discusses a very nice topic. It discusses the meaning of Allah's name: An-Nur (the Light). No doubt lots of Muslims did not read about its meaning due to its being obvious but we should take much care of knowing any aspect of Islam even if we think it is very clear. Dr. Saleh As-Saleh explains its meaning through explaining the verse in which it is mentioned in Surat An-Nur.
Author: Dr. Saleh As-Saleh
Publisher: http://understand-islam.net - Understand Islam Website
To approach the stories of kings and potentates, as well as the movements and vicissitudes of tribes, nations, and masses from a proper historical perspective seems to be an unattainable objective. Something is needed more than human intelligence, empirical method, and rigid scientific criteria: and the only possible source for undefiled knowledge is through religious revelations. The History of Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) is an attempt in this regard. It gives a short account of the life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) based on the Qur’an and authentic and reliable sources in a simple and easy language.
Reveiwers: Muhammad AbdulRaoof
By Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah. Actions are distinguished, one from the other, with respect to their excellence in the Sight of Allaah in accordance with the condition of the heart, not by their number or form, but rather due to the strength of the caller, his truthfulness, his sincerity and the extent to which he prefer Allaah over himself…
Author: Sheikh-ul-Islam ibn Taymiyyah