How Many Rak’ahs Did the Salaf Pray for Taraaweeh?

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Ever-Merciful…

A Great Third-Century Imaam of the Sunnah Gathered the Narrations of the Salaf Regarding How Many Rak’ahs They Prayed or Preferred for the Taraaweeh Prayers of Ramadhaan

The highly celebrated imaam, Shaykh al-Islaam Aboo ‘Abdillaah Muhammad ibn Nasr al-Marwazee [d.294] was one of the greatest of the third-century authorities on the Sunnah. One of the most highly-qualified and knowledgeable imaams of his era, he was recognized by the scholars for his specific expertise in issues that the early Salaf differed over. Great early historians, like Ibn Hibbaan, Aboo Is-haaq ash-Sheeraazee, and al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee referenced him as one of the leading authorities in detailed Fiqh issues which the Companions and their students (the Taabi’oon) differed over. [1]

The author of al-Muhallaa, Ibn Hazm, remarked that no one since the time of the Companions themselves had been more complete in their knowledge and understanding of the narrations than Muhammad ibn Nasr. [2]

Ath-Thahabee commented, “It is said that he was THE most knowledgeable of all scholars in entirety about matters of differing.” And he said, “He was from the most knowledgeable of the people in his era about the matters which the Companions and their students differed over. Rarely have people like him ever been seen.” [3]

It was this great early imaam who compiled an amazing book on the topic of the night prayers of Ramadhaan. Scholars who spoke on the topic throughout history have recognized this work as Continue reading

Baseless Hadeeth: “Take Half of Your Religion From ‘Aa’ishah”

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The mother of the believers, ‘Aa’ishah bint Abee Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with her), was the most beloved person on earth to the Prophet Muhammad (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace). She was highly knowledgeable in Islaamic sciences, counted as one of the most discerning scholars of jurisprudence among the Companions, as well as one of the most relied upon in Hadeeth preservation. With all these virtues and with this lofty status deeply rooted in the hearts of believers everywhere, there is no need for fabricated and baseless narrations about her level of knowledge.

Some people heedlessly quote a baseless fabricated hadeeth:

خذوا شطر دينكم عن الحميراء
“Take half of (the knowledge of) your Religion from al-Humayraa’ (‘Aa’ishah).”

This invented hadeeth appeared in a dictionary (of all places) at the end of Continue reading

Benefits Related to Saying Aameen in Response to Jazaak Allaah khayran

In the Name of Allaah…

Dr. Muhammad Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him) mentioned that there is no specified answer from the Sunnah to Jazaak Allaahu Khayran, read here.

To add something to that: The phrase Jazaak Allaahu Khayran (may Allaah reward you well) is something that is from the Sunnah to be said to express thanks or praise, due to the hadeeth:

 مَنْ صُنِعَ إِلَيْهِ مَعْرُوفٌ فَقَالَ لِفَاعِلِهِ: جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا. فَقَدْ أَبْلَغَ فِي الثَّنَاء.

On the authority of Usaamah Ibn Zayd, he said that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said: “Whoever has had something nice done for him and then says to his companion, ‘Jazaak Allaahu Khayran,’ then he has surely excelled in praising (him).”

Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmithee #2035 (2/392).

So then it is not like other phrases found in the Sunnah that have specified answers, like:

1) Al-Hamdulillaah — Yarhamukallaah — Yahdeekumullaahu wa Yuslihu Baalakum

2) As-Salaamu ‘alaykum — wa ‘Alaykumus-Salaam

3) Uhibbuka fillaah — Ahabbak Continue reading

Hadeeth Study: Only Allaah Punishes With Fire

In the Perfect Name of Allaah…

Imaam Aboo Daawood (may Allaah have Mercy on him) collected three hadeeths in a chapter of his Sunan called “The Detestable Nature of Burning the Opposing Forces (in Military Confrontation) With Fire.”

The first two hadeeths narrated by Aboo Hamzah al-Aslamee (#2673) and Aboo Hurayrah (#2674) – may Allaah be pleased with them – include the following clear prohibition:

لا يعذب بالنار إلا رب النار

“No one may punish using fire other than the Lord of the Fire (Allaah).”

The third hadeeth narrated by ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood (#2675) – may Allaah be pleased with him – includes Continue reading

Shaykh Al-Albaanee Lights a Soofee Magician on Fire – Really!

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Ever Merciful…

The great scholar, Shaykh Muhammad Naasir ad-Deen al-Albaanee (d.1420) – may Allaah have Mercy on him – tells an amazing story about his encounter with a soofee performing acts of illusionary magic.  This story comes after his detailed academic discussion of the narration of Jundub (may Allaah be pleased with him) and its chains of transmission.

To summarize the story: A governer in Iraq during the the Caliphate of ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan was being entertained by a magician Continue reading