In the Ḥanafī school, legal rulings (masā’il) are categorised into three main sources: Ẓāhir ar-Riwāyah, Nawādir, and Nawāzil. In this article, I will give a brief introduction to the categories of Ḥanafī Masā’il books…
Category: Miscellaneous
Sources for the Life of Imam Abū Ḥanīfa
Hagiography, by definition, presents the lives of saints or revered figures with the primary aim of imparting spiritual lessons. These works are not subjected to the same rigorous scrutiny as historical or hadith-based reports, as their purpose is more focused on…
Books Attributed to Imam Abū Ḥanīfa: A Historical and Analytical Overview
Of these five works, one—Risāla ilā ʿUthmān al-Battī—is generally accepted as being correctly attributed to Imām Abū Ḥanīfa. Two of the remaining works are reliably traced back to his students, though it remains a matter of debate whether they reflect Imām Abū Ḥanīfa’s own words or those of his disciples.
The Seeker of Knowledge and the Enthusiast of Knowledge
An enthusiast of knowledge (mutadhawwiq al-ʿilm) is someone who has a passion for knowledge, possesses familiarity with certain subjects, books, and scholars, and may even engage with scholars or students of knowledge.
Ancestral Footsteps: My Rihla to Uzbekistan
“Your grandfather studied in the Dār al-Muʿallimīn madrasa when he was in Uzbekistan.” These were my mother’s words on the final voice note she sent me, wishing me a safe trip to Uzbekistan.
Ḥanafī Biographical Dictionaries
This article will delve into the specific motives driving the compilation of ṭabaqāt works. Furthermore, a closer look is taken at five prominent works within the Hanafi tradition…
Hadith Auditions and Young Attendees
During these auditions, an invigilator (مُثْبِت الأسماء or مُثَبِّت السَّمَاع or كاتِب الطِّباق) was appointed to meticulously record the names of attendees and absentees, along with any relevant information, in a register (طَبَقَة plural = طِبَاق).
How to Start Seeking Islamic Knowledge
Firstly, it is important to consider whether you want to seek knowledge just for yourself i.e. to understand what Allāh Taʾālā has obligated, forbidden upon you, or, you want to seek knowledge on a scholarly level, to get guidance and be a source of guidance for others…
What to do After Graduating ʿĀlimiyyah?
This is a common question, and the answer to it is quite circumstantial. Therefore, some people might find a few of the following suggestions impractical. Thus, every individual can make a different decision based on their unique interests, abilities, and circumstances. The following are only a few suggestions on what one can do after graduating from the ʿālimiyyah course…
How Can I Bring Myself to Read More Often?
One obstacle, however, is that in this era brimming with potential distractions, some students find it difficult to read. Thus, below I aim to list a few general tips that might help with motivating and disciplining one to read more often.
Hadithiyya 