Book Review: My First Ramadan Children’s Book

Yesterday, my daughter rushed home from school to show me a book that she had checked out. She was excited to find more and more books about Islam and Muslims. She showed me My First Ramadan written by Karen Katz. It is a 28 page book with a nice story about a Muslim boy’s first Ramadan fast. The pages are beautifully illustrated and colorful. There were some things in there that were suspect such as describing the mosque, “The mosque looks beautiful standing tall against the starry night. It is like magic.” “But daddy, I thought magic is Haraam (prohibited) for Muslims to practice.” I had to explain to my daughter, may Allah bless her and her brothers and sisters, that the author was merely trying to use a colorful word to describe the intense beauty of the Masjid and that she didn’t mean actual magic that is forbidden for any Muslim boy or girl to practice. “Someone should tell her that magic is Haraam for us” is all my daughter could say. Overall it is a nice book that I found online available for sale cheaper than the retail price. You can even take a look inside at Amazon.com.

Book Review: Eleven Women and Their Husbands

Eleven Women and Their Husbands

An Explanation of the Hadeeth of Umm Zar’a
Written by Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdul-Kareem Al-Qazweenee (580 H)
Translated by Hisham Assing
Published by Message of Islam
Pages: 32

This is an excellent translation of the Hadeeth of the eleven women who spoke regarding their husbands. It goes into the linguistic aspects of the text and in explaining the eloquent forms used by the women in describing their husbands in easy to understand English.

Book Review: al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahhaawiyyah

al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahhaawiyyah bi-Tarteebihaa al-Jadeed wa as-Sahl ‘alaa Tulaab-il-‘Ilm wal-Huffaath
Arranged by Majdee Aboo ‘Areesh
Printed by Daar al-Bayaariq
Pages: 40
This is a new arrangement of the text of at-Tahhaawiyyah arranged by category for ease of memorization. The text is arranged in twelve categories and referenced in an index format at the end of the book. This is a great book that can be used for an ‘Aqeedah class.

Book Review: Sharh al-Usool as-Sittah

Sharh al-Usool as-Sittah
By ash-Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan
Printed by ad-Daar al-Athariyyah
Pages: 51

This is a short and beneficial explanation of Shaykh-ul-Islaam Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhaab’s al-Usool as-Sittah explained by our Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan. The print is good and the text is separated from the explanation and numbered to keep track of what the Shaykh is explaining.

Book Review: Mukhtasar al-Jaami’ fee al-Asmaa was-Sifaat

Mukhtasar al-Jaami’ fee al-Asmaa was-Sifaat
By: Aboo ‘Azeez Hasan al-Marwa’ee
Printed by: Daar al-Aathaar
Pages: 111

This is an abridged version of the very beneficial work on the names and attributes of Allah entitled al-Jaami’ fee al-Asmaa was-Sifaat. There are three forewords, the first by the late Shaykh Ahmad an-Najmee (rahimahullah) the scholar of the South of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the second by ash-Shaykh Yahyaa al-Hajooree, the successor to Daar-ul-Hadeeth in Dammaaj, Yemen and the third from ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah al-Imaam, founder and director of Daar-ul-Hadeeth in Ma’bar, Yemen. The book covers the names and attributes using the verses from the Quran and Sunnah as proof. It even goes in to detail affirming Allah’s anger, patience, happiness, etc. This book is ideal for learning about Allah and developing a relationship with Him by understanding His names and attributes.

Book Review: Text of Aqeedat-us-Salaf wa Ashaab-ul-Hadeeth

Aqeedat-us-Salaf wa Ashaab-ul-Hadeeth
By al-Imaam, al-Muhaddith, Shaykh-ul-Islaam Aboo Uthmaan Ismaaeel bin Abdir-Rahmaan as-Saaboonee (373 -449 A.H.)
Printed by Daar Tuwayq
Pages: 118

This is from the Silsilah Mutoon Taalib al-Ilm series that is very popular in the Kingdom. They are printed specifically for the students of knowledge to use when they sit in the study circles. There are lines for notes and pages to log which scholar taught the text along with the dates and Masjid taught at.

New Publication coming in Two weeks! Allah willing! ‏‏

“The Veil of the Muslim Woman and her Dress in Salât”

by Sheikh-ul-Islâm Ibn Taymiyyah which has its verification by the Muhaddith of our times Sheikh Muhammad Nasrideen Al-Albaani

This book before you entitled “The Veil of the Muslim Woman and her Dress in Salât” by Sheikh-ul-Islâm Ibn Taymiyyah which has its verification by the Muhaddith of our times Sheikh Muhammad Nasrideen Al-Albaani may Allâh have mercy on them both, gives insight on the issue of the covering of the Muslim men and women inside the Salât, as well as outside of it and it explains in detail the rulings on the obligation of veiling base off the difference of opinions from the pious predecessors surrounding the matter of what is considered to be apparent for the women to expose in the public eye to the non-Mahram and to her family members. The Sheikh gives commentary on Sheikh-ul-Islâm Ibn Taymiyyah’s book with page references for the reader to evaluate the positions on this matter.

This book also clears up false allegations that have been flung at Sheikh Al-Albaani concerning his opinion in regards to the veiling obligation or not veiling of the Muslim woman which you may have heard of from the general layman such as “Veiling is a difference of an opinion and Sheikh Al-Albaani says that you do not have to veil, but in the same breath you would hear them say his wife and daughters veil.” What type of counter balancing is this?

The Sheikh clearly explains his position in this matter adamantly with his evidence, as well as the opinion of others to show their contradictions when needed. Whether, it be a particular Madhhab i.e., school of thought or contemporary counterpart you will find much benefit from this work on this subject matter which you may not find in any English or Arabic books for that matter which covers this topic in such great detail.

Book Review: al-Fawaaid al-Muntaqaah min Sharh Kitaab at-Tawheed

al-Fawaaid al-Muntaqaah min Sharh Kitaab at-Tawheed
By ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen
Published by Daar Tuwayq
Pages: 94

Like the last book review that I presented by Shaykh al-‘Uthaymeen (rahimahullah) this is another compilation by some of the students of knowledge who compiled 97 benefits from the Shaykh’s two volume explanation of Shaykh-ul-Islaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab’s Kitaab-ut-Tawheed. These benefits are shorter than the previous benefits on al-‘Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah but still filled with immense understandings that Shaykh al-‘Uthaymeen was blessed to teach to the Ummah.

Book Review: Kitaab-ut-Tawheed

Kitaab-ut-Tawheed min Saheeh al-Bukhaaree
By Aboo ‘Abdullah Muhammad bin Isma’eel al-Bukhaaree (rahimahullah)
Printed by Daar-ut-Tawheed li-Nashr
Pages: 72
This is a nice copy of Kitaab-ut-Tawheed from the Saheeh al-Bukhaaree that covers all of the narrations but without the Isnaad. There is a foreword by ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin Hasan Aali ash-Shaykh.

Book Review: Min Aqwaal Samaahah ash-Shaykh Abdul-Azeez Ibn Baaz fee ad-Da’wah

Min Aqwaal Samaahah ash-Shaykh Abdul-Azeez Ibn Baaz fee ad-Da’wah
Prepared by Ziyaad bin Muhammad as-Sa’doon
Published by Daar-ul-Want lil-Nashr
Pages: 119

This is an extremely important and beneficial compilation of the statements of our beloved Shaykh, the late Mufti, ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz concerning the affairs of ad-Da’wah, missionary work in Islam. There are over 39 topics pertaining to Da’wah that were collected from the Shaykh’s colossal Majmoo’-ul-Fataawaa, 2nd Edition printed by al-Jam’eeyah Tahfeeth-ul-Quraan al-Kareem bil-Washm. This is an old printing as I found it at a book store in Riyadh selling some pretty outdated books. I happened upon this gem and used some of my gas money to get it. I have also begun translating sections of this book and posting it on my Qawl Sadeed blog. I will not stop until the whole booklet is fully translated with the permission of Allah. If it is requested I may try to get it printed but if not for sure I will make it available as a free e-book, Allah willing.

Book Review: Al-Mi’awiyyah

Al-Mi’awiyyah min Sharh al-‘Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah
By al-‘Allaamah ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen
Published by Madaar al-Watan li-Nashr
Pages: 80

This is a collection of one hundred benefits derived from Shaykh al-‘Uthaymeen’s explanation of the text of al-‘Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah. It was compiled by two students of knowledge which includes a foreword by ash-Shaykh ‘Abdullah bin Maani’ al-‘Utaybee who endorses the study of the text. The benefits are numbered and presented in a simple format for ease of studying and teaching and even for memorization.

Book Review: Natharaat wa Ta’qeebaat ‘alaa Maa fee Kitaab as-Salafiyyah

Natharaat wa Ta’qeebaat ‘alaa Maa fee Kitaab as-Salafiyyah li-Muhammad Sa’eed Ramadhaan min al-Hafawaat

By ash-Shaykh Dr. Saalih al-Fawzaan
Printed by Daar-ul-Want li-Nashr
Pages: 74

This is a response by our Shaykh al-‘Allaamah Dr. Saalih al-Fawzaan, may Allah protect our teacher from every harm and evil, to the book entitled as-Salafiyyah Marhalah Zamaniyyah Mubaarakah Laa Madhhab Islaamee (as-Salafiyyah is the stage of a specific blessed time not an Islamic school of thought) written by Dr. Muhammad Sa’eed Ramadhaan al-Bootee, may Allah guide him and all of us to what pleases Allah. I picked up this precious gem at a hole in the wall book store in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E for 5 Dirham. It was oddly sitting in a stack of books by the very author that the Shaykh refutes! The Shaykh goes through the book highlighting 41 points of error contained within Dr. Muhammad al-Bootee’s book. The Shaykh refutes in a knowledge-based manner filled with evidences from the Book and the Sunnah. May Allah reward our Shaykh immensely and place this on the scale of his good deeds.

Book Review: Tamaam-ul-Minnah bi-Sharh Usool-us-Sunnah

Tamaam-ul-Minnah bi-Sharh Usool-us-Sunnah
By al-Haafith al-Humaydee
Explained by ash-Shaykh ‘Abdullah ‘Abdir-Raheem al-Bukhaaree
Printed by Daar-ul-Istiqaamah
Pages: 96

This is an excellent explanation of Aboo Bakr al-Haafith ‘Abdullah bin az-Zubayr bin ‘Eeesaa al-Qurashee al-Humaydee al-Makkee he was the Muhaddith of Makkah who died in the year 219 A.H. Imaam al-Bukhaaree used to narrate from him in his Saheeh as well as Imaam Muslim, may Allah have mercy upon them both. It was said of him, "al-Humaydee was the Mufti of the People of Makkah and their Muhaddith, he was to the people of al-Hijaaz concerning the Sunnah what Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal was to the people of al-'Iraaq.”

It is the product of ash-Shaykh ‘Abdullah ‘Abdir-Raheem al-Bukhaaree assistant professor of Hadeeth in the College of Hadeeth in the Islamic University of Madeenah. He explained this text over a span of a month via telephone. After the recording it was transcribed and prepared for print.

This is the first printing and unfortunately it has a lot of typos in the ‘Iraab and a lot of mistakes in the Quranic verses. Other than this deficiency the book is very beneficial and a must have for everyone who seeks knowledge. Included within this explanation is a background of the text a small biography of the author and a bit by bit elucidation of the text. The text itself is presented at the beginning of the book for those who want to memorize it.

Read the Translated Text Here

Book Review: al-Qawl as-Sadeed fee ar-Radd 'alaa man Ankara Taqseem ut-Tawheed

al-Qawl as-Sadeed fee ar-Radd 'alaa man Ankara Taqseem ut-Tawheed
(The Decisive Word concerning the Refutation of the one who rejects the division of Tawheed)
Written by Dr. ‘Abdur-Razzaaq bin ‘Abdil-Muhsin al-Badr
Printed by Daar Ibn-ul-Qayyim & Daar Ibn ‘Affaan
Pages: 131

This is Dr. ‘Abdur-Razzaaq bin ‘Abdil-Muhsin al-Badr’s excellent refutation to Hasan ‘Alee as-Saqqaaf’s book: at-Tandeed biman ‘Addada at-Tawheed Ibtaal Muhaawalah at-Tathleeth fee at-Tawheed wal-‘Aqeedah al-Islaamiyyah wherein the latter wrote against the divisions of Tawheed into three categories and tried to equate them to the Christian concept of the trinity! There is an excellent foreword by our Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan defending the categories of Tawheed and explaining their roots within the Book and the Sunnah.

Book Release: The Creed of Ahlus-Sunnah on The Mahdi

Almuflihoon.com Presents to You This Ramadhan:

The Creed of Ahlus-Sunnah on The Mahdi
By : Sheikh Abdulmuhsin Al-’Abbaad
128 Pages , Perfect Bound
Inside: Nice, Attractive, Yellow Paper
Price: 10 $

An Amazing Knowledge-Based Suprise for your Ramadhan.

Alhamdulillaah it is a pleasure to publish this very important book. For the first time in the English language we have a reliable book discussing this topic. Authored by a mountain of knowledge.

About the Author:

Sheikh Abdulmuhsin al-‘Abbaad is one of those few scholars who many scholars refer to him as their teacher.

He is the former president of the Islamic University Madeenah, and was the first person who held the first class when the University was opened! and has since been teaching there for the past 50 years.!!

He also still has regular lectures at the Prophetic Masjid -where he recently finished his explanation on the 6 major books of Hadeeth-.

May Allaah bless the Sheikh and elongate his life [he is almost 80 years]!


About the Book:

The topic of the book is critical.
So many have expressed their beliefs and opinions on this topic: those who say it is an innovation in Islam, those who say it is ‘symbolism’, the conspiracy theorists and their theories, those who have out-rightly rejected it!
And as such, do not be shaken by the whims and doubts.

This book expounds –with some detail- the correct belief [with proofs], and also refutes & responds to the common allegations of those who have wrong belief in this issue.


Enlighten yourself with authentic knowledge.


The book is available today, to order send your request to bookrdrs@gmail.com

….
Please Spread the Good News.

Book Review: Shuroot Laa Ilaha Illa Allah

I picked up this little gem when I visited Shaykh Rislaan’s village of Subk Ahad in Manoofiyyah. I used to attend his Friday sermons when I lived in nearby Shibeen al-Kowm. I bought it from the Maktabah that his sons run called Maktabah Daar-ul-Furqaan next to the Masjid where the Shaykh gives his study circles. They have many good books from the Scholars at very good prices. They also print the Shaykh’s books and sell them.

This small treatise is about 45 pages and explains the meaning and conditions of Laa Ilaha Illa Allah along with the ten nullifiers or Nawaaqidh. It contains the same eloquent style that the Shaykh is known for.

I think I may have paid one Egyptian pound for this book. This is an excellent text to use for study circles for both new Muslims and Muslims not familiar with their religion. May Allah reward the Shaykh for this well written treatise.

Book Review: Sharh Hisn-il-Muslim

This is an explanation of the well known Duaa’ book Hisn-il- Muslim authored by Majdy bin Abdil-Wahhaab Ahmad. The book was written by Dr. Sa’eed bin Alee bin Wahf al-Qahtaanee who also writes the introduction and verified the explanation to his book along with adding other benefical notes.

The book is 238 pages and only sells for 8 Saudi Riyals here in the Kingdom. The text of the Duaa’ is placed first and then a brief explanation of the Duaa’ is given.

I also was able to get a larger version of the Hisn which I posted here for reference. You can compare it to the pocket sized booklet that is sold all over the world.

Book Review: Mukhtasar al-‘Uloow

This is an abridged version of al-Haafith Shams-ud-Deen adh-Dhahabee’s Kitaab-ul-‘Arsh verified by ash-Shaykh Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen al-Albaanee. It was published by al-Maktab al-Islaamee and was the third printing of the text printed in 1993. There is an introduction by both Ustadh Zuhayr ash-Shaawayish and Shaykh al-Albaanee. This book corrects the belief held since the time of the Mu’tazilah regarding the ‘Uloow of Allah above His creation using evidences from the Book and the Sunnah. There is also a section within Shaykh al-Albaanee’s intro that covers three most misunderstood issues concerning Allah the Almighty: at-Tashbeeh (Likening Him to creation), al-Jihaah (His direction), and al-Makaan (His position).

It starts with the statements of the Prophet- peace be upon him- then goes on to the statements of the Companions, then their students, and then those who followed them. One area in particular that caught my eye was the section of the statement of Aboo Haneefah: It was related by us from Aboo Mutee’ al-Hakam bin ‘Abdillah al-Balkhee, author of al-Fiqh al-Akbar who said: I asked Aboo Haneefah about the one who says, ‘I don’t affirm that my Lord is in the heavens or upon the earth.’ He (Aboo Haneefah) said: “He has disbelieved because Allah the Most High has said {ar-Rahmaan (the Most Merciful) established Himself above the throne} and His throne is above the heavens.” I said to him, “He also says that I affirm that He established Himself upon the throne but I don’t know if the throne is in the heavens or upon the earth!” He said: “If he denies that He is upon the heavens then he has disbelieved.”

Shaykh al-Albaanee goes on to mention that in this Athar there are many benefits and from them is the proof that the well known text al-Fiqh al-Akbar was not actually written by Imaam Aboo Haneefah but rather by Aboo Mutee’ who was one of the major students of Aboo Haneefah as he was mentioned in al-Meezaan and it was attributed to Aboo Mutee’ and not Aboo Haneefah as we find the later blind followers of Aboo Haneefah claiming today.

All of the quotes are referenced along with their chains of transmission proving their authenticity and soundness amongst the scholars of Islam.

Book Review: Risaalah fee Ithbaat al-Istiwaa wal-Fawqiyyah

This is a treatise written by al-‘Allaamah Aboo Muhammad ‘Abdullah bin Yusoof al-Juwaynee may Allah have mercy upon him. His Nisbah is attributed to Juwayn which was a large suburb in Neesaaboor. He was the Shaykh of the Shaafi’i scholars of his time. He was praised by many scholars such as Shaykh-ul-Islaam Aboo Uthmaan as-Saaboonee, al-Haafith Ibn Assaakir, Ibn al-Jawzee, and Imaam adh-Dhahabee. The Shaykh died on Dhul-Qa’dah in the year 438 A.H. Others have said he died in 434 A.H. in Neesaaboor.

Shaykh Aboo Saalih al-Mua’dhin said, “Shaykh Aboo Muhammad al-Juwaynee fell terribly ill for 28 days. He advised me to be in charge of washing his body and preparing the funeral so when he died I washed him. When he was being wrapped in his funeral garments I saw his right hand all the way up to his armpit glowing with an immense light without any defect. It was shining as the moon shines. I pondered for a moment and then I said to myself this was due to the blessings of the rulings that he gave.” Wafayaat-ul-A’ayaan 3/47-48 and Tabaqaat-ash-Shaafi’iyyah al-Kubraa 5/75

This is an old printing published by Daar Tareeq in Riyaadh in 1419 A.H. I found it in one of the used bookstores here in Riyaadh.

The treatise is very brief with a verification by Dr. Ahmad Mu’aadh Haqqi who references the sources for the prophetic narrations used as well as explaining some difficult words or expressions. Here al-‘Allaamah al-Juwaynee (rahimahullah) brings the evidences from the Book and the Sunnah to establish the proof for three major issues; the ‘Uloww of Allah, His Fawqiyyah, and His Istiwaa. He goes over each issue in detail and brings evidences against those Shaafi’iyyah in his time who did not affirm these three issues or who explained them in a way that went against the explanation of the Salaf.

Book Reviews: Two Books about Shaykh al-Albaanee

Juhood ash-Shaykh al-Albaanee fee al-Hadeeth Riwayatan wa Diraayatan


This book was written by ‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin Muhammad bin Saalih al-‘Ayzaree who authored this work as the dissertation for his masters at the University of Sanaa’, Yemen. It is a pretty big book at 250 pages not including the index and source references. It was published by Maktabah Rushd.

The author did an excellent job and he includes a very comprehensive biography of the Shaykh. He lists the Shaykh’s works and then goes into detail about how the Shaykh used to grade the various levels of narrations. He also goes into the various rulings that he gave that conflicted with other mainstream rulings regarding women wearing gold and covering the face and other important issues.

This second book is the first that I have seen available in the English language. It is DarusSalam’s compilation of the Shaykh’s life. For 15 Saudi Riyaals its not that bad and was a good read. I have several other biographies of the Shaykh and found the translators referencing them in this work. Some of the English words are not the easiest to understand but for the English speaker it is a must have book. I found the link for the book at their online store which includes a sneak preview of the book.

On a finally note reference my old post on another Shaykh al-Albaanee biography book that I did some years back, I hope it will be of benefit.