Tag Archives: Ibn Kathir

Dec 30 2010

Shaykh al-Albaanee: Recommends Books For A Young Person That Is Starting Out In His Islaamic Studies

Question: What are the books you recommend a young person that is starting out in his Islaamic studies to read?

Answer: If he is a novice, then from the books of Fiqh, we advise him to read ” Fiqh As-Sunnah” of Sayyid Saabiq, while seeking assistance from some of its references, such as ” Subul-us-Salaam” (of Imaam As-Sana’aanee, rahimahullaah). And if he looks into ” Tamaam-ul-Mannah” (of Al-Albaanee) then that will be stronger for him. And I advise him to read ” Ar-Rawdat-un-Nadiyyah” (of Sideeq Hasan Khaan).

As for the subject of Tafseer, then he should habitually read from the book ” Tafseer Al-Qur’aan-ul-‘Adheem” of Ibn Katheer – even though it is somewhat long – for it is the most authentic from the books of Tafseer today.

Then, on the subject of religious exhortation and heart-softening narrations, he should read the book “Riyaad-us-Saaliheen” of Imaam An-Nawawee.

Then, with regard to the books related to Creed, I advise him to read the book ” Sharh Al-‘Aqeedat-ut-Tahaawiyyah” of Ibn Abee Al-‘Izz Al-Hanafee. And he should seek assistance, also, from my comments and explanations to it.

Then, he should make it his customary practice to study from the books of Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah and his student Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah, may Allaah have mercy on them. For I hold them to be from the rare and unique Muslim scholars that have treaded upon the methodology of the Salaf As-Saalih (righteous predecessors) in their understanding, while having Taqwaa and righteousness. And we do not purify anyone over Allaah.

Shaykh al-Albaanee (may Allaah have mercy on him)
[Al-Asaalah, Issue #5]

Jun 4 2010

Imam al-Mizzi Imprisoned by the Ash’aris for Reading out Imam Bukhari’s Book

The following incident is a clear proof that the Ash’aris are at odds with the Aqidah of the Salaf and the Imams of Ahl al-Hadith, such as Imam al-Bukhari. It is for this reason that they imprisoned the erudite Hadith scholar, Abul-Jamal al-Mizzi for reading out Khalq Af’al al-’Ibad, a famous creedal work by Imam al-Bukhari:

Ibn Kathir said in al-Bidayah:
“Some jurists were jealous of Ibn Taymiyyah because he had contacts in the Government, and because he single-handedly took care of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, and because people listened to what he had to say, and because they loved him, and because of the great number of his followers, and because he stood for the truth, and because of his knowledge and action.

In Damascus, a lot of tension arose due to the absence of the vice Head of State [who was in Egypt at the time]. The [Ash’ari] judge in Damascus ordered for some disciples of Ibn Taymiyyah to be punished.

In the same period, it so happened that al-Mizzi read a chapter refuting the Jahmiyyah from al-Bukhari’s Khalq Af’aal al-Ibaad under the Nasr Dome [in the Umayyad Mosque]… Some [Ash’ari] jurists who were present there became angry and complained to the Shafi’i [Ash’ari] judge, Ibn Sasraa (??? ????) who was an enemy of his. Al-Mizzi was therefore jailed.

News reached Ibn Taymiyyah and he was saddened. He went to jail and had him taken out. He then went to the palace and found the judge there. They argued over al-Mizzi, so Ibn Sasraa took an oath that he would return al-Mizzi to jail or else he would step down as judge. [News reached Egypt], and the deputy Head of State had him re-imprisoned to keep the [Ash’ari] judge happy, but had al-Mizzi jailed nearby him in the city of Cusae [Asyut, Egypt]. Then the Deputy Head released him.

When the Deputy Head returned, Ibn Taymiyyah told him what had happened to him and his disciples in his absence. The Deputy Head was deeply saddened and announced in Damascus that nobody should debate in theology, and whoever does so would have his wealth seized, his blood shed and his house and shop razed to the ground. The situation therefore cooled down…”

Ibn Hajar said in al-Durar al-Kaaminah:
“In Rajab 712 A.H., al-Mizzi read a chapter from al-Bukhari’s Khalq Af’aal al-Ibaad in the Umayyad Mosque. Some Shafi’is [i.e. Ash’aris] heard him and became vexed. They remarked: “We are the ones being targeted by this”. They took him to court by a Shafi’i [Ash’ari] judge and he ordered for him to be jailed. News reached Ibn Taymiyyah, so he proceeded to the prison and had him released with his own hands… ”

“Al-Mizzi started to read out al-Bukhari’s Khalq Af’aal al-Ibaad, in which there is a chapter in refutation of the Jahmis. Some people [Ash’aris] became angry and remarked: “We are the ones being targeted here”. News reached the Shafi’i [Ash’ari] judge that very day and he ordered for him to be incarcerated. Ibn Taymiyyah went to get him released, but the deputy Head of State had him returned to prison. Later on, al-Mizzi was released…”

Al-Sakhawi said in al-Daw’ al-Laami’:
“… al-Mizzi was tested due to his reading out of al-Bukhari’s Khalq Af’aal al-Ibaad…”

Saheefah.org