Book Review: Mukhtasar Zaad al-Ma’aad

Mukhtasar Zaad al-Ma’aad fee Hadee Khair-il-‘Ibaad
Author al-Imam Muhammad bin ‘Abdul-Wahhaab
Print by al-Maktabah al-‘Asriyyah
Pages 240

In our last post, we covered the text that Shaykh Fawzaan teaches on Saturday. We will now move on to the next class.

On Sunday, Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan teaches from Mukhtasar Zaad al-Ma’aad. This is an abridged version done by Shaykh-ul-Islam, Muhammad bin ‘Abdul-Wahhaab, may Allah have mercy upon him. He condensed Shaykh-ul-Islam, Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah’s, may Allah have mercy upon him, Zaad-ul-Ma’aad which usually is printed in 4 volumes. My wife had a print of it by Daar-ul-Athaar in Sanaa, Yemen in 2 volumes which she bought from the Salafi bookstore in ‘Ayn Shams, Cairo. The type was kind of small though.

The Shaykh’s Sunday class is a mixture of Seerah and Fiqh. We cover the biography of the Prophet, peace be upon him, while learning the Fiqh aspect of how he applied Islam in his life. The brother who reads on the Shaykh recites the text sort of like in a rhyming poetic form and then the Shaykh will stop him where he wants him to stop and explains the text. The Shaykh always covers the Fiqh aspect of the text and then explains words or difficult vocabulary. He always brings verses of the Quran, statements of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and the statements of the scholars when he speaks. When we covered the Fiqh aspects of the ‘Aqeeqah, I learned from the Shaykh that it is not necessary to shave the girl’s head but it is for a boy.

In regards to the book, then many publishers have printed it, so finding the print should not be difficult. When I went to the used bookstore to get my copy there were over five different printings. My wife has a different copy than mine, and all of the students in class have different printings as well.

The Mukhtasar has been translated into English under the name ‘Abridged Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’. You can read more about it here. Zaad-ul-Ma’aad itself has been translated into English by Shaykh Jalal Abul-Rub, but I do not know where to find it online. Maybe someone can find out and comment here, Allah willing.

Here in Riyadh, some of the Da’wah centers shorten the Mukhtasar and draw points of benefit from the Seerah and print small booklets to distribute free. I will write about it in an upcoming post soon, Allah willing.

Book Review: al-Muntaqaa min Akhbaar al-Mustafaa

al-Muntaqaa min Akhbaar al-Mustafaa
By al-Imam, al-Muhaddith, al-‘Allaamah Aboo Barakaat ‘Abdus-Salaam bin ‘Abdullah bin Taymiyyah al-Harraanee (D. 652 A.H.)
Tahqeeq: Khaalid bin Dhayf Allah ash-Shalaahee
Printed by Muassasah ar-Risaalah in 4 volumes

In these upcoming posts, I will focus on the texts that are taught by our Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan within his general study circles given Saturday through Tuesday. These lessons are all taught at Masjid al-Ameer Mu’tib bin ‘Abdil-‘Azeez in the Milaaz district of Riyadh. The Shaykh gives these four lessons and the Friday sermon, but he is not the Imam. The Imam here, Shaykh Naasir reads two texts on the Shaykh which is on Saturday and Tuesday. Another brother reads the text on the Shaykh on Sunday. Three of these lessons are read from texts of the Scholars while the Shaykh’s Tafseer class is done from the Shaykh’s memory based on his Tafseer studies as a youth. For more information on the Shaykh’s lessons and schedule you can click here.


Saturday is the first day of the week in Saudi and it is the first day that the Shaykh begins his general lessons from after al-Maghrib until al-‘Ishaa. This class is over the classical Hanbali text al-Muntaqaa min Akhbaar al-Mustafaa written by al-Imam Aboo Barakaat Majd-ud-Deen, may Allah have mercy upon him, who was the grandfather of the famous scholar Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah enlighten his grave.

The print that I have purchased and which is the most popular print is the four volume version printed by Mua’ssasah ar-Risaalah. I have seen other students with different printings but I am not familiar with who printed them and their volumes. This book is arranged by the main topics of Fiqh such as purification, prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, etc. and presents the title of the subject and then the narration concerning the subject. Volume four contains a nicely arranged index of the topics and narrations.

The following image is an example of my notes taken during the Shaykh’s class. He usually covers 5 to 6 narrations and after each one is read to him, he goes on to explain the meaning of the narration and the vocabulary found in the text along with any Fiqh related aspects associated with the topic.


This particular print is a good printing with the exception of one section in which the Shaykh said is not found in the original text of the Muntaqaa. The quality is good and the pages are wide enough for decent dictation of the Shaykh’s explanations.

Book Review: Fadhaail Ahli-Yaman

Al-Qawl al-Hasan fee Fadhaail Ahli-Yaman
Collected and arranged by Aboo Basheer Muhammad bin ‘Alee az-Zakaree al-Hajooree
With a foreword by ash-Shaykh Yahyaa bin ‘Alee al-Hajooree
Printed by Daar al-Athaar
Pages 144

This is a very extensive compilation concerning the beneficial characteristics of the people of Yemen, compiled and arranged by one of the students of Daar-ul-Hadeeth in Dammaaj, may Allah protect it and have mercy upon its founder. This printing actually contains two books in one, both by the same author. The second book after this is entitled al-Ahaadeeth adh-Dha’eefah fee Fadhaail Ahli-Yaman, which is a collection of one hundred weak narrations concerning Yemen and its people.

The foreword is written by ash-Shaykh Yahyaa, the current rector of Daar-ul-Hadeeth, who is entrusted with reviewing all of the works put out by the students before they are ready for print.

The topics within this work are beautifully laid out and begin with an introduction, why Yemen is called Yemen, and then goes into the narrations concerning this blessed land. Other interesting topics include the statements of the people of knowledge concerning the people of Yemen, the names of some of the companions who were from Yemen, which numbers fifty seven companions, as well as the names of the most famous scholars of Yemen which numbers ninety two scholars, etc.

Book Review: Fadhaail ash-Shaam wa Dimashq

Takhreej Ahaadeeth Fadhaail ash-Shaam wa Dimashq
Written by al-Haafith Aboo al-Hasan ar-Rabi’ee and compiled by ash-Shaykh Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen al-Albaanee
Published by Maktabat-ul-Maa’arif
Pages 80

This is a compilation of thirty narrations, both authentic, weak, and fabricated, concerning the beneficial characteristics of Syria and Damascus. The Shaykh, may Allah have mercy upon him, collected these narrations from al-Haafith Aboo al-Hasan ar-Rabi’ee’s (Died 444 A.H.) work and included the source of each narration, its grade of authenticity, and added notes to the narrations. Each narration includes the name of the companion but not the full chain of narrators.

The compilation sheds light on the blessings contained within Syria and Damascus in a time when it is filled with many trials and the Muslims are being persecuted and afflicted by secularism. We ask Allah to bless Syria and Damascus and to return it to the place of knowledge and application of Islam that it once was.

Book Review: Kitaab-ut-Tawheed

Kitaab-ut-Tawheed
Written by al-Imaam ‘Abdul-Ghanee al-Maqdisee
Printed by Daar as-Saqaa
Pages 95

Al-Imaam, al-Haafith, ‘Abdul-Ghanee bin ‘Abdul-Waahid bin ‘Alee bin Suroor al-Maqdisee (531-600 A.H.), may Allah have mercy upon him, compiled a collection of narrations along with their full chain of narrators concerning Tawheed. The text is divided into twenty-four topics on Tawheed and each narration is verified along with notes concerning finer points of the narration, by Muhamad ‘Abdur-Rahmaan an-Naablusee and ‘Abdul-Akram as-Saqaa. They both give an insightful introduction, a brief biography of the author, several copies of some of the pages from the original manuscript, and a detailed index of all of the narrations and subjects in the text for easy reference.

I bought this at a used bookstore here in Riyadh for a couple of Riyals hidden in a stack of dusty used books. I didn’t realize what a gem I had stumbled upon. I am not sure if this was ever reprinted but my copy was done in 1995.

Book Review: Letters from the Leaders of the Call to Tawheed

Rasaa’il Aa’immah Da’wati-Tawheed
Collected and prepared by Dr. Faysal bin Mash’al bin Sa’ood bin ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aali Sa’ood
Page 237

I received this book as a gift from my neighbor Aboo Ibraaheem, may Allah reward him with good. This is a small compilation of letters from the Saudi kings beginning with the first, Imam Muhammad bin Sa’ood all the way to Fahd bin ‘Abdul-‘Azeez. The letters are written to their people on many topics such as the importance of Islam and Tawheed, observing prayer, the call of as-Salafiyyah, etc.

The book introduces a detailed explanation of the condition of the Arabian Peninsula before the call of Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab and then goes into a brief biography of his life. Included is a chart showing all of the rulers in Arabia from the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, until the present time. There is also a brief biography of each Saudi king concerning their place of birth, educational background, religious studies, and contributions to Islam.

This compilation exposes us to the religious side of these kings and towards their great concern for establishing Islam in the Arabian Peninsula in addition to their concern in spreading the true message of our religion to the Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Book Review: al-Bashaair fee as-Simaa al-Mubaashir

al-Bashaair fee as-Simaa al-Mubaashir Nasaaih wa Irshaadaat wa ghayrihaa
Written by ‘Abdullah bin ‘Iyaash al-Ahdal with foreword by ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abdillah al-Wasaabee
Printed by Maktabah al-Imaam al-Waadi’ee and Daar ‘Umar bin al-Khattaab
Pages 95

This is a collection of memorable sound bites taken from the lectures of Shaykh Muqbil bin Haadee al-Waadi’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him. The late Muhaddith scholar of Yemen and founder of Daar-ul-Hadeeth in the village of Dammaaj, which is 30 minutes away from the north-Yemeni city of Sa’dah.

The book is divided into 26 sections of various topics such as his statements concerning seeking knowledge, recommended books to have for seeking knowledge, his comments about the deviant sects such as the Shiah, the Tableegh, the Ikhwan Muslimeen, his comments on America, and his warnings from disobedience and following the Quran and Sunnah.

I will translate some beneficial statements from the Shaykh so that you may get an idea of what the book is about. Under the section, “His advices and words of guidance towards his students”:

“Learning Tawheed is from the best ways of drawing closer to Allah.”

“The person who becomes beneficial in mastering the science of an-Nahw can cause benefit in all of the other sciences.”

“Do you learn so that the people will one day surround you? May Allah never cause blessing of knowledge for this reason.”

“Do you learn so that you can be a caller to a specific group? May Allah never cause blessing of knowledge for this reason. May Allah never cause blessing in any act until it becomes a sincere act (for Allah).”

“I advise the student of knowledge to marry the Sunni woman so that you can both build a Sunni home.”

And just some glimpses from the section, “His speech on some of the groups and sects”:

“I do not defend the rulers but I detest those who inspire take overs and revolutions.”

“The Hizbiyoon are more harmful on the Da’wah than the Sufis and the Shia because the ideology of at-Tasawwuf and at-Tashayyu’ has died.”

“Some of the women of Ahlus-Sunnah are more knowledgeable than many of the Azharis when it comes to the science of Hadeeth.”

“The group Jamaa’at-ul-Jihaad (the Party of Jihaad) deserved to be called Jamaa’at-ul-Fasaad (the Group of Corruption).”

And there are many other more too numerous to translate and post here. But the point being that this is a must have book for the Muslim to read and have as reference. May Allah have mercy upon the Shaykh, and grant him the highest place in paradise.

Two Explanations of the Jibreel Hadeeth from Two Major Scholars

Sharh Hadeeth Jibreel fee Ta’leem ad-Deen
By ash-Shaykh ‘Abdul-Muhsin al-‘Abbaad
Printed by Daar al-Mughnee li-Nashr wa at-Tawzee’
79 pages

The Shaykh breaks down the points of benefit contained within the narration where the angel Jibreel (Gabriel)-peace be upon him-came to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and asked about Islam. The Shaykh uses verses of the Quran and other narrations along with the statements of the scholars concerning the explanation of Islaam, Imaan, and Ihsan. It is brief but very comprehensive.

Sharh Hadeeth Jibreel alayhi salaam
Explained by ash-Shaykh Dr. Saalih al-Fawzaan
Printed by Daar al-‘Aasimah
Pages 64

This booklet is taken from the Shaykh’s general lessons given on Imam an-Nawawee’s Forty Hadeeth. It captures the Shaykh’s unique style of explanation that we benefit from him here in Riyadh when he gives the general lessons. The Shaykh goes through each line of the narration, point by point, and explains the words and the text based on evidences from the Quran, the Sunnah, and the statements of the scholars. One of the brothers who helped print the book referenced all of the verses and did a small Takhreej of the narrations.