Introduction to history of polytheism and monotheism: Allah (glory be to him) created all people as Muslims and monotheists but devils came to them and changed and distorted their religion. Allah said in a qudsi hadith, “I created all my slaves as haneefs (monotheists), but the devils came to them, made them deviate from their religion, forbade them that which I had permitted to them, and commanded them to join partners with me for which I has given no authority.” As soon as people commit a type of polytheism, Allah sends his prophets to call them to the suitable type of monotheism.
Author: Ameen Al-Ansaari
Publisher: A website Knowing Allah : http://knowingallah.com
The 40 Hadith of Imam Nawawi is a profound and comprehensive collection, summarizing the teachings of Islam and the character of the Prophet (S). “Everyone who desires and looks forward to the Hereafter must be familiar with these hadith because they cover the most important aspects of the religion and they offer direction to all forms of obedience to Allah. This is clear to anyone who ponders these hadith.” - Al-Nawawi’s introduction to his Forty Hadeeth.
Reveiwers: Muhammad AbdulRaoof
A great book about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which shows how his mercy embraces all beings: humans and jinns, believers and disbelievers, friends and enemies, women and girls, orphans, children, weak people, widows, poor people, students of knowledge, prisoners, the sick and animals. Before that, it mentions his lineage, worship, physical description and morals such as: justice, bravery, generosity, humbleness, gentleness, softness, patience and wisdom. It also illustrates how he encourages others to develop their good manners. It also mentions his miracles and the just and honest Jewish and Christian scholars who acknowledge the truthfulness of the Prophet’s message. Finally it mentions his death and his rights over the people of his nation.
Author: Saeed Bin Ali Bin Wahf Al-Qahtani
Translators: Faisal ibn Muhammad Shafeeq
This booklet will Insha’Allah, comprehensively answer these baffling questions and dispel many doubts on the subject like why Allah created Shaytan and why Shaytan was granted his request to remain alive until the Day of Judgement. This booklet will also elaborate upon Aqeedah points that are learnt from the disgraceful story of Shaytan’s failure and from the grievous stories of those who fell into his traps from the nations past. The last part of this booklet focuses on the means prescribed in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah to dispel Shaytan and protect ourselves and our homes from him.
Author: Shuwana Abdul-Azeez
Reveiwers: Muhammad AbdulRaoof
Publisher: A website Quran and Sunnah : http://www.qsep.com
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
The book begins with a discussion of the sacred nature of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, the boundaries of the Haram (Sanctuary) and its sanctity. Then it discusses the superiority of Makkah and narrates Ahadith to that effect. Then it mentions the names of Makkah and the significance of these names. This book also speaks of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Isma'il (Ishmael) (peace be upon them) and their connection to Makkah and its sanctity and development.