An summarised text detailing the rules governing the Criticism of Hadeeth. From its introduction -'A hadith (pl. ahadith) is composed of two parts: the matn (text) and the isnad (chain of reporters). A text may seem to be logical and reasonable but it needs an authentic isnad with reliable reporters to be acceptable; 'Abdullah b. al-Mubarak (d. 181 AH) is reported to have said, "The isnad is part of the religion: had it not been for the isnad, whoever wished to would have said whatever he liked." During the lifetime of the Prophet (SAS) and after his death, his Companions (Sahabah) used to refer to him when quoting his sayings. The Successors (Tabi'un) followed suit; some of them used to quote the Prophet (SAS) through the Companions while others would omit the intermediate authority - such a hadith was known as mursal (loose). It was found that the missing link between the Successor and the Prophet (SAS) might be one person, i.e. a Companion, or two persons, the extra person being an older Successor who heard the hadith from the Companion.'
Author: Mahmood Al-Tahaan
Ibn Katheer, At-Tabari, As-Syooti and Other Historians. The four Rightly guided Caliphs (Khaliph's) Abu Bakr As-Sideeq, Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, Uthmaan Ibn 'Affaan and Ali Ibn Abi Taalib. The Biography of Umar Ibn Abdel-Azeez who is regarded as one of the Rightly Guided Chaliphs is also included in this book.
Author: Imam Ibn Kathir
This book talks about the life story of Muhammad, may Allah exalt his mention, and his beautiful manners. It also brings to light statements for contemporary figures in Western society, who spoke favorably of Prophet Muhammad, may Allah exalt his mention.
Author: AbdulRahman Bin Abdulkarim Al-Sheha
Translators: Abdur-Rahman Murad
Publisher: Islamic Propagation Office in Rabwah
Source: http://www.islamhouse.com/p/1385
Saheeh International, based out of Saudi Arabia, Translated the meaning of the Quran in English, which is most appropriate for non-Muslims, it is easy and clarity of words and meanings.
Publisher: http://www.islambasics.com - Islam Basics Website - Sahih International
This book is to be seen as a modest attempt, a small but significant and sincere contribution, to the input of materials pertaining to Islam which set to curb and eventually uproot evil and establish righteousness, so that people are helped in clinging to the only way that affords them safety from the Fire, and brings them closer to Allah with a submission to his will that is borne of easiness as a result based on correct knowledge and understanding.
Author: Abu Al-Muntasir Bin Muhar Ali
Reveiwers: Muhammad AbdulRaoof
This is the second treatise in the collection The Beliefs of the Pious Predecessors and the People of Hadeeth. The Author present it to the respected readers after Allah has ennobled him by making him concerned with it and by checking and verifying the ahaadeeth mentioned therein, (all) by the bounty of Allah, the Exalted
Author: Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal