Surviving school as a Muslim youth in the West is not easy. The social requirement upon youth to not only excel in studies but also to exhibit ideal, Islamic behavior outside and inside the home makes leading a healthy student life a truly daunting task. With the combined social pressures of school, family, and friends… Continue reading Nine Tips for Surviving School
Was the Fast of ‘Ashura Ever Obligatory?
Question Some scholars mention that fasting on ‘Ashura was obligatory upon the ummah before the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory, but I have also heard that this is not true from other scholars. Can you please clarify? Answer On the issue of the obligation of the ‘Ashura fast before the obligation of the fasts… Continue reading Was the Fast of ‘Ashura Ever Obligatory?
Book Review: Madrasah Life by Shaykh Mohammed Akram an-Nadwi
Shaykh Akram Nadwi’s “Madrasah Life” is a a pleasurable and easy narrative. It is no more than a hundred pages and being the personal account of an exceptional student and scholar, its quite fun reading. The book explores a day in the life of a madrasah student at the famed Nadwat al-Ulama in Lucknow, India. Known… Continue reading Book Review: Madrasah Life by Shaykh Mohammed Akram an-Nadwi
The Hadith of Abu Hurayrah Delivering a Lecture Before the Jumu’ah Khutbah
Question: I was discussing with a friend the idea of giving a speech before the Arabic khutbah and he mentioned that Abu Hurayrah used to give a speech in Masjid Nabawi before the actual khutbah. Do you know where he got this from and where I can find this hadith?
Reading List of Recommended English Books on the Prophetic Biography
The list of available works on the Sīrah, or prophetic biography, is almost too long to mention. I have, therefore, confined this list to English works and, then, to works that are the most useful for students of my Sirah courses (HST101: Prophetic Biography – The Makkan Era and HST102: Prophetic Biography – The Madinan… Continue reading Reading List of Recommended English Books on the Prophetic Biography
The Gracious Quran: My Preferred Translation of the Quran’s Meanings in English
With the enormous amount of translations of the meanings of the Qur’an available in the market today, it becomes very difficult for the average reader to decide which one to use and which one best suits his/her purpose. While I admittedly have not read through or analyzed all of the translations out there, I have… Continue reading The Gracious Quran: My Preferred Translation of the Quran’s Meanings in English
Review of Some Commentaries on Imam Tirmidhi’s al-Shama’il al-Muhammadiyyah
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
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
Bilal Ali 