Indroduction & Preface
With the blessings of
Janasheen Habib Ahmad Mashhoor Al-Haddad
Sayyad Umar bin Hamid Al-Haddad,
Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Hijaz.
* * * * *
Peer-e-Tareeqah, Taaj-ush-Shariah,
Janasheen Huzoor Mufti Aazam-e-Hind
Huzoor Mufti
Akhtar Raza Khan
Qadri, Azhari, Bareli, U.P. India.
* * * * *
Janasheen Allama Sadr Al-Shariah,
Muhaddith-e-Kabir, Allama,
Zia-ul-Mustafa,
Ghousi, U.P. India.
DEDICATION
I dedicate this work to the best of creation, the light of guidance, the Most excellent and exalted of Creation, the Mercy unto Creation, Sayyiduna
Muhammad Mustafa
(may Allah bless him and grant him peace)
His respected parents, Ahle-Bait, the Khulafa, his companion, wives and children.
* * *
As well as the Shuhada, Taabi’een, Tabe Taabi’een, Mujtahid Imams, Ghous-e-Aazam Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir, Baghdad,
Sultanul Hind Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaaz, Ajmer, India
Sayyid Shah Ale-Rasool Mahrerwi, India
Imam Ahle Sunnat Shaykh Ahmad Raza Khan, Bareli, India
Mufti Aazam-e-Hind, Maulana Shah Muhammad Mustafa Raza Khan, Bareli, India
Sadrush Shariah Maulana Amjad ‘Ali Qadri, Ghousi, India
Hafiz-e-Millat, India
Peer-e-Tariqat Huzoor Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qadri Azhari, Bareli, India
Sayyad Habib Ahmad Mashhoor Al-Hadad, Makkah.
Sayyad Umar bin Hamid Al-Hadad. Madinah.
Shaykh Muhammad Sadiq Alawi. U.K
& my parents, brothers and sister and the entire Muslim Ummah.
* * *
To all the Mashaaikh of the Qadriyah, Chishtiya, Naqshbandiyah, Suharwardiyah, Rifaa’iyah, Shaazliyah, Alawi and all other Salaasile-Tareeqah.
* * *
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that,
“No father can give a better gift to his son than good manners.”
(Tirmidhi & Hakim)
To my sons Muhammad Mustafa & Ahmad Raza
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
“Whoever has not thanked people, has not thanked Allah,” said the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).
The first Volume is the result of the collaboration of many people. I acknowledge dearly to my sincere brothers Hafiz (Dr) Muhammad Javid Yakub, Bolton, Shaykh Muhammad Salim Ghisa, Preston, Shaykh Zahid Hussain Preston, & Muhammad Sajid, Birmingham, for their generous assistance and pains in proof reading this book. I have no hesitation to declare that it is only their support and help that made this book worthy of being published again. May Allah (The Exalted) bless them and their families in both worlds with His pleasure and take work from them that pleases Allah (The Exalted) and His beloved Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).
The second volume is the result of the collaboration of many people. I thank Shaykh Noor Ahmed, for initially helping me start the second volume of this book and giving up his busy time in helping me understand the Traditions of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) in the light of modern science. Thanks to my mother and aunt for their continued love, support, advice and the zeal to organise my work. More gratitude than can be expressed goes to Doctor Javed Yakub, who humbly checked the text and advised me not only the first volume but this volume too. Finally, my immense gratitude goes to Shaykh Muhammad Salim, who has been an influence in my life and a great support in my work. 4 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
PREFACE
Praise be to Allah (The Exalted) the Creator of the Universe and the Sustainer of all the worlds. Who inspired His beloved, Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) the Qur’an and wisdom, as a mercy unto the worlds.
Countless blessings and bounties of Almighty Allah be upon the beloved Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) the seal of all Prophets, the crown of the Universe and Mercy for all the worlds and to his family and his companions.
Unfortunately, we as Muslims have become influenced by unIslamic way of life and have left the true path, which is the path to paradise. Our children have a lot of knowledge about football players, cricket players and their positions, but regrettably they are unable to recall the positions of the noble ones in Islam. We can say ‘there are more important things than their positions’, but our children today do not even know the Sunnah of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).
Today we encourage our children to follow unIslamic tradition, and those that are seen as famous, and then wonder why they do not listen to us. When a Muslim follows the life style of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) then the child will not be disobedient, nor will they go astray.
If our children get to know the blessed Sunnahs of the noble Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) practice these sincerely, and understand the importance of following the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) then they will Insha-Allah act according to the way of our beloved Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). This is why we are in dire need of books such as this to give a brief idea about the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and his blessed life and the peace, respect and success that one will gain in life by following the Sunnah.
All praise to Allah (The Exalted) that he has allowed me to complete the following work through the blessings (Waseelah) of the beloved Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and the blessings of my beloved Shaykh, Huzoor Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Qadri Azhari, Bareli, U.P. India and my respected scholars for their supplications.
There have been some changes in this edition which are as follows:
More hadith have been added and some references that were missing have been placed too. Some hadith that were repeated have been taken out. There is underlining of dh and th which is the Arabic equivalent to 5 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
Dhaal and Tha. The comma (‘) stand for ‘Ain either before a letter or after which comes from the middle of the throat. I have also Re-arrange the hadith and chapters to make it easier for readers too. There have been some extra chapters introduced such as the chapter on voltentry prayer, Qurbani and debt etc. And the second volume is combined with this volume.
I ask Allah (The Exalted) that he accept this work from me and my friends who helped me complete this book and we pray that this work becomes a cause to save the Ummah from hardship and the Hell fire. All the beauty in this book is from Allah (The Exalted) and shortcomings are due to my ignorance. May Allah (The Exalted) accept this humble effort and grant me the ability to serve Islam and forgive my shortcomings. Ameen!
Your brother:
Muhammad ‘Abd Al-Mannan 6 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
INTRODUCTION
There are two main sources for understanding Islam; the Holy Qur’an and the collections of the recorded words, actions and sanctions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) which collectively makes up the Sunnah and which are normally referred to as Hadith.
The Holy Qur’an is the word of Allah (The Exalted) and must be strictly followed; in the same way the teaching contained in the Prophet’s Sunnah must be observed by all who profess to be Muslims. For the Holy Qur’an says;
“And whatsoever the messenger gives you, take it. And whatsoever he forbids, abstain from that.” i
The Sunnah, in the form of Hadith, is complementary to the Holy Book itself; it helps to explain and clarify the Holy Qur’an and present practical applications of its teachings. Without the study of Hadith a Muslim’s knowledge of his faith remains incomplete, and without it the non-Muslim is unable to form a true picture of the Islamic faith and its fundamental spiritual, moral, legislative, and cultural principles.
Acknowledging the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and following his teaching are two different things. Between ‘knowing’ and ‘following’ lies the element of believing in the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). The depth of belief varies from Muslim to Muslim. Most Muslims also love the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and here again; the depth of their love varies from Muslim to Muslim.
In following the footsteps of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) one follows Islam and can hardly waver. The Muslim should use the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) as a model, follow in the footsteps of the Messenger of Islam (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and preach the Sunnah to the world.
“O beloved! Say you, ‘O people! If you love Allah (The Exalted) then follow me; Allah (The Exalted) will love you and forgive your sins and Allah (The Exalted) is Forgiving and Merciful.” ii 7 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
i Surah Al-Hashar; Surah No: 59; Verse: 7
ii Surah Ale Imran; Surah No: 3; Verse: 31
iii Surah Fatiha: Surah No: 1; Verse: 5-7
O Allah (The Exalted!) Guide us in the straight path. The path of those whom You have favoured. Not of those who have earned Your anger and nor of those who have gone astray. iii Ameen.