By the infinite mercy of Allah, I have been blessed to be able to teach the Shama’il Muhammadiyyah of Imam Tirmidhi twice in the last year and have begun to teach it again this year to students of the Dawrat al-Hadith. In the beginning of the year, students were very adamant on finding a commentary of the Shama’il that… Continue reading Review of Some Commentaries on Imam Tirmidhi’s al-Shama’il al-Muhammadiyyah
Category: Hadith
A Reading List of English Books in Hadith Studies
Over the past few years, a significant number of friends and students have requested a list of suggested book readings for my various classes on Hadith Studies. Others over the past few years have asked my opinion about certain works or whether they are appropriate for the level of the enquirer. Recently, I was reminded… Continue reading A Reading List of English Books in Hadith Studies
On the Hadith that the Ummah is Unlettered
Question: Where can I find the ḥadīth about this ummah being illiterate? Is it found in any strong sources, and if so, weren’t there Companions who could read and write in the Prophet’s time (sallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam)? Answer: The ḥadīth I believe you are referring to reads: “We are an unlettered nation (ummah). We do not write nor… Continue reading On the Hadith that the Ummah is Unlettered
The Status of the Hadith on the Obligation of Seeking Knowledge
Question: What is the status of the ḥaḍīth: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim male and Muslim female”? I have been told that it is fabricated but then I hear it quoted by so many scholars. Please explain. Answer: The ḥadīth in question is normally quoted in two different manners, one without the addition… Continue reading The Status of the Hadith on the Obligation of Seeking Knowledge
Research on the Famous Hadith of the Virtues of Ramadan and Its Three Parts
Question: There is a ḥadīth that divides Ramadan into three periods. Is this ḥadīth authentic? Reply: After a detailed analysis of all the corroboratory chains of the ḥadīth in question, it can be concluded that it is of a weak (ḍaʿīf) nature. The weakness of the narration, however, is not of such severity as to render it baseless. Narrations of this… Continue reading Research on the Famous Hadith of the Virtues of Ramadan and Its Three Parts
Research on the Hadith on Moving Mountains and Changing Habits
Question: I have often heard this hadith that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said that a mountain can move from its place but a man cannot change his habits. Is this really a hadith and is it authentic? Answer: In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving. The narration that you refer to… Continue reading Research on the Hadith on Moving Mountains and Changing Habits
Bilal Ali 