Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Is'ad al-Rafiq wa Bughyat al-Sadiq

Is'ad al-Rafiq wa Bughyat al-Sadiq, by Sheikh Muhammad bin Salim bin Sa'id BaBusayl al-Shafi'i. The work is a commentary of Habib 'Abd Allah bin Husayn bin Tahir's famous Sullam al-Tawfiq. http://www.mediafire.com/?g4kcjqk76ecmio5

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Latest Publications (Dar al-Minhaj)

as Salamu alaikum,

For the past decade, Dar al-Minhaj Pub. in Jeddah has published an array of hi-quality Shafi'i fiqh works. Their publications of various mutun have been and are currently used by teachers and students in Tarim and other places. Dar al-Minhaj has edited and published works such as: al-Risalat al-Jami'ah, Nayl al-Raja, Bushra al-Karim, Abu Shuja'a, Kifayat al-Akhyar, al-Yaqut al-Nafis, Safwat al-Zubad, 'Umdat al-Salik and Minhaj al-Talibin. All of these mutun make up a traditional Shafi'i fiqh syllabus. Dar al-Minhaj has also published extraordinary encyclopedic-reference works such as: Nihayat al-Matlab, al-Bayan and al-Najm al-Wahhaj.

This year, Dar al-Minhaj printed a number of key reference works and study mutun. Below are some of these publications:

1. al-'Ubab al-Muhit bi-Mu'dham Nusus al-Shafi'i wa al-Ashab, by the judge, jurist and scholar of exacting verification Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Zabidi, famously known as al-Muzajjad(847-930)

al-Muzajjad described this work as, "a treasure drove that a faqih can carry in his sleeve, and a swelling wave condensing the major works..."

al-'Ubab is, in its very essence, a summary of Rawdhat al-Talibin by Imam al-Nawawi, and the author added additional furu' from the various works of the Ashab.

Ibn Hajar al-Haytami and Muhammad al-Ramli both wrote commentaries on al-'Ubab.

al-'Ubab was printed a number of times by Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyyah but none of these prints were critical editions.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Why do Hadramis prefer Imam Ibn Hajar?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

I submitted a question to the ifta department of Ribat Tarim regarding Hadramis inclination towards the views of Imam Ibn Hajar al-Haytami in cases where Ibn Hajar and Imam Muhammad al-Ramli differ. Below is a translation of my question and their answer:

It is well-known that the scholars of Hadramawt follow Ibn Hajar in formal-
legal verdict. Why do the scholars prefer Ibn Hajar over al-Ramli when al-Ramli was also a high-ranking faqih with an expansive breadth of knowledge?

In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate. All praise is due to Allah, lord of the entire universe. Blessings and peace on our master Muhammad, the noblest of all prophets and messengers, and on his family and companions, one and all.

To commence;

The questioner asks, "Why do the scholars of Hadramawt prefer Ibn Hajar over al-Ramli in formal legal verdict and what is the reason for their inclination towards Ibn Hajar?"

A 13th century scholar of Hadramawt by the name of Habib 'Abd Allah bin 'Umar bin Yahya was asked this very same question. Habib 'Abd Allah bin Yahya stated that there are four reasons why the Hadramis prefer Ibn Hajar over al-Ramli:

1. Ibn Hajar's knowledge of hadith sciences was extensive.

2. Ibn Hajar practiced tasawwuf and he did not oppose Sufis.

3. Ibn Hajar had extreme love for the Ahl al-Bayt.

4. Ibn Hajar possessed a firm understanding of usul al-fiqh, and because of that, his argument and evidence is usually strong.

It is for these four reasons that the scholars of Hadramawt favor Ibn Hajar; however, al-Ramli's position is followed in some issues.

(Conclusion of the answer)



I remember my teacher in Ribat stating a fifth reason: Ibn Hajar had an enormous amount of adab with Imam al-Nawawi. My teacher explained that some fuqaha dealt with al-Nawawi's inaccurate views in a harsh manner, but Ibn Hajar refrained from a stern tone in dealing with such issues.

Also, one should not deduce from Habib 'Abd Allah bin Yahya's statement that al-Ramli was weak in hadith, opposed Sufism, did not love the Ahl al-Bayt or was not well-versed in usul al-fiqh. Additionally, I have not al-Ramli harshly criticize any views of al-Nawawi in his central work, Nihayat al-Muhtaj.



Allah Most High knows best

Fath al-Mu'in (explained)

as Salamu alaikum,

Find below: Fath al-Mu'in Sharh Qurrat al-'Ayn of Imam Zayn al-Din al-Mallibari explained by the Syrian scholar Sheikh Rushdi al-Qalam.

http://www.archive.org/details/FathAlMo3en

Monday, June 20, 2011

Usul al-Fiqh works from the time of al-Shafi'i to al-Zarkashi

1.al-Risalah:authored by Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i(d.204). The Risalah that we have today is al-Risalat al-Jadidah which al-Shafi'i authored in Egypt before his demise. The work has been published in various editions,though the most famous and best edition is the print that Ustadh Ahmad Shakir edited.

2. al-Tabsirah fi Usul al-Fiqh:authored by Imam Abu Ishaq al-Shirazi(d.476). The work was published by Dar al-Fikr in 1980 along with Dr.Hasan Hitou's tahqiq which was his doctoral thesis submitted to al-Azhar.

3. al-Luma':authored by al-Shirazi in which he summarized the above work al-Tabsirah. The work was published by Dar ibn Kathir in 1995 along with Muhyi al-Din Mastu and Yusuf Badawi's tahqiq.

4. Sharh al-Luma':authored by al-Shirazi himself and published by Dar al-Gharb al-Islami in 1988 with the tahqiq of Dr.'Abd al-Majid Turki.

Sheikh Yasin al-Fadani commented on al-Luma' in his Bughyat al-Mushtaq which has been published by Mu'assas al-Risalah with the late Dr.Mustafa al-Khinn's tahqiq. The work was also commented upon by the contemporary Javanese scholar Sheikh Sahl Mahfudh.

5. al-Burhan: authored by Imam al-Haramayn al-Juwayni(d.478)and published by Dar al-Wafa',4th edition,in 1418(h.)with Dr.'Abd al-Adhim al-Dib's tahqiq.

6. al-Talkhis:authored by al-Juwayni and published by Dar al-Basha'ir in 1996 with Dr.'Abd Allah al-Naybali.

7. al-Waraqat: authored by al-Juwayni. It is the shortest abridged work in the science of usul. It's wording is packed with meaning and beneficial usuli points.

8. al-Mankhul:authored by Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali(d.505)in which he abridged al-Juwayni's al-Burhan. The work was published by Dar al-Fikr in 1998 (3rd edition) with Dr.Hitou's tahqiq.

9. Shafa' al-Ghalil:by al-Ghazali and published by Matba' al-Irshad in 1971 with Dr.al-Kubaisi's tahqiq.

10. al-Mustasfa:by al-Ghazali and published by Mu'assas al-Risalah in 1997 with Dr.Muhammad Sulayman al-Ashqar's tahqiq.

11. Asas al-Qiyas:by al-Ghazali and published by al-'Obeikan in 1993 with Dr.Fahd al-Sarhan's tahqiq.

12. al-Wusul ila al-Usul:by Imam Sharaf al-Din bin 'Ali, also known as Ibn Barhan al-Baghdadi(d.518). This work was heavily influenced by al-Juwayni's al-Burhan and was published by in two volumes by Maktab al-Ma'arif in Riyadh(1983)with Dr.'Abd al-Hamid 'Ali's tahqiq.

13. al-Mahsul fi-'Ilm al-Usul:by Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi(d.606). al-Mahsul is considered to be an encyclopedia of Usul al-Fiqh. The work was published by Imam Sa'ud University(1979)with Dr.Taha Jabir al-'Alwani's tahqiq. al-Mahsul was published a second time in 1999 by al-Maktab al-'Asriyyah.

14. al-Ma'alim:by al-Razi, published by Dar 'alim al-Ma'rifah in 1993 with 'Adil 'Abd al-Mawjud's tahqiq.

15. al-Kashif 'an Usul al-Dala'il wa Fusul al-'Ilal:by al-Razi, first published by Dar al-Jalil in 1992 with Dr.Ahmad Hijazi's tahqiq.

16. al-Tanqih:by al-Tabrizi(d.621). The work is an abridgment of al-Razi's Mahsul and was edited by Dr.Hamza Zuhayr Hafidh as part of his doctoral thesis submitted to Umm al-Qura in 1402.h.

17. al-Ihkam fi Usul al-Ahkam:authored by Imam Sayf al-Din al-Amidi(d.631). This work was published by Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyyah with Ustadh Ibrahim al-'Ajuz's tahqiq.

18. al-Hasil:authored by the pupil of Imam al-Razi, Imam Taj al-Din al-Armawi(d.653). al-Hasil is an abridgment of al-Razi's Mahsul and was published by the University of Qaryounis in Libya(1994)with Dr.'Abd al-Salam Abu Naji's tahqiq.

19. al-Muhaqqaq fi 'Ilm al-Usul fi-ma yata'allaqu bi-Af'al al-Rasul:authored by Imam Abu Shamah al-Maqdisi(d.665). The work was published in 1988 by Mu'assas Qurtuba with Ustadh Ahmad al-Kuwaiti's tahqiq.

20. al-Tahsil fi 'Ilm Usul al-Fiqh: by Imam Siraj al-Din al-Armawi(d.682) in which he abridged al-Razi's Mahsul. The work was published by Mu'assas al-Risalah in 1988 with Dr.'Abd al-Hamid Abu Zunayd's tahqiq.

21. Minhaj al-Wusul ila 'Ilm al-Usul: authored by Qadhi Nasir al-Din al-Baydhawi(d.685). The Minhaj is considered to be one of the most important abridged works in the science of usul for the Shafi'is.

22. al-Kashif 'an al-Mahsul:authored by Imam Shams al-Din al-Asfahani(d.688). This work is a commentary of Razi's Mahsul and it was published in 1998 by Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyyah with 'Adil 'Abd al-Majid's tahqiq.

23. Mi'raj al-Minhaj sharh Minhaj al-Wusul:authored by Imam Shams al-Din al-Jazari(d.711). Mi'raj is a commentary of Baydhawi's Minhaj,Dr.Sha'ban Muhammad Isma'il edited this work for his doctoral thesis submitted to al-Azhar in 1975.This work was published with the aforementioned tahqiq in 1993 by Matba'al-Husayn in Cairo.

24. Niyahat al-Wusul fi Dirayat al-Usul:authored by Imam Safi al-Din al-Hindi(d.715). The work was published in 1996 by al-Maktabat al-Tijariyah with Dr.Salih al-Yusuf and Dr.S'ad bin Salim's tahqiq.

25. al-Siraj al-Wahhaj fi sharh al-Minhaj:authored by Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Jarabardi(d.746). al-Siraj is another commentary of Baydhawi's Minhaj and was published by Dar al-Mi'raj al-Dawliyah in 1998(2nd edition)with Dr.Akram bin Muhammad bin Husayn's tahqiq.

26. Sharh al-Minhaj fi 'Ilm al-Usul:authored by Imam Shams al-Din Mahmud al-Asfahani(d.749). Another commentary on Baydhawi's work, published in 1410.h by Maktabat al-Rushd in Riyadh with Dr.'Abd al-Karim al-Namlah's tahqiq.

27. Talqih al-Fahum fi tanqih siyagh al-'umum: authored by Imam Salah al-Din al-'Ala'i(d.761) and published in Saudi Arabia in 1983 with Dr.'Abd Allah Ali al-Shaykh's tahqiq.

28. Tahqiq al-Murad fi anna al-nahiy yaqtadhi al-fasad: by al-'Ala'i,published by Dar al-Fikr in 1982 with Dr.Ibrahim Muhammad Salqini's tahqiq.

29. al-Ibhaj fi sharh al-Minhaj:authored by Imam Taqi al-Din al-Subki(d.756)and completed by his son Taj al-Din(d.771).al-Ibhaj is considered to be one of the most important commentaries upon Baydhawi's work. Maktabat al-Azhariyah published this work in 1981 with Dr.Sha'ban Muhammad Isma'il's tahqiq.

30. Raf' al-Hajib 'an Mukhtasar Ibn al-Hajib:by Imam Taj al-Din al-Subki. Subki's work is a commentary upon Ibn al-Hajib's(d.646)famous mukhtasar Muntaha al-Sul wa al-Amal. Raf' al-Hajib was first published in 2000 by Dar 'Alam al-Kutub along with 'Adil 'Abd al-Majid's tahqiq.

31. Jam' al-Jawami':by Imam Taj al-Din al-Subki. Jam' al-Jawami' is considered to be among the most famous works in Shafi'i usul. The work's content is full of meaning and for this reason many commentaries and glosses have been written on Jam' al-Jawami'.

32. Nihayat al-Sul fi sharh Minhaj al-Usul:authored by Imam Jamal al-Din al-Isnawi(d.772). Nihayat al-Sul is among the most famous commentaries of Baydhawi's work. The work was published along with Sheikh Muhammad al-Muti'i's hashiyah by Dar 'Alam al-Kutub in 1982.

33. al-Bahr al-Muhit fi Usul al-Fiqh:authored by Imam Badr al-Din al-Zarkashi(d.794). al-Bahr al-Muhit is an encyclopedia of usul in which al-Zarkashi presented many views of the usuliyyin. al-Bahr was published a number of times, the newest edition was published by Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyyah in 2000 with Ustadh Muhammad Tamir's tahqiq.

See pages 563-573 of al-Madkhal ila Madhhab al-Imam al-Shafi'i by Dr.Akram Yusuf al-Qawasimi.

والحمدلله

Monday, February 7, 2011

Should the moustache be trimmed or shaved off ?

The issue of cutting the moustache

by al-Hafidh Zain al-Din al-'Iraqi#




In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate. May Allah send prayers and greetings upon our prophet Muhammad, his family and companions. All praise is for Allah, the most perfect praise and His prayers and greetings upon Muhammad, His messenger and slave.

You asked about a Hadith and mentioned a report narrated by al-Nasa'i in his Sunan al-Kubra in which he says, Muhammad bin 'Abd Allah bin Yazid al-Muqri al-Makki informed us that he heard from Sufyan who related from Zuhri from Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib that Abu Hurayrah may Allah be pleased with him said that the Prophet may Allah bless him and give him peace said “ things of natural disposition (ar: fitra) are five: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, plucking the armpits, pairing the nails and shaving the moustache.”

(you asked) Is this hadith rigorously authenticated ? and is the mention of shaving the moustache authentic or not ?

I (namely, al-Hafidh al-'Iraqi) say and success it from Allah alone, that this chain of transmission is sound and all of it's narrators are trustworthy. Al-Nasa'i related this hadith just as you mention in his Sunan al-Kubra and in his Sunan al-Sughra with a connected chain as well. [a portion left untranslated]

However, with respect to the words “shaving the moustache” different variations are related from Sufyan ibn 'Uyaynah. Imams Ahmad bin Hanbal, 'Ali bin al-Madini, Abu Bakr bin Abi Shaybah, 'Amr bin Muhammad al-Naqid, Zubair bin Harb, Musaddad bin Masarhad and others relate the hadith from Sufyan with the words “ cutting the moustache”.

As for the nararration of Ahmad bin Hanbal from Sufyan, he related it in his Musnad. The narration 'Ali bin al-Madini was mentioned by al-Bukhari in his Sahih while the narration of Abi Shaybah was recorded by Muslim and Ibn Majah. The narration of both 'Amr al-Naqid and Zubair bin Harb were recorded by Muslim as well. As for the narration of Musaddad, it was recorded by Abu Daud.

Zakariyya bin Yahya bin Asad al-Marwazi also related the hadith with similar wording from Sufyan.

The view of 'ulama above is the correct position due to their excellent memories and absolute precision and the narration by al-Nasa'i in question is considered irregular since it goes against the narration of those who are trustworthy.

We looked at who concurs with Sufyan in his narration from al-Zuhri, and we found the following narrators: Ibrahim bin Sa'd al-Zuhri, Yunus bin Yazid al-Iyli, Ma'mar bin Rashid and Zam'ah bin Salih all narrating from Zuhri just as the majority related from Sufyan and they all related the hadith with the words “ cutting the moustache”.

As for the narration of Ibrahim bin Sa'd al-Zuhri, al-Bukhari recorded it in his Sahih. Muslim and al-Nasa'i recorded the narration of Yunus bin Yazid. Al-Nasa'i and al-Tirmidhi recorded the narration Ma'mar which al-Tirmidhi classified as authentic. As for the narration of Zam'ah, Abu Daud al-Tayalisi recorded it in his Musnad.

The narraration of these four figures from al-Zuhri is evidence for the narrations of the Jamhur from Sufyan.

After this, we looked, did anyone concur with Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib in his narration from Abu Hurayrah ? Then we found that Sa'id al-Maqbari and his father Kaysan both relate the hadith from Abu Hurayrah.

Sa'id al-Maqbari's narration was recorded by al-Nasa'i who relates it from the riwayah of 'Abd Rahman bin Ishaq from Sa'id al maqbari with the words “shortening the moustache”.

Said's father's narration was recorded by Malik in his Muwatta from said al-maqbari from his father with the words “ cutting the moustache.

Abu Salmah relates a similar hadith from Abu Hurayrah. Al-Bazzar relates in his Kitab al-Sunan from the riwayah of Muhammad bin Ishaq from Muhammad bin Ibrahim from Abu Salmah from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet may Allah bless him and give him peace said, “ Purificatory acts are four: cutting the moustache, shaving the pubic hair, pairing the nails and the use of miswak.”

Then we looked, did anyone other than Abu Hurayrah narrate this hadith from Nabi may Allah bless him and give him peace ? We found the following companions: 'Abd Allah ibn 'Umar, 'Aishah, 'Ammar bin Yasir, Abu al-Darda' and Anas bin Malik all relating this hadith with the words “ cutting the moustache”.

As for the hadith of Ibn 'Umar, al-Bukhari narrates it from the riwayah of Handhalah bin Abi Sufyan from Nafi' from Ibn 'Umar that Rasulullah may Allah bless him and give him peace said, “ acts of fitrah include: shaving the pubic hair, pairing the nails and cutting the moustache.”
al-Nasa'i relates this hadith as well but with the words “and taking from the moustache”.

The hadith of 'Aishah was recorded by Muslim and it is also mentioned in al-Sunan from the riwayah of Mus'ab bin Shaybah from Talq bin Habib from 'Abd Allah bin Zubair from 'Aishah who said that Rasulullah may Allah bless him and give him peace said, “ Ten things are from among fitrah: cutting the moustache and letting the beard grow.....”

al-Nasa'i regarded this hadith as weak due to the narration of Mus'ab bin Shaybah whose ahadith are rejected and stopping at Talq bin Habib is closer to being correct.

The Hadith of 'Ammar bin Yasir was recorded by Abu Daud and Ibn Majah from the riwayah of 'Ali bin Zaid from Salmah bin Muhammad bin 'Ammar bin Yasir from 'Ammar bin Yasir that Rasulullah may Allah bless him and give him peace said, “ Among the acts of fitrah is to rinse the mouth and nose with water, to use the toothstick and to cut the moustache.” In the wording of Ibn Majah. Al-Bukhari had some things to say about the connection of the chain of transmission.

The Hadith of Abu al-Darda' was recorded by al-Bazzar in his Musnad from the riwayah of Mu'awiyah bin Yahya from Yunus bin Maisarah from Abu Idris from Abu al-Darda' who said that Rasulullah may Allah bless him and give him peace said, “ Purificatory acts are four: cutting the moustache and shaving the pubic hair...” al-Bazzar also related this hadith in his Sunan as ibn Daqiq al-'Eid mentioned.

As for the hadith of Anas bin Malik, both Abu Daud and al-Tirmidhi relate it from the riwayah of Sadaqat al-Daqiqi from Abu 'Imran al-Jawni from Anas bin Malik who said, “ Rasulullah may Allah bless him and give him peace stipulated that the pubic hair be shaved, the nails paired, the moustache cut and the armpits plucked once every forty days.” Ibn Mundah related it and said that it is a sound chain from the writing of al-Bukhari. However, ibn Daqiq al-'Eid raised an objection about this in his al-Imam saying that is it not in the writing of al-Bukhari for Sadaqat al-Daqiqi was classified as weak by Yahya bin Ma'in and Abu Hatim al-Razi.

The hadith was also related by Muslim, al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah from the riwayah of Ja'far bin Sulaiman from Abu 'Imran al-Jawni from Anas bin Malik who said, “ The time for cutting the moustache had been set for us....”

This is the saying of a companion which takes the ruling of a Marfu' hadith according to the sound view of scholars of Hadith and Usul and Allah Most High knows best.

All of the aforementioned ahadith show that the hadith in question related by al-Nasa'i is irregular in it's meaning and is isolated since no one besides Muhammad bin 'Abd Allah bin Yazid al-Muqri related it. And in memorization and accuracy he is not like those who differ with him such as Ahmad bin Hanbal, 'Ali al-Madini etc.

If the person who holds that the moustache should be shaved and removed says, “I do not differentiate between the two words and I hold cutting to mean shaving.” [Perhaps he shaves with scissors] just as the wool of a sheep is sheared off. The evidence for this is the command to clip and trim in the agreed upon hadith of Ibn 'Umar related by Nafi' in which Rasulullah may Allah bless him and give him peace said, “remove the moustache and let the beard grow”. This is related by al-Bukhari with the words “ eliminate the moustache,” and Muslim with the words, “ Shear off the moustache”.

As for holding the word “cutting” to mean “shaving” , it goes against what is evident. The preponderant view is that “cutting” means to cut some portion and leave some due to the aforementioned narration of al-Nasa'i in which he says “shorten the moustache” and shortening is different from shaving. Furthermore, the hadith of Ibn 'Umar and Abu Hurayrah do not agree on one wording alone, i.e “remove” ,for Ahmad relates the hadith in his Musnad from Abu Hurayrah with the words “ cut the moustache”.

As for his (may Allah bless him and give him peace) saying, “ remove, shear and eliminate,” We take it to mean the part of the moustache near the upper lip that is recommended to remove in such a manner that nothing is left on the edge of the lip. And what grows above the edge of the upper lip is recommended to be shortened such that the only part which is sheered off is the hair on the edge of the lip. This practice has been established by all of the various narrations from commanding to cut, shorten, remove, sheer and eliminate. In this interpretation there is a merger between the various proofs. Also what shows that it is not recommended to completely remove the moustache is what Ahmad relates in his Musnad, Abu Daud in his Sunan, al-Tirmidhi in his al-Shama'il and al-Nasa'i in his Sunan from the riwayah of Mughirah bin 'Abd Allah from Mughirah bin Sh'ubah who said, “ my moustache was long so Rasulullah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) cut the hair that grew beyond the siwak placed under it.” or he said, “ I shall cut if for you on a miswak.” and the wording is according to Ahmad's riwayah. This chain of transmission is sound, all of it's narrators are utilized in the Sahih works.

If what is intended is shaving and removal, surely a siwak would not have been placed under the moustache so as to cut what grows beyond it. A similar report has come in the hadith of 'Aishah in which she says, “ Rasulullah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) once saw a man with a long moustache, and so he said, “ bring me scissors and a miswak”, then he placed it on the edge of his moustache and trimmed off what grew beyond the miswak.” Abu Bakr al-Bazzar related this hadith in his Musnad and said, “ we do not know anyone who narrated it from Hisham except for 'Abd Rahman bin Mushir and he is not a Hafidh.”

I say, he is the brother of 'Ali bin Mushir and he is weak. He assumed the position of Qadhi in Jabbul. The text of this hadith is weak and it is not proper to use as a proof. I only mentioned it so as to make it's weakness known and the real proof rests in the hadith of Mughirah bin Sh'ubah. Similarly, the various ahadith that mention taking from the moustache allude to the fact that *some should be removed by using the word *from (ar:min). That can be found in the hadith related by al-Tirmidhi from the riwayah of Sammak bin Harb from 'Akramah from Ibn 'Abbas who said, “ Nabi (may Allah bless him and give him peace) used to cut his moustache or take from his moustache.” al-Tirmidhi said that this hadith is Hasan Gharib.

Al-Tirmidhi and al-Nasa'i relate from the riwayah of Habib bin Yasir from Zayd bin Arqam that Rasulullah (may Allah bless hime and give him peace) said, “ whoever does not take from his moustache is not from among us.” al-Tirmidhi said that this hadith is Hasan Sahih.

One of the Imams of guidance, 'Umar bin 'Abd al-Aziz, described the recommended manner of taking from the moustache in the report which al-Awza'i relates from him, “ The recommended manner of cutting the moustache is to trim it so that the edge of the upper lip is visible (ar: al-Itar).” Abu al-Dahdah Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Isma'il al-Tamimi narrates this in the third volume of “Shuyukh al-Awza'i”.

The word al-Itar with a kasrah on the hamza refers to the edge of the upper lip which separates it from the place where the hair grows. Abu Musa al-Madini mentions this in his appendix to al-Harawi's “Gharibin” as well as Ibn Athir in his Nihayah. Al-Jawhari mentioned that anything that encompasses something is a “edge” or “rim” (Itar) for that thing and from this meaning is “the edge of the lip”. He (al-Jawhari) mentions that the edge of a palm is it's wood and the edge of a hoof is what is surrounded by hair.

Does the saying of a Tabi', “ The recommended manner is like this ” fall into the Marfu' category like the saying of a companion except that it is Mursal ? Or it it a Mawquf report that is connected ? Our companions have two views on this matter. Al-Nawawi relates both positions in his commentary of Shirazi's Muhadhdhab and he ruled that the sounder view is that such saying is Mawquf.

What 'Umar 'Abd al-Aziz mentioned could possibly have been practiced upon by a number of the companions according to what al-Bayhaqi relates in his Sunan al-Kubra with a good chain of transmission. He relates from Shurahbil bin Muslim al-Khawlani who said, “ I saw five of the companions of Rasulullah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) who would cut their moustaches and let their beards grow (and dye it yellow), Abu Umamah al-Bahili, 'Abd Allah bin Bashr, 'Utbah bin 'Abd Allah, al-Hajjaj bin 'Amir al-Thimali and al-Miqdam bin M'adi Karib al-Kindi, all of them used to cut their moustache along the edge of their lip.”

This is the view of the vast majority of Ahl al-'Ilm (people of knowledge) from among the companions, successors and those after them and it is the view of Imams Malik and al-Shafi'i. Al-Bayhaqi relates in his Sunan al-Kubra with a chain of transmission going to 'Abd al-'Aziz bin 'Abd Allah al-Uwaisi who said, “ Malik bin Anas once mentioned the practice of removing the moustache carried out by some people. Malik said, “ such people ought to be hit for doing that,for there is no hadith of Nabi (may Allah bless him and give him peace) regarding removal of the moustache. Rather, it should (be cut) such that it reveals the edge of the lips and mouth. Malik bin Anas also said that the practice of shaving the moustache is an innovation that has appeared among people.

[Al-Bayhaqi said, “ It is as if he (may Allah have mercy on him) is holding that the removal that is commanded in the hadith means to take from the moustache by trimming it and not shaving and his rejection occurs with respect to shaving and not trimming. The doubt that occurs from the narrator is in the rejection of removal without exception (be it shaving or sheering off) and Allah Ta 'Ala knows best.]

Malik said in Muwatta, “ it would be taken from the moustache such that the edge of the lip would show and this is al-Itar and it is not to be sheered it off. Ibn Qasim narrated from Malik, “removing the moustache is rejected according to me.”

'Abd Allah ibn 'Umar and some of the successors held that the moustache should be shaved and removed and this is the view of Ahl-Ray and Ahl al-Dhahir. This view has also been related by a group of companions. Al-Bayhaqi relates in his Sunan al-Kubra from the riwayah of Muhammad bin 'Ajlan from 'Ubayd Allah bin Abi Rafi' who said, “ I saw Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, Jabir bin 'Abd Allah, 'Abd Allah bin 'Umar, Rafi' bin Khudayj, Abu Asyad al-Ansari, Ibn al-Akwa', and Abu Rafi' removing their moustaches such that it was shaven.” A there is some difference in this report, Muhammad bin 'Ajlan related it like this while others relate it from 'Uthman bin 'Abd Allah bin Abi Rafi', or it is said Ibn Rafi', and this Idhtirab alludes to the weakness of this report. And the chain going back to those companions who would cut their moustaches along the edge of their lip is free from Idhtirab so it is more preferable although it is an authenticated practice of Ibn 'Umar.

There is a third view on the issue and it is that one may choose between cutting it and shaving it and this view was related by Qadhi 'Iyadh. This view is the most fitting due to the various Ahadith collected and different practices of the companions. However, the practice of the majority is to cut it and this practice more preferable to follow.

And the evidence that shows that it is okay to leave some of the moustache is the hadith of Anas related by Muslim, “ the time in which we should cut out moustaches, pair our nails, pluck our armpits and shave our pubic hair has been set for us so that we do not leave these acts for more than forty nights.” What is obvious is that forty days after cutting the moustache or shaving it the hair will begin to grow over the lip.

The Ahl al-Dhahir, or at least some of them, held that it is obligatory to cut the moustache or to shave it. If it is obligatory to remove it, surely it would not be permissible to leave it for forty days such that the hair begins to grow over the lips and Allah Ta 'Ala knows best.

Written by 'Abd al-Rahim bin Hussain bin al-'Iraqi, praising Allah and praying and sending greetings upon our Nabi Muhammad and his family.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

The book of trade (from al-Yaqut al-Nafis)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

The Book of Trade

based upon Sayyid Ahmad al-Shatiri's

al-Yaqut al-Nafis


Chapter 1
Sale (Bay')


Bay' lexically means to transact something for something else.

Bay' legally refers to an agreement consisting of a financial recompense permanently granting ownership of a particular item or something that can be utilized.


1.1
The Integrals of Bay'

The integrals of Bay' are three;

1.The buyer and seller
2.The price and the article purchased
3.The spoken form, which consists of the spoken offer and acceptance


1.2
The conditions of the buyer and seller

The conditions of the buyer and seller are four;

1.That he have an unrestriced right of disposal over his own property
2.That he not be unjustly coerced
3.If a Mushaf, Muslim slave or apostate who has not been emancipated is being transacted, it is necessary that the buyer is Muslim.
4.If weaponry is being sold, it is necessary that the buyer not be among those at war with the Muslims.


1.3
The conditions of the price and article purchased


The conditions of the price and article purchased are five;

1.That it be pure or is capable of being purified by washing
2.That it be useful
3.That it be deliverable
4.That it be the property of the seller
5.That it be known to both buyer and seller as to which particular item it is, how much it is and of what type.


1.4
The conditions of the spoken form

The conditions of the spoken form are thirteen;

1.That conversation extraneous to the agreement not intervene between the offer and acceptance.
2.That there not be a long interval between the offer and acceptance.
3.That both offer and acceptance correspond in meaning.
4.That neither offer nor acceptance is made conditional.
5.That the sale not be subject to time stipulation.
6.That nothing from the first part of the spoken form changes before the second, be it the offer or acceptance.
7.That it be said loud enough to be heard by someone in close proximity.
8.That they have full right to transact until the transaction is complete.
9.That it be through the use of a 2nd person pronoun.
10.That the respective parties conclude their spoken forms themselves.
11.That the initiator, be it the buyer or seller, mentions the price.
12.That the word “sale” is annexed to the form.
13.That the word is intended for it's meaning.


1.5
An example of Bay'

When Zayd says to 'Amr, “I sell you this house for 1,000 Dinars ,” and 'Amr says, “I accept”.



Chapter 2
Usurious gain (Riba)

Riba lexically means increment.

Riba legally refers to an agreement for a specific recompense whose equivalence to the merchandise is unknown according to the standards of law at the time of the transaction or in which the exchange of the two parties is delayed or one of them is delayed.



2.1
The ruling of Riba and when does it exist

Riba is considered unlawful and only exists in the exchange of gold and silver and human foodstuffs. Similarly, Riba is unlawful whenever any of the preconditions determining it's validity are un met.


2.2
The validity of exchanging gold, silver and foodstuffs for their like


In addition to the conditions of Bay', three more conditions exist in order for the exchange of gold for gold, silver for silver and foodstuff of the same type to be valid;

1.Immediacy
2.That the properties transacted be in the respective possession of the buyer and seller before parting company.
3.Exact equivalency in the amount



2.3
The validity of exchanging gold for silver, silver for gold and foodstuff of a different sort


The conditions for the validity of exchanging gold for silver, silver for gold and foodstuff of a different sort are two;

1.Immediacy
2.That the properties transacted be in the respective possession of the buyer and seller before parting company.



2.4
Examples of Riba

1.When Zayd says to 'Amr, “ I sell you this ring for twice it's weight in gold,” and 'Amr says, “I accept”.
2.When Zayd says to 'Amr, “ I sell you this freight of wheat for two freights of sorghum postponed till next month,” and 'Amr says, “I accept”.
3.When Zayd says to 'Amr, “ I sell you this freight of wheat for that freight of wheat,” and 'Amr says “I accept”, but they part ways before the properties are in their possession.



Chapter 3
Buying in advance (Salam)

Salam lexically means precipitance or to do something before it's appointed time.

Salam legally refers to the sale of described merchandise which under the seller's obligation and is enacted with the expression of Salam or Salaf.




3.1
The integrals of Salam


The integrals of Salam are five;

1.The buyer
2.The seller
3.The merchandise bought in advance
4.The price which the buyer pays in advance to the seller
5.The spoken form


3.2
The conditions for the validity of Salam


In addition to the conditions of Bay', six more conditions must be met in order for Salam to be valid;

1.That the price be put up
2.That the price of the merchandise is handed over when the agreement is made.
3.That the location to which the merchandise is to be delivered be clearly stipulated in instances where the buyer advances the price where it cannot be delivered or when the merchandise is deferred and transporting it to a certain location involves considerable difficulty.
4.That the seller is able to deliver the merchandise when the time comes.
5.That both buyer and seller and at least two upright people know the characteristics of the merchandise over which they may be at cross purposes by delineating it with clear specifications.
6.That the characteristics of the merchandise be described in a language known to both buyer and seller and at least two upright persons when the agreement is made.







3.3
An example of Salam


When Zayd says to 'Amr, “ I advance you 100 Dinars for a five year old slave who is five hand span tall, to be delivered at the beginning of such and such month at such and such place,” and 'Amr says, “Iaccept”.


Chapter 4
Putting up collateral (Rahn)

Rahn lexically means constancy

Rahn legally refers to putting up a piece of saleable property as security for a financial obligation to cover the amount should it prove impossible to pay.


4.1
The integrals of Rahn


The integrals of Rahn are four;

1.The collateral
2.The debt
3.The two transacting parties, I.e the person putting up the collateral and the person receiving it.
4.The spoken form


4.2
The conditions of collateral

The conditions of the collateral are two;

1.That it be a particular article
2.That the article is permissible to sell.

4.3
The conditions of debt

The conditions of the debt are four;

1.That it be a debt
2.That it be know to both parties as to how much it is and of what kind.
3.That is exist
4.That it be irrevocable or will eventually result in irrevocability on it's own.


4.4
The conditions of the transacting parties

The conditions of the transacting parties are two;

1.That they act willingly
2.That they have full right of disposal over their property


4.5
The conditions of the spoken form

The conditions of the spoken form of Rahn are the same as the conditions of the spoken form of Bay'.


4.6
An example of Rahn

When 'Amr has a 1,000 Dinar binding debt with Zayd and 'Amr says to Zayd, “ I put up my home as collateral for the 1,000 Dinars that I owe you, “ and Zayd says, “I accept”.







Chapter 5
Personal loans (Qardh)

Qardh lexically means to cutt off.

Qardh legally refers to loaning something to someone on the basis that he will return it's equal.


5.1
The integrals of Qardh

The integrals of Qardh are four;

1.The lender
2.The recipient
3.The loan
4.The spoken form


5.2
The conditions of the lender

The conditions of the lender are two;

1.That he act willingly
2.That he have full right of disposal over what he is lending.


5.3
The conditions of the recipient

The conditions of the recipient are two;

1.That he act willingly
2.That he have full right to transact



5.4
The condition of the loan

The condition of the loan is one;

1.That the loan be an article that may be bought in advance.


5.5
The conditions of the spoken form

The conditions of the spoken form of Qardh are the same as the conditions of the spoken form of Bay'.


5.6
An example of the spoken form

When Zayd says to 'Amr, “I loan you this Dinar,” and 'Amr says, “I accept”.




Chapter 6
Suspension from dealings (Hajr)


Hajr lexically means restriction.

Hajr legally refers to suspending certain individuals from specific transactions for a particular reason.


6.1
Types of suspension

Suspension is of two types;

1.That which has been established in the sacred law in interest of the suspended person, such as the suspension of wealth on the fool hardy person. A fool hardy person is that individual who is incapable of handling his own wealth.

2.That which has been established in the sacred law for the interests of others, such as the suspension of objects of material value on the bankrupt. A bankrupt person is that individual whose current binding debt to another person exceeds his own wealth.


6.2
An example of suspending the fool hardy

When 'Amr squanders his wealth after being financially competent and the judge says, “ I suspend 'Amr from transacting in his wealth”.


6.3
An example of suspending the bankrupt

When 'Amr owes Zayd 1,000 dinars, both current and binding and is in excess of 'Amr's wealth, and Zayd or 'Amr or both of them request from the judge that 'Amr be suspended from transacting and the judge says, “ I suspend 'Amr from transacting in his objects of material value”.


Chapter 7
Settlement (Sulh)


Sulh lexically means to severe a dispute.

Sulh legally refers to the contract by which the dispute is settled.


7.1
Types of Sulh

Sulh is of two types;

1.Settlement over a price reduction.
2.Settlement over a financial recompense.

The first type of Sulh refers to settlement from the plaintiff over some part of an article or debt, while the second type refers to settlement over an article, debt or something else.


7.2
The conditions for the validity of Sulh

The conditions for the validity of Sulh are two;

1.That it be preceeded by a dispute.
2.The confession of the oppossing party.


7.3
An example of Sulh

When Zayd charges 'Amr for a house or twenty dinars which is under his obligation and 'Amr denies it, thereafter 'Amr confesses and Zayd says to him, “ I settle with you for half of the this house or for this garment, or for ten dinars or for this garment”, and 'Amr says, “I accept”.


Chapter 8
Transferring a right to collect a debt (Hawalah)




To be continued Insha Allah....