Before you is a chapter from the great book "Al-Adhkaar" of the Imam and great scholar of the seventh century, Abu Zakariyyah Yahya ibn Sharaf an-Nawawi. The chapter is entitled "Hifdh-ul-Lisaan" or "Guarding the Tongue." The original source, "Al-Adhkaar," is one of the prize works of Imam an-Nawawi in which he compiles and discusses the texts related to what is recommended and forbidden from speech, focusing on al-adhkaar (words of remembrance) and al-ad'iyah (supplications). In the last part of the book, as he explains, Imam an-Nawawi devotes a chapter to what is forbidden and disliked from speech, such as backbiting, gossiping, and slander. So he brings the evidences from the Qur'aan and Sunnah on the obligation of guarding the tongue from evil speech. This great work was checked and verified by Shaikh Saleem ibn 'Eed al-Hilaali and printed in two volumes. In his verification, Shaikh Saleem provides a grading for each hadeeth as well as a discussion about the reason for the hadeeth's authenticity or weakness. Due to a desire to make the e-book a source of easy reading and benefit, the verification of hadeeths have been limited to just the grade that Shaikh Saleem al-Hilaali has provided and the references of the hadeeth sources they can be found in, while abridging his discussions of certain hadeeths in some places.
Author: Abu Zakaria Al-Nawawi
Translators: Abu Maryam Ismaeel Alarcon
Publisher: http://www.almanhaj.com - Almanhaj Website
The book begins with a discussion of the sacred nature of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, the boundaries of the Haram (Sanctuary) and its sanctity. Then it discusses the superiority of Makkah and narrates Ahadith to that effect. Then it mentions the names of Makkah and the significance of these names. This book also speaks of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Isma'il (Ishmael) (peace be upon them) and their connection to Makkah and its sanctity and development.
The author says in the introduction of the second edition, “The overall purpose of this book is to acquaint the reader with the historical factors behind the formulation of Islamic law (Fiqh), in order that he or she may better understand how and why the various schools of Islamic law (Madh-habs) came about. It is hoped that this understanding will in turn, provide a basis for overcoming the petty differences and divisions which occur when present-day followers of different schools of people without definite schools try to work together. Thus, another aim of this book is to provide a theoretical framework for the reunification of the Madhhabs and an ideological basis for Islamic community work free from the divisive effects of Madh-hab factionalism.” The book consists of six chapters: foundation, establishment, building, flowing, consolidation, and stagnation and decline.
Author: Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips
In the work before you, Dr. Umar Al-Ashqar, a well-known contemporary scholar of Islam, has attempted to tackle two important topics. The first topic is that of the characteristics of the jinn. This is a difficult topic for many reasons. One of them is that the devils are known to be liars. Thus, even when a person does encounter them, he cannot put much trust in what they claim about themselves. Therefore, one must virtually rely only on the statements of the Quran and the authentic hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The second topic is the characteristics and methodology of Satan himself. It is no coincidence that Allah has mentioned Satan, his goals, his plots and his allies throughout the entire Quran. This is because Satan is man’s greatest enemy. The believer must know the key to defending himself from Satan.
Author: Omar Bin Sulaiman Al-Ashqar
Reveiwers: Muhammad AbdulRaoof
Translators: Jamaal Zarabozo
Publisher: http://www.islambasics.com - Islam Basics Website
The author said in the beginning, "After reading the Bible carefully and completely, I found it containing the following texts: (1) False texts abusing the attributes of God (2) False texts abusing the prophets, falsely accusing them of adultery, fornication and idol-worshipping (3) Obscene tales full of graphic physical details (4) Strange stories, such as the story of the trees that called for an election among all trees to select the president among them. Still there are many who know nothing about these things. The reason may be: (1) The mere length of the Biblical, more than 3000 pages, which makes it difficult for most people to read (2) The fact that many Christian do not read the Bible but claim it only as a matter of tradition (3) The activities of priests who only read to people what they choose for them to know.
Author: Abdur-Rahman Demashqeyyah
A nice book covering many aspects of wudoo, ghusl, tayammum, and wiping over socks and bandages.
Author: AbdulRahman Bin Abdulkarim Al-Sheha
Source: http://www.islamhouse.com/p/1381