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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
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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? Continue reading
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Book Review: The Ramadan of Shaikh al-Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya and Our Elders
Book: The Ramadan of Shaikh al-Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya and our Elders Author: Dr. Mohammad Ismail Memon Madani Publisher: Madania Publications ISBN: 978-1-936157-04-4 Pages: 171 Dr. Mohammad Ismail Memon Madani’s most recent publication, entitled The Ramadan of Shaikh al-Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya and our Elders, is a most welcome addition to an ever-growing library of quality English Islamic literature.… Continue reading
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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