Authenticating Hadith (Sayings of the Prophet) – An Overview

Sunnah and it’s roles

The Sunnah (traditions) of the Prophet SAWS, along with Quran, is the cornerstone of the teachings of Islam. Among majority of the scholars, the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad SAWS is defined as the sayings (Hadith Qauli or the verbal order), actions(Hadith Fa’lee or the action) or approval of actions (Hadith Taqreeri) that are related to the beliefs as well as rulings of the Islamic faith – both in terms of rituals as well as daily life actions.

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days and nights of Dhul-Hijjah (Hajj Season)

Most Muslims very well know the blessings of the nights of Ramadan, especially the last ten nights. However, not everyone knows that the first ten days of the last month of the Islamic month, Dhul Hijjah, are equally packed with blessings.

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Video: History of Hajj and the Steps in Hajj

Hajj is a fifth pillar of Islam. This video is the first HD filmed movie about Hajj, and presented by Dr. Hamid Slimi.

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The Story of the building of Kaabah in Makkah Al-Mukarramah

The following hadith by the prophet provides the background of how Makkah and Kaa’ba came into existence.

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbâs [On the authority of the Prophet (See Fath Al-Bari, Vol. 7, Page 210)].

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Rituals of Hajj

This article presents a summarized version of the steps involved in Hajj. More details are available at the end of the article.

Hajj – One of the Islamic Pillars

Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam – i.e. one of the five obligatory duties of a Muslim. Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:

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[Hajj] Making Jamarat (in the city of Mina) Safe (CNN)

 ===> A bridge to safety unveiled for Hajj stoning ritual

(2009) Mecca, Saudi Arabia (CNN) — Chanting “Allahu Akbar” — God is Greater than any — more than 2 million pilgrims crossed new pedestrian bridges Saturday to perform one of the last rituals of the Hajj season.

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A Christian American converts to Islam at Hajj

A video about an American Muslim visiting for Hajj and his conversation with others at Hajj
This video is from ABC News’s Nightline program.

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Images/Videos: How to Perform Salah

Prayer is a Muslim's Mairaj, or communication with Allah. Prayer purifies and cleans your mind five times a day, and serves to bring peace to your life. Prayer is a man's way of thanking Allah, and reminds him that Allah is watching over his life, giving him the courage to face even the toughest of times.

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Video/Images: Steps on how to perform a perfect Ablution or Wudu

Wudu, or ablution, is both a traditional ritual and a practical means by which Muslims seek to maintain good physical and spiritual hygiene. Traditionally, Wudu refers to the mental preparation and physical cleanliness of Muslims for the Salat (prayer), one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

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Stop acting like a scholar.

*STOP ACTING LIKE AN ISLAMIC SCHOLAR*

Imam Malik was one of the greatest scholars in the history of Islam. One day a man who lived thousands of miles away went to visit him. In those days there were no Emirates or British Airways. No 100 mph trains. This man travelled for months to visit Imam Malik for one simple reason. He wanted to ask questions and learn more about his deen.

He finally arrived and asked the esteemed Imam 40 questions. And the Imam said *“I don’t know”* to 36 of them. He only answered 4 questions. 4 questions out of 40.

Similarly, one day Abu Bakr RA was asked a question about the Quran and he beautifully answered *“Which sky will shelter me and which earth will hold me if I speak about a verse of the Qur’an without knowledge.”*

The question is, are YOU an Islamic scholar in the true sense?

Yes you.

What Islamic education do you have? Are you qualified to interpret Hadiths? Have you studied 8 hours a day for 5 years to understand Quran in detail? What teachers have you studied under? How many students do you to teach? How many hours a week do you spend learning Islam?

If the answers to the above questions are mostly in the negative then the answer to the first question is probably no.

So brothers and sisters, who are we?

Compared to such greats. And yet on Facebook, on Twitter, on email, in our homes, in our classrooms, in our discussions, we issues Fatwas all day long. We pronounce halal haram and we pronounce haram halal. And we do it daily. We do it with ease. The words slip out of our tongues like butter spreads on warm bread. We do it without regard. We’ve become experts on Islamic fiqh.

Folks, we do it out of ignorance.

Sheikh Google is not an authentic Imam. Maulana Twitter is not an authentic Imam. Mufti Facebook is not an authentic Imam.

Real fatwas are issued by scholars who have spent years studying Islam and often they reply with the same humility as Imam Malik and Abu Bakr RA did.

So from today be careful. Be careful what you say. The angel on your left records everything. Don’t keep him busy. Keep the angel on the right busier and learn how to simply say

I don’t know.

Like the greats did.

Naam baarokallahufeekum.

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