Imam Shafi on On Legal Knowledge Read Classical – Excerpt Written in the second Islamic century by al-Imam al-Shafi’i (d. 204AH/820AD), the founder of one of the four Sunni schools of law. This important work gives the fundamental principles of Islamic jurisprudence and its influence continues to the present day. During the early years of the spread of Islam, the exponents of Islamic legal doctrine were faced with the problems raised by ruling and administering a diverse and rapidly growing empire. In Medina and Kufa, as well as other cities of early Muslim rule, schools of law had to be developed, but it took the genius of Muhammad b. Idris al-Shafi’i, born in the year 150AH/767AD, to establish the principles by which the various legal doctrines could be synthesised into a coherent system. In the Risala, which laid down the basis for such a synthesis, al-Shafi’i established the overriding authority, next only to the Qur’an, of the Sunnah or example of the Prophet Muhammad as transmitted in the traditions.
Author: Muhammad Bin Idrees Al-Shafaei - Mohammed Bin Idrees Al-Shafai
Reveiwers: Muhammad AbdulRaoof
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
Children are the fruits of the marital relationship and a pleasure in this life. In fact, parents must train their children so that they become solace of their eyes in this life and hereafter.
Reveiwers: Muhammad AbdulRaoof
A Book detailing the rulings concerning Hajj and Umrah.
Author: Mahmoud Reda Morad Abu Romaisah
Publisher: Islamic Propagation Office in Rabwah
Source: http://www.islamhouse.com/p/1391
The treatise by Imam ibn Hanbal, the Imam of the Hanbali school of juristic reasoning, renowned for his steep knowledge, was written several hundred years ago to the inhabitants of a town where the Imam stayed for a period of time. It contains a full and clear description of the prayer and includes detailed observations of the mistakes, which Imam Ahmad observed during his time in that town. It was and remains an invaluable work for all Muslims. Detailing as it does many common errors made during prayers, some of which are serious enough to invalidate the act of worship.
Author: Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal
Reveiwers: Muhammad AbdulRaoof
Believing in the hereafter and the reward and punishment in it is one of the fundamentals of Islam. Allah made signs before it indicating its approach. The prophet made the matter of the hereafter great, whenever he mentioned it his voice became louder and he got angery. Due to the prophet's repetition of the Hour the companions feared that it might have taken place during their life.
Reveiwers: Muhammad AbdulRaoof
Publisher: Cooperative Office for Propagation, Guidance, and Warning of Expatriates in the city of AlQaseem - A website Islamic Library www.islamicbook.ws