Book Review: Two Books on the Tableegh

Al-Mujiz al-Baleegh fee at-Tahdheer min Firqat-it-Tableegh
Collected and prepared by ‘Abdullah bin Mubaarak al-Qahtaanee
Printed by Daar-as-Sami’ee
Pages 61

This is a small compilation concerning the origin, creed, methodology, and personalities of the Jamaa’at-ut-Tableegh. The book is praised by ash-Shaykh al-‘Allaamah Muhammad bin Muslim Aali ‘Uthaymeen who writes a recommendation. The author also includes rulings from members of the Major Scholars in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concerning this group. I translated several sections of this book years ago in which the translated sections appeared on the site Salafyink, so whoever wants can refer to those translated sections.

Kashf-us-Sattaar ‘ammaa Tahmiluhu ba’dha ad-Da’waat min Akhtaar
Written by Muhammad bin Naasir al-‘Uraynee
Printed by: (Not listed)
Pages 112

This is another excellent treatise containing the rulings of many scholars concerning the errors and beliefs of the Tableegh. Scholars such as the late Muftis of Saudi Arabia, ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin Ibraaheem Aali ash-Shaykh and ash-Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz, members of the Committee of Major Scholars in Saudi Arabia such as ash-Shaykh Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen, ash-Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razaaq al-‘Afeefee, Dr. Saalih bin ‘Abdur-Rahmaan al-Atram, Dr. Saalih al-Fawzaan, the Muhaddith of ash-Shaam ash-Shaykh Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen al-Albaanee, some of the Mashaayikh of Riyadh like ash-Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ar-Raajihee (who I have been blessed to meet at Jaami' Raajihi when he gave a Dars there) and ash-Shaykh Hamood at-Tuwayjiree, the Muhaddith of Yemen ash-Shaykh Muqbil bin Haadee al-Waadi’ee, and many many others.

There is a foreword by our Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan recommending the book. The author has gone to lengths to write very little and instead present the knowledge-based rulings of the Scholars concerning the Tableegh.

Book Review: Qatf al-Janaa ad-Daanee

Qatf al-Janaa ad-Daanee Sharh Muqaddimah Risaalah Ibn Abee Zayd al-Qayrawaanee
By: ash-Shaykh ‘Abdul-Muhsin Hamad al-‘Abbaad al-Badr
Printed by: Daar al-Aaathaar
Hardback
Pages: 184

The Muhaddith of Madinah, ash-Shaykh ‘Abdul-Muhsin al-‘Abbaad, may Allah protect him from every evil and harm, explains Ibn Abee Zayd’s classical text on ‘Aqeedah. The text itself is part of a bigger work of Aboo ‘Abdullah Aboo Muhammad bin Abee Zayd from al-Qayrawaan(died in 386 A.H.) entitled ar-Risaalah al-Fiqihiyyah. Ibn Zayd was the Imam of the Maalakiyyah of his time and known as Maalik Sagheer (the little Imam Maalik).

Shaykh ‘Abdul-Muhsin gives an introduction, a short biography of the author, and then ten points concerning the creed of the four Imams and answers some doubts of the ‘Ashaairah and other deviant sects. Interestingly, a lot of what we hear Hamza Yusuf, Zaid Shaakir, and Suhaib Webb propagating in the name of the ‘Asharees there in the West is dismantled in the Shaykh’s knowledge-based points. Then after this the Shaykh includes ash-Shaykh Ahmad bin Musharraf al-Ahsaa’ee al-Maalikee’s (died in 1285 A.H.) poem form of the text. The full text is also included as reference.

The Shaykh’s explanation is conveyed in simple Arabic and could be benefited by student of knowledge or layperson. May Allah reward the Shaykh for clarifying the creed of the Salaf. The printing ends with a detailed index of the entire book.

While the font is nice and the layout is good the quality of the book is poor. The inside of the binding is falling apart and the book was cut crooked. When I purchased it, I sifted through a stack of them and found all of them to be of poor quality, I actually picked the best looking one. I bought it new from Daar-ut-Tadmurriyyah here in Riyadh.

Book Review: al-Asi’lat-ul-Wasitiyyah ‘alaa al-‘Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah

al-Asi’lat-ul-Wasitiyyah ‘alaa al-‘Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah li-Shaykh-il-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah
Paperback
Author: Dr. Khaalid Naasir bin Sa’eed Aali Husayn
Pages: 72

This is an excellent question and answer format of Ibn Taymiyyah’s al-‘Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah. The author Dr. Khaalid Naasir bin Sa’eed Aali Husayn is a member of the Teaching Organization in the Islamic University of Muhammad bin Sa’ood in the Department of Usool-ud-Deen in Riyadh. He has compiled the text into 88 questions and answers. The style of Arabic is simple and the printing is of high quality.

Each section of the text is highlighted in black bold font, and the questions are in red. There is an index of the questions at the end of the book and a second index of the topics.

Book Review: Tadhkeer an-Naabiheen

Tadhkeer an-Naabiheen
Author: Rabee’ bin Haadee al-Madkhalee
Publisher: Majaalis al-Hudaa
Pages: 496

If you like biographies of the scholars, then without a doubt you will enjoy this work. The former head of the Sunnah department of the Islamic University of Madeenah, Dr. Rabee’ bin Haadee al-Madkhalee, put together a short yet beneficial biography of over 111 scholars beginning with Ibn al-Mundhir who died in 318 A.H. to Muqbil ibn Haadee al-Waadi’ee who died in 1422 A.H.

Dr. Rabee’ gives an insightful introduction covering the knowledge of the Ahlul-Hadeeth (the People of the Prophetic narrations) and their importance. The book contains an index as well as an index of all the Ahaadeeth that appear in the text.

Book Review: Majmoo’at-ut-Tawheed

Knowledge-based from beginning to end, this is the well-known Majmoo’at-ut-Tawheed an-Najdiyyah, a compilation of treatises focusing on Tawheed. The majority are written by Shaykh-ul-Islaam Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhaab, may Allah have mercy upon him, but there are also others written by the Shaykh’s grandsons as well as other scholars of an-Najd.

All of the short treatises are included such as Kitaab-ut-Tawheed, Kashf-ush-Shubuhaat, Tafseer Kalimat-it-Tawheed, Thalaath Masaail, Fee Talqeen Usool al-‘Aqeedah lil-‘Awaam, and other treatises of the Shaykh on prayer, Tafseer, and Manhaj.

This collection is a popular print that can be found at many used bookstores in Riyadh and I have even see it in some of the retail bookstores such as al-‘Ubaykaan and Jareer. It was first printed by King ‘Abdul-‘Azeez and then printed again by order of King Fahd, may Allah have mercy on them both.

This printing is hard back and has 636 pages. It is of high quality and only cost me 15 Riyals. I do not see the name of any printer or company responsible for its printing.

Book Review: as-Salaah khalfa al-Malakiyyah

Al-Masa’lah al-Khilaafiyyah fee as-Salaati khalfa al-Malakiyyah
Written by Ahmad bin ‘Abdul-Haleem bin Taymiyyah
Published by Daar al-Imaam Ahmad
Pages: 55

Shaykh-ul-Islaam, Ibn Taymiyyah (661 – 728 A.H.), may Allah have mercy upon him, wrote a short and knowledge-based response to those who hold that prayer behind one who follows the Fiqh opinions of Imam Maalik is not valid and that whoever prays behind one, his prayer is incorrect. The foreword is written by Dr. Muhammad ‘Ali Firkoos, Professor of the college of Islamic Sciences in the University of Algeria. The Verifier and Commentator Shaykh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ‘Abdul-Majeed Jumu’ah al-Jazaairee, gives an enlightening introduction, proof that the text was written by Ibn Taymiyyah, and provides manuscript copies of the text. His verification and notes are extremely detailed and sound against those who hold this strange view.

Book Review: The Kabaair Texts

It is very important for Muslims and non-Muslims alike to understand the Islamic concept of sin and their levels. The early and later scholars wrote many books on sin and focused on explaining them to the Muslims so that they may avoid them or repent from them.

The following is my review of two well-known texts that focus on al-Kabaair or the Major Sins of Islam.

Kitaab-ul-Kabaair written by al-Haafith Abee ‘Abdillah Muhammad bin Ahmad bin ‘Uthmaan adh-Dhahabee

This work has been published by many book publishers and can easily be found online and available in PDF form. I literally had to sift through several printings at the used bookstore so I won’t go into the copy I have just some basic info on the text. This text was written by al-Haafith adh-Dhahabee who was born in 674 A.H. and died in 738 A.H. Imam adh-Dhahabee lists 76 major sins in Islam with evidences from the Quran, the statements of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and some statements of the companions and people of knowledge. This printing as most of the others I noticed contain verifications, introductions, footnotes, copies of the original manuscripts, and indexes.


The second work is from Shaykh-ul-Islam Muhammad bin ‘Abdul-Wahhaab entitled al-Kabaair. My copy was printed for free distribution by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in hardback form. The Shaykh lists 125 major sins. He titles the section and gives the proof from the Quran and the narrations of the Prophet, peace be upon him. This copy was verified and checked by Dr. Baasim Faysal al-Jawaabirah, professor of Hadeeth and Usool-ud-Deen in Riyadh. A concise biography of the Shaykh is given along with a detailed index of the subject matter.

The other Kabaair text that I know of is Ibn Hajar al-Haythamee’s al-Kabaair, but I do not have a copy of it in published form. Nuh Hah Meem Keller included it in his translation of Reliance of the Traveler where he translated it and paired it side-by-side with the Arabic text, so whoever wants to refer to it can do so.

Book Review: Sunan ad-Daarimee

Sunan ad-Daarimee
Author al-Imam ad-Daarimee
Verification by Dr. Mustafaa Deeb al-Baghaa
2 Volumes
Published by Daar al-Qalam Damascus

The Sunan of ad-Daarimee is considered one of the nine books of Hadeeth collections of the statements and actions of the Prophet, peace be upon him. It is also known as Musnad ad-Daarimee written by Aboo Muhammad ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan bin al-Fadhl bin Bahraam bin ‘Abdus-Samad at-Tameemee ad-Daarimee born in the year 181 A.H. and died in Samarqand (in modern day Uzbekistan) in the year 255 A.H. He was 74 years old.


Many scholars of Haadeeth have narrated from him such as al-Bukhaaree in other writings than his Saheeh, Aboo Daawud, ar-Tirmidhee, an-Nisaa’ee, Imam Ahmad, and others. Imam Muslim collected 73 narrations from him in his Saheeh.

Imam ad-Daarimee divided his Sunan into 23 sections known as Kitaab, and then added topics concerning the section. His introduction to the Sunan contains very important statements of the Salaf concerning seeking knowledge.

This printing is of good quality and contains an introduction by the verifier, a short biography, copies of the manuscripts used, and a detailed index. The only problem I have with this printing is that there are no vowel signs on the narrations. There is another printing of the Sunan by Daar-ul-Mughnee in Riyadh with a verification by Husayn Saleem Asad ad-Daaraanee, where the narrations are fully voweled. I have it in PDF format but have not been able to find it in the used bookstores here in Riyadh.

Book Review: al-Jaami' li-Khutabi 'Arafah

Al-Jaami’ li-Khutabi ‘Arafah
By al-Mufti ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin ‘Abdillah Aali ash-Shaykh
Printed by Madaar al-Watan
Pages: 284

This is a hardcover book containing all of the sermons given by the current Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the day of ‘Arafah during Hajj. It covers each sermon he gave from 1402 to 1411 A.H. Every quranic verse and prophetic narration is verified and its source listed with additional notes of benefit from the verifier Baadr bin Muhammad al-Wuhaybee. This book is given out free by the Kingdom, but from time to time people sell these books to the used store outlets where they in turn are sold, as is the case with my copy which I purchased for 11 Saudi Riyals. The book is very nice and of high quality, in addition to side notes of each sermon that appear on the sides for easy reference.

The Mufti, may Allah bless him and reward him, wrote a very beneficial introduction in which he explains the importance of the sermon of ‘Arafah and how the Prophet, peace be upon him addressed his companions, may Allah be pleased with them. He also points out that the Prophet, peace be upon him, is the leader of those who give the 'Arafah sermons, and his Sunnah will always be emulated in preaching to the pilgrims during Hajj.

Book Review: Muhaddhab Kitaab-it-Tawheed

Muhaddhab Kitaab-it-Tawheed
Written by ash-Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan
Summarized by Sa’d ‘Abdur-Rahmaan al-Husayn
Printed by Daar Ibn Hazm
Pages 115

This is a paperback booklet that summarizes points of benefit from Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan’s bigger book entitled Kittab-ut-Tawheed. The book is divided into four Baab: Tawheed is the basis of the Religion, al-Walaa wal-Baraa, Concerning what is obligatory to adhere to concerning the Messenger, peace be upon him, his household, his companions, and the rulers, and what negates at-Tawheed. Each Baab is then divided into sections that outline each topic.

Book Review: Miftaah al-Hifth li-Tulaab

Miftaah al-Hifth li-Tulaab
Collected and Arranged by Aboo Zakariyaa Salaah-ud-Deen al-Jeebootee
Printed by Daar-ul-Athaar
Pages 80

This is a compilation of 150 small narrations that are found in al-Bukhaaree and Muslim. It was compiled and arranged by a student of Daar-ul-Hadeeth in Dammaaj, Yemen. There is a foreword by ash-Shaykh Yahyaa al-Hajooree with his verification. Each narration is short and easy to memorize. Most of these narrations cover the issues of Imaan, manners, abstinence of the worldly affairs, etc. Without a doubt this is a very beneficial book to have for Hadeeth memorization.

Book Review: Texts used for Shaykh Fawzaan’s class on Tawheed

In the last two posts, we covered the texts that Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan teaches on Saturday and Sunday. On Mondays the Shaykh teaches Tafseer. He doesn’t use any specific text, he just teaches from memory. Tuesday is the Shaykh’s last class and focuses on Tawheed.

Since I have been here, the Shaykh has taught the following three treatises on Tawheed:


One: Tajreed at-Tawheed al-Mufeed by al-Imam al-‘Allaamah Ahmad bin ‘Alee al-Maqreezee (766-845 A.H.) published by Daar ‘Aalam al-Fawaaid consisting of 112 pages. The copy I have has an introduction, a biography, and brief outline of the treatise in addition to a copy of the original manuscript. The text has been verified by ‘Alee bin Muhammad al-‘Imraan using several old manuscripts.

This beneficial treatise focuses on the inner teachings of Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah and al-Uloohiyyah. I have come across an excellent translation of it here.


Two: Tatheer-ul-I’tiqaad ‘an Adraan al-Ilhaad, written by al-Imam, Muhammad bin Ismaa’eel as-San’aanee (D. 1182 A.H.), printed by Daar-ut-Tawheed, consisting of 48 pages. This short text covers 5 important principles regarding at-Tawheed, then refutes the claims of the grave worshipers in a question and answer style that Imam as-San’aanee is well known for.

I translated the introduction and 5 principles years ago, but I never completed it. Maybe someone else has done it.


Three: ad-Durrur an-Nadheed fee Ikhlaas Kalimat-it-Tawheed, by al-Imam Muhammad bin ‘Alee ash-Shawkaanee, printed by Daar Ibn Khuzaymah, consisting of 139 pages. The Shaykh just started this text which is another series refuting the grave worshipers and explaining the issues of at-Tawwasul and ash-Shafaa’ah. The Shaykh has given three classes so far and stopped a couple of weeks ago for the summer vacation.

The Shaykh teaches the text and then moves on to the next one after he finishes it. This is one of my favorite classes and made me realize the immense importance of studying and learning Tawheed in a time when many Muslims and non-Muslims alike are distancing themselves from the Creator and faith.