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
Source: http://www.islamhouse.com/p/291284
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Imam Shafi on On Legal Knowledge Read Classical – Excerpt Written in the second Islamic century by al-Imam al-Shafi’i (d. 204AH/820AD), the founder of one of the four Sunni schools of law. This important work gives the fundamental principles of Islamic jurisprudence and its influence continues to the present day. During the early years of the spread of Islam, the exponents of Islamic legal doctrine were faced with the problems raised by ruling and administering a diverse and rapidly growing empire. In Medina and Kufa, as well as other cities of early Muslim rule, schools of law had to be developed, but it took the genius of Muhammad b. Idris al-Shafi’i, born in the year 150AH/767AD, to establish the principles by which the various legal doctrines could be synthesised into a coherent system. In the Risala, which laid down the basis for such a synthesis, al-Shafi’i established the overriding authority, next only to the Qur’an, of the Sunnah or example of the Prophet Muhammad as transmitted in the traditions.
Author: Muhammad Bin Idrees Al-Shafaei - Mohammed Bin Idrees Al-Shafai
Reveiwers: Muhammad AbdulRaoof
Source: http://www.islamhouse.com/p/344944
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This is a lecture that Shaikh Al-Albani gave in the city of Doha, the capital of Qatar, during the blessed month of Ramadan of 1392H. Then requesters asked the shaikh to print it due to the important benefits contained within it, and to the Muslim's need for something like it.
Author: Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee
Translators: Abu Maryam Ismaeel Alarcon
Source: http://www.islamhouse.com/p/51809
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Kitab At-Tawheed is one of the best books on the subject of Tawheed (Islamic Monotheism) and ranks high in authenticity. Till date it has gone through various publications; and had been the means for guidance of the millions of people throughout the world; by taking them out of the darkness of polytheism and error.
Author: Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhab
Publisher: http://www.islambasics.com - Islam Basics Website
Source: http://www.islamhouse.com/p/128600
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The "Islamic Studies" series of books by the prolific writer and scholar Dr. Bilal Philips are part of a meticulously written series intended to guide young Muslims in a manner that helps them acquire a thorough practical and spiritual foundation. This series have been generally acknowledged as an excellent introduction set to the principles of the Islamic faith, with core sciences discussed and explored, for both the new Muslim as well as the "old" Muslim wishing to brush up on the fundamentals.
Author: Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips
Source: http://www.islamhouse.com/p/273077
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Bulugh Al-Maram (attainment of the objective according to the evidence of the ordinances) is based upon the Ahadith of our Prophet which have been the sources of Islamic Jurisprudence. Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani has recorded the true significance of the Ahadith and their origins & also made a comparison of the versions, if the sources are more than one.
Author: Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani
Source: http://www.islamhouse.com/p/291076
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