Book Reviews

Alhamdulillah,

I have always wondered why the Subcontinenters of Asia, mainly the Deobandis, refrained from translating Sunan At-Tirmidhi. They translated Sunan Abu Dawud (Prof. Ahmad Hasan), Sunan An-Nasa’i As-Sughra (the smaller version translated by Muhammad Iqbal Siddiqi), Sahih Muslim and Mishkat Al-Masabih (at least a few volumes of it) by Abdul Hameed Siddiqi, Sunan Ibn Majah (Translated by M. Tufail Ansari) , Muwatta of Imam Malik (Translated by Muhammad Rahimuddin) and other smaller texts such as Riyad us Salihin and the 40 of Imam An-Nawawi. Yet, for some odd reason, no one ever took it upon themselves, at least to my knowledge, to translate one of the most valuable canonical works of hadith, Sunan At-Tirmidhi. For years I wondered as to why this fantastic tome, full of fiqh and hadith gradings would be ignored by the translators. I always made the excuse that it was simply because it was such a daunting task, though I never really beleived such an excuse.

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The Hanafis of the west have done it again. Another thorn in the side of the Hanbali-leaning, though not clinging, pseudo-salafis in fiqh. I predicted Jun 1st of 2007 that the Hanafis would be forced to print manuals in law and creed in order to save their youth from the “dark side” and its sith-like attacks upon their noble madh-hab. Al-Fiqh Al-Islami is a wonderful masterpiece on fiqh, providing the student with a plethora of proofs. Many of the proofs presented in the manual have went untranslated prior to this release. Basically the manual begins with the foundational principles of the Madh-hab (legal guild): Qur’an, Sunnah, Ijma’, Qiyas.

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The Opinions expressed within this article are Abul Layth’s and May not reflect that of the SI team’s

I thank Allah ta’alaa for the traditionalism found within the Neo-Hanafi movements, mainly, though not restricted to the deobandis of the subcontinent of Asia, South Africa, and the smaller movements of the UK and California (White Thread Press - Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf specifically). As I have argued in the past (http://seekingilm.com/archives/71), Western-Hanafism is fighting back. They are producing quality works to counter the oil-rich funded pseudo-salafi agenda; the wahhabi propoganda. The Pseudo-Salafi publications/publishers, the best of them being Hidayah then followed by Dar-us-Salam, have spent millions forwarding their da’wah in aesthetically pleasing formats, glistening pages, nice designs, that include slick dust jackets. Does it sell well? Absolutely! In fact, as I have seen from my former ‘dark-side’ days (pardon the nomenclature of the Jedis) of waiding in the pools of pseudo-salafism, ignorant lay Muslims (probably the majority of the ignorance stricken Ummah) particularly those new converts trying to find their way through the sectarian noise of our era, reach for the aesthetics instead of reacing for the gnostics, which are usually tainted with cheap Indian print, or occassionally could be improved in cover appeal (ex: Reliance of the Traveller).

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I recently received via mail a gift from a friend. A gift I had underestimated. In fact, when I saw its poor cover I thought to myself to just let Umm Layth read it so she could tell me what was contained therein of good, as she generally does. I happened to pick the book up off the kitchen table and decided to read the first bit of it. On the first page, the page where all of the information regarding the book is - I admit that in every book I ever buy I always look at the publishing information. The history of the book can sometimes be told in the catalouging, paper quality etc. - I noticed that it said “Edited by AbdulHaq Bewley and Muhammad Isa Waley”. Yet on the front cover no mention of Sidi Bewley is found, rather, as you can see from the attached picture Shaykh Yassin Roushdy is the only one mentioned. This sparked my interest further. Anyone who has any experience in reading english Islamic literature knows all too well the vibrancy as well as barakah of the Bewley translation machine.

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Title: الهداية في تخريج احاديث البداية - Guidance regarding the exposition of Al Bidaayah (Al Mujtahid)’s Narrations.

Author: Al-Imaam Al Haafith Al Muhaddith Abil Faydh Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Siddeeq Al Ghumaari Al-Hasani (1320-1380 After Hijrah)

Tahqeeq (research) performed by: Yusuf Abdur Rahmaan Al-Mar’asheeli & ‘Adnaan ‘Ali Shallaaq

Al Hidayah is the takhreej, or the research of the narrations, of Bidayatul Mujtahid of the great Jurist of Islamic Spain (Al-Andalus) Ibn Rushd. It is 8 volumes of absolute ‘ilm. I was sitting with a close brother of mine discussing the benefit of Bidayatul Mujtahid when I mentioned that a takhreej (tahqeeq) needed to be done of it. The brother did some research and ended up purchasing this masterpiece for me.

At first I was a bit skeptical at how much benefit would truly be obtained from it. However, when I opened it and read the first 3 volumes, I was astonished at the ‘Ilm possessed by Al-Haafith Al Ghumaari. He argues against or for certain stances based upon deep insight into the sciences of hadith. Many times he saves the reader the research by simply releasing upon the reader his grading of the hadeeth. He leaves no stone unturned regarding the major books where the hadeeth may be found. I recommend it for all arabic speaking students.

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By Abul Layth

The following is my personal review of Nayl Al-Awtaar.

One of my favorite resources regarding the deen of Allah ta’alaa is نيل الاوطار شرح منتقى الاخبار من سيد الاخيار

Translation of the Title: “The obtainment of the objective. The explanation of ‘The Chosen Reports from the Master of Good’ ”

Other Names: Generally it is referenced as “Nayl”, “Nayl Al Awtar” etc.

Authors: The author of this fantastic masterpiece is Sheikhul Islaam, Al-’Allaamah, Ar-Rabbani, Imaamul A’immah, Mufti Al Ummah, Qaadhi Al Qudhaah, Muhammad ibn ‘Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Abdullah Ash-Shawkaani then As-Sana’ni. He was born in the year 1172 After Hijrah in the month of Thul Qa’dah in the city of Shawkaan, Yemen.

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