Currently Reading...

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

thats what I thought too...its also 3 volumes...I found it doesn't go into much detail...to each his own :)

I wrote Volume Two because that is what I am currently reading.

It goes in chronological order you see, Volume 1, Volume 2 and then Volume 3.

It's ok - covers the basics.

[salahuddin_ayyubi]

Sharh aqidah al-tahawi by Shaykh Abdul-Rahman Al-Barrak and
Muhammad: Man and Prophet by Adil Salahi

oh,and tafsir as-sa'di

[hearandobey]

Sharh aqidah al-tahawi by Shaykh Abdul-Rahman Al-Barrak

bro do you have the actual book? where did you get it from? jzk

[Abu Ma'mar]

I think he meant Sharh risala al-Tadmuriyya?

The book was made from the Shaykh's lectures on it.

[salahuddin_ayyubi]

Assalamu 'alayk

No, I don't have the actual book, it's ebook (pdf) format, and it's the Sharh of Aqidah Al-Tahawi. Can be downloaded here (http://albrrak.net/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=56&func=counter&filecatid=357).

[Abu wakee]

You have a habit of picking on little things.

But yes, you are right, those are the exact books I have.

Little things come together to make the larger whole, so we should have them right.

[Abu_Talha]

thats what I thought too...its also 3 volumes...I found it doesn't go into much detail...to each his own :)

Not enough detail? That book has so many names of people that I gave up halfway through volume 2, and went to volume 3. But I've always hated reading about the fall of Spain, it reminds me of our situation today and makes me want to cry. I remember reading about Tours when I was like 10 or 11, and I was depressed for days afterwards, thinking that we lost Europe because of something as stupid as war booty.

'And what is the life of the Dunya except a passing enjoyment'.

[Abu Shu'aib]

Not enough detail? That book has so many names of people that I gave up halfway through volume 2, and went to volume 3.

Yup, that was the thing...the author mentions name after name...and rushes over alot of the ghazawaat - not going into much detail or accounts that took place...like he'd just mentioned the muslims won or lost.

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

Yup, that was the thing...the author mentions name after name...and rushes over alot of the ghazawaat - not going into much detail or accounts that took place...like he'd just mentioned the muslims won or lost.

Well in defense of the writer, it's because there is simply so much information, and he's tried to condense it so that the book is easy to read/understand.

On another note, does anybody highlight and annotate the books they read?

[Umm Ahmed]

Well in defense of the writer, it's because there is simply so much information, and he's tried to condense it so that the book is easy to read/understand.

On another note, does anybody highlight and annotate the books they read?

Used to, then I told my children my books are to be given to a library when I die inshaAllaah, I now use post-its

[Niqaabis]

On another note, does anybody highlight and annotate the books they read?

Yes sometimes with a pencil I do

[Abu wakee]

On another note, does anybody highlight and annotate the books they read?

No I don't, to me books are like 'wives', you don't hurt them. Atleast the ones I value. The ones that I don't value as much, I don't do it because I'm too lazy.

[Hamza]

some ppl want books to remain like they did when new; which i find strange. a sign of a good book is wear & tear. i.e. it has been read over and over.

i supose its all personal pref.

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

Used to, then I told my children my books are to be given to a library when I die inshaAllaah, I now use post-its

That's a fine way of looking at it. Masha'Allah.

[Turaabie]

some ppl want books to remain like they did when new; which i find strange. a sign of a good book is wear & tear. i.e. it has been read over and over.

i supose its all personal pref.

Agree.

You can always tell which book is the most beloved to the reader, by looking at the state it is in. The more creases and tears, the more beloved...

[hearandobey]

I am in desperate need of a good book to read... After reading Khaled Hosseini's book I am finding other books quite bland, which has resulted in having many unfinished books on my bookshelf!! Bleh.

So, if anyone has any suggestions, please post up! (by the way I wouldn't even mind a gooood Islamic book) inShaa-Allaah.

Jazzakum-Allaahu Khairan!

i know you asked this ages ago, but if you're looking for "islamic fiction" then go for: leila aboulela's "the minaret" :)

[hearandobey]

right now: fathul majeed fee sharh kitaab al-tawheed.

[Turaabie]

Jazzakillaahu Khayraa' sis, inShaa'Allah, will do so... Once i have some *time* x

[Yasir]

right now: fathul majeed fee sharh kitaab al-tawheed.How would you say it compares to al-Qawl al-Mufeed by Sh. Ibn ‘Uthaimeen rahimahullah?

[Umm]

i know you asked this ages ago, but if you're looking for "islamic fiction" then go for: leila aboulela's "the minaret" :)

What's it about sis?

[hearandobey]

What's it about sis?

sudanese girl that grows up in sudan and has a very western upbringing, falls in love with a communist kind of guy, goes to london later due to political reasons, things happen then when she gets older becomes islamic, then..... ehh i don't want to spoil it, i'm sure you can read some reviews/book description online. :) i personally enjoyed it so did the sisters that borrowed it off me.

if you want i can lend you my copy :)

[Skillganon]

I am currently reading "Islamic Philosophy and Theology by W. Montgomery Watts" after I managed to get a hand on a pdf version of it on the net.

It is quite interesting book, that deals with many sects and the impact of philosophy giving rise to some of them.

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

I am currently reading "Islamic Philosophy and Theology by W. Montgomery Watts" after I managed to get a hand on a pdf version of it on the net.

It is quite interesting book, that deals with many sects and the impact of philosophy giving rise to some of them.

Do you have the link?

[Skillganon]

Do you have the link?

I don't know how much is accurat but it gives a good general Idea of the influence of Philosophy.

Here is the link.

http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/books/ipt-wat.pdf

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

I don't know how much is accurat but it gives a good general Idea of the influence of Philosophy.

Here is the link.

http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/books/ipt-wat.pdf

Cool, JZK.

[Iqra]

Ibn Tayymiyah's Essay on The Jinn (Demons)
Abridged, Annotated and Translated by Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips

I bought this today because the Ruqiyah thread gave me a real scare. I realised how little I know about the jinn.

after this I'm going to, InshaAllaah, read 'The world of the Jinn and Devils' by Umar S. Al-Ashqar. That's been sitting on shelf for years.

[UmmAbdulMalikStorm]

So, does anyone here read fiction? Non-religious fiction anyone?

Well, i just bought Death at Dawn and The Book Thief and im sooooo excited :)

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

So, does anyone here read fiction? Non-religious fiction anyone?

Well, i just bought Death at Dawn and The Book Thief and im sooooo excited :)

I used to read fiction.

Spot the Dog books!

[Um Ismail]

So, does anyone here read fiction? Non-religious fiction anyone?

Well, i just bought Death at Dawn and The Book Thief and im sooooo excited :)

I used to ukhti, I was hooked on Steven King and Dean Koontz, in particular.

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

I used to ukhti, I was hooked on Steven King and Dean Koontz, in particular.


I was hooked on his books too!

Amazing writer, I must say!

[UmmAbdulMalikStorm]

Then what happened to you both?

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

Then what happened to you both?

lol

I became a Hermit, with only Islamic books.

[UmmAbdulMalikStorm]

Ahhh.

Well, there's always room for books of other kinds. You don't know what you're missing :)

[Um Ismail]

well, for me, it was a doubtful matter, since it contained bad words at times, or unislamic concepts and such, so although it was entertaining I had to make the decision to leave it and focus more on reading Qur'an, something i will at least insha'Allah benefit from and use my time wisely. I noticed myself back then hurrying home to read "The hiding place" instead of hurrying to read the Qur'an, astaghfirullah, so it was a personal decision.

[Um Ismail]

I was hooked on his books too!

Amazing writer, I must say!

Yet another thing we seem to have in common. masha'Allah

[hearandobey]

Assalamu alaykum sisters Um Ismail and I_Am_A_Hermit,

Kindly stick to the topic at hand. I deleted the off-topic posts, which you can carry on in your profile messaging section, or even better through PM as that's more private.

Barak Allahu feekuma.

[Um Ismail]

I want to clarify something sister hearandobey, I mistakenly thought I am in the sisters' section as i posted the above deleted messages, and sis I am a hermit and I only exchanged a few innocent comments, granted, unrelated to the topic of the thread, but they would not have been ongoing comments which ruin a thread (like many others that are ruined since people stray off topic in all threads, I believe mods defended this and didn't want to delete everything that is a bit off topic, since such things are normal to happen). Anyway, I did not intend to go off the topic and certainly not to do it continuously, so I apologize for the annoyance and being a burden. I am only clarifying because I don't want anyone on the forum to start suspecting my character due to my deleted posts, as has happened before to others.

Jazaki Allah khayr

[hearandobey]

Wa iyaki.

If someone starts suspecting you of something bad then that's their problem, as they shouldn't be doing so without proof in the first place. I clearly stated "off-topic", which doesn't imply that it was something bad just un-related to the thread's subject.

Please point out to me or the other mods all the other off-topic posts and I'm sure they're willing to delete those that don't need to be there. Yes, a few innocent ones are okay, which in you and sis Hermit's case have been left in other threads (such as the Hawaalian one) but I thought it was getting a bit too much since you were doing it again here and really topics about swimming through the Atlantic and fear of sharks can be done somewhere else.

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

OK - Off Topic. Understood.

Will not happen again.

Sorry.

[Um Ismail]

Wa iyaki.

If someone starts suspecting you of something bad then that's their problem, as they shouldn't be doing so without proof in the first place. I clearly stated "off-topic", which doesn't imply that it was something bad just un-related to the thread's subject.

Please point out to me or the other mods all the other off-topic posts and I'm sure they're willing to delete those that don't need to be there. Yes, a few innocent ones are okay, which in you and sis Hermit's case have been left in other threads (such as the Hawaalian one) but I thought it was getting a bit too much since you were doing it again here and really topics about swimming through the Atlantic and fear of sharks can be done somewhere else.

As I said, I THOUGHT mistakenly I was in the sisters' section, so I was a bit more relaxed than the usual. I know how to use PM and also my personal page, barak Allah feeki for reminding me of it, however OUR exchange of comments was also innocent, it's not like I was joking with a brother. Especially considering I've clarified that I thought to be in the sisters' section by mistake. I am not arguing with you ukhti I am only a bit annoyed how only particular individuals are being nit picked with, which started happening a few weeks ago, and it is not right. And you mentioning our comments in the "hawalian" thread seems insulting to me as well, considering they are innocent comments. I explained there as well why i said what I said, it was to lighten the mood of the thread.

I don't have the time to start pointing out all of the comments of the members who stray from the topics at hand, as that would be 99% of the threads. Point is, it is not true that the mods would delete them all, they refused to do so before.

Anyway, I was clarifying because these things make one look inappropriate in the eyes of the people, especially sisters, and I had to say something so that the same thing does not happen to me that happened to another sister not to long ago, on this forum. It is nothing personal sister. And I ask you also to kindly advise me IN PRIVATE, you can delete my posts if you wish but you do not need to offer a clarification in the thread, do so in private please. jazaki Allah khayr

[hearandobey]

I really don't see the fuss, never the less JZK.

[Um Ismail]

I really don't see the fuss, never the less JZK.


There's no "fuss",you not only deleted them sis but you said "we can carry on in our personal page or EVEN BETTER PM as it's more private", you don't have to say this, or say it in private at least, because it looks like we said God knows what horrible and inappropriate.

And I am a bit hurt with your second comment to me, AFTER I clarified that I THOUGHT I was in the SISTERS' section, thus felt more relaxed. And deleting a comment and then saying yourself, as you did in your sec comment, what was said in them doesn't make sense. There is no need to embarrass and keep embarrassing people dear sister. Think of how the person on the receiving end feels, and our commenst should fall under the category of "a few innocent comments here and there", considering what I've explained to you earlier. Anyway, continue with the topic, and sorry for burdening you with my comments. jazaki Allah khayr

[Magoo]

There's no "fuss",you not only deleted them sis but you said "we can carry on in our personal page or EVEN BETTER PM as it's more private", you don't have to say this, or say it in private at least, because it looks like we said God knows what horrible and inappropriate.

And I am a bit hurt with your second comment to me, AFTER I clarified that I THOUGHT I was in the SISTERS' section, thus felt more relaxed. And deleting a comment and then saying yourself, as you did in your sec comment, what was said in them doesn't make sense. There is no need to embarrass and keep embarrassing people dear sister. Think of how the person on the receiving end feels, and our commenst should fall under the category of "a few innocent comments here and there", considering what I've explained to you earlier. Anyway, continue with the topic, and sorry for burdening you with my comments. jazaki Allah khayr

i think its quite obvious to everyone that your conversation wasnt inappropriate sister, i dont think there anything to argue about or even discuss, both parties seem satisfied, case can be closed inshallah

[hearandobey]

Do you want me to put them idle-talk comments back up so everyone can see you weren't saying anything bad?! What's the big deal?

Sometimes explaining what I did PUBLICLY helps, as other people that do tend to off-topic can see for themselves that their posts are subject to being deleted.

And yes I stand by what I said re. carrying on in your profile messaging section/PM, because you two are sisters and brothers can read these threads and Allahu a'lam who. Do you not care? I thought you'd be saying "oh thanks sis for doing the job for me because after realising I wasn't in the sis' section I too would've deleted my posts".

[UmmAbdulMalikStorm]

Oh my days, enough already!!

This is getting really silly and petty. I suggest you both go to the other thread and write something nice about each other.

Now, i want to talk about books so if you don't mind...

[Um Ismail]

i think its quite obvious to everyone that your conversation wasnt inappropriate sister, i dont think there anything to argue about or even discuss, both parties seem satisfied, case can be closed inshallah

if it wasn't viewed as inappropriate it would not have been deleted and commented on on top of it. Besides, mentioning our comments in the "hawalian" thread is unnecessary, unless they are bothering someone, in which case it needs to be clarified what is it about them that is worth mentioning in relation to what happened here. Otherwise it need not be mentioned at all.

Anyway, I did say in my last post

Anyway, continue with the topic, and sorry for burdening you with my comments. jazaki Allah khayr

I guess it wasn't clear enough, so to make it clear I did not intend to continue the discussion beyond that sentence, satisfied or not.

[Magoo]

im reading arabic for dummies

[UmmAbdulMalikStorm]

Magoo, have you read any fiction lately?

[Magoo]

Magoo, have you read any fiction lately?

i have read the malazan series by steven erikson, its sci-fi fantasy stuff

and i have read monster - autobiography of an l.a gangster

but i dont recommend anyone read these as they take up alot of time that could be used otherwise

[Um Ismail]

hearandobey;139714]Do you want me to put them idle-talk comments back up so everyone can see you weren't saying anything bad?! What's the big deal?

You are missing the point, which is weird considering I clarified I MISTAKENLY THOUGHT I was in the SISTERS SECTION. I said this to you REPEATEDLY, do you not care or do you not believe me? NO it is not about some stupid comments and I was never asking you to put them back. I simply said your comment following up the deletion could have ALSO been said in private, as it looks like we as Muslimahs don't know nothing about the adab of a Muslimah when in public, so you come and tell us about the pesonal page and "even better", PM. Wy do we need to take it to PM if they are not inappropriate, per say? So please don't make us look like we don't know how to behave "in front of men", and please BELIEVE a sister MUSLIMAH when she said she MISTAKENLY thought she was in the SISTERS section, thus more relaxed about her comments.

Sometimes explaining what I did PUBLICLY helps, as other people that do tend to off-topic can see for themselves that their posts are subject to being deleted.

NEVER was of any benefit, and it is done only rarely and only with a few individuals, barely enough to get anyone to learn. But as i said, delete but advise me in PM, if you felt you needed to advise me. This is a personal request and I have my reasons for requesting this from you sister.

because you two are sisters and brothers can read these threads and Allahu a'lam who. Do you not care?[/QUOTE] I thought you'd be saying "oh thanks sis for doing the job for me because after realising I wasn't in the sis' section I too would've deleted my posts".[/QUOTE]

You can stand by what you said, but what is in bold shows that you absolutely do not care about how you made me feel with your INITIAL comment. Had it been ONLY due to the brothers seeing our comments, you would have simply deleted them and not follow up with a comment which DOES imply we said something inappropriate (which is understood from your "even better, PM").

My first comment to you was only to clarify and I believe I was being nice, but then you mentioning the "hawalian" thread and actually MENTIONING what we said in our comments is not logical and is hurtful. Do you not care, sister?

I said jazaki Allah khayr because you deleted my comments, but I guess that wasn't clear so "jazaki Allah khayr for deleting my comments". But not for making the comments you made post deletion. You seem not to care at all, so khalas. I am not the first sister to be picked on by "sisters", it is a trend that started recently. Hopefully I will be the last, insha'Allah.

jazaki Allah khayr

[Abuz Zubair]

As I said, I THOUGHT mistakenly I was in the sisters' section, so I was a bit more relaxed than the usual.

How about if we change the looks for sisters' forums slightly so you will definitely know where you are?

And the same for the brothers?

[Abuz Zubair]

Oh, and we don't have to delete her comments, either. Just move them to a thread is sisters' forum.

[hearandobey]

I apologise I didn't move them to the sisters' section, I didn't know we do that as I followed the rule that off-topic posts are subject to being deleted.

Insha'Allah I'll do that in future.

[Um Ismail]

Oh my days, enough already!!

This is getting really silly and petty. I suggest you both go to the other thread and write something nice about each other.

Now, i want to talk about books so if you don't mind...

I am not saying anything "bad" about the sister, so I don't see why i need to say something "nice" about her, I never thought anything "bad" of her. I was just hurt by her lack of tact in this matter, and initially was nice to her I believe, but the rest of the comments combining with what was done to another sis recently hurt me and I wanted to make that clear. Just because I disagree with someone does not mean I dislike them all of a sudden.

[UmmAbdulMalikStorm]

Why is reading for pleasure considered a waste of time?

Its relaxing, comforting, increases your vocab, aids your creative side etc

Come ON, where are the readers????

[Um Ismail]

How about if we change the looks for sisters' forums slightly so you will definitely know where you are?

And the same for the brothers?

jazak Allah khayran kathiran akhi, that offer is very kind of you, but please don't burden yourself with that because of my silly mistake akhi. The thing is I just made a silly mistake, I'm tired, I saw the post #278, combined the emoticon with the sisters' avatar and thought "sisters' section" without checking!!! I should be more careful insha'Allah in future. Jazakom Allah khayr for the offer though, but you should not have to go through the hassle because of my mistake.

[Yasir]

Umm Abdul-Malik, have you read any of Jeffery Deaver's books?

[Um Ismail]

Oh, and we don't have to delete her comments, either. Just move them to a thread is sisters' forum.

deleting my comments was fine, akhi. I just took issue with the comments (not the reason for deletion, the actual post). No need to move them anywhere, jazakom Allah khayr.

[UmmAbdulMalikStorm]

Umm Abdul-Malik, have you read any of Jeffery Deaver's books?

No I haven't. Any good?

Umm Ismail, I never said you disliked her...but ok.

[Umm Ahmed]

I am not reading anything other than the newspaper and the sunnah Suras and adkhars. Ramadhan and School are starting next week. Rush rush.

[Yasir]

No I haven't. Any good?The themes of his books are based mainly around solving mystery/crimes. They’re well written and an enjoyable read. I think reviewers are correct in saying his books promote lateral thinking. Try one (http://www.jefferydeaver.com/Novels_/novels_.html) of them if you get a chance.

[Turaabie]

Any similarities to James Patterson...?

I can never get into crime books, as i always end up reading the beginning and the end.

[Um Ismail]

lol, i just wanted to say it is petty to give neg rep points because someone disagrees with something. Grow up, whoever you are, and don't tell me I'm exeggerating because you don't know how it feels, nor do you attempt to try. Unless it happens to you.

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

Any similarities to James Patterson...?

I can never get into crime books, as i always end up reading the beginning and the end.

James Patterson!

He is so imaginative. He really brings the characters to life.

I think they even made a movie of one of his books, Along Came a Spider...can't really remember the title.

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

Another fiction book which is stuck in my head.

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksander Solzhenitsyn.

(It's about the Soviet Gulag system).

[Yasir]

Any similarities to James Patterson...?I’ve not read any of James Patterson’s books, but from what I’ve heard they’re fairly similar – especially as both are focussed around crime. Is there a particular title of his that you’d recommend?

Just started reading...How are you finding it? Please post a review once you’ve finished it, as I was planning to get a copy.

[Rakan]

Anatomy of Success by Saleem Bidaoui.

[WM]

Another fiction book which is stuck in my head.

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksander Solzhenitsyn.

(It's about the Soviet Gulag system).

It's absolutely terrible. I've read much worse and much longer before but I couldn't even finish it...no structure, no artistic merit at all...they only liked him because he disapproved of Stalinism and wrote a few crappy allegorical novels about it.

[I_Am_A_Hermit]

Why is reading for pleasure considered a waste of time?

Its relaxing, comforting, increases your vocab, aids your creative side etc

Come ON, where are the readers????

Sister, I think Br. Mujahid puts it rather succinctly in this post (http://forums.islamicawakening.com/showpost.php?p=140296&postcount=7).

[Madarijas-Salikeen]

as-salaamu alaykum,

I should be picking up "Path to Sufism: Deliverance from Error" By al-ghazali rahimahullah tomorrow inshaallaah. I will focus on that a bit.

[Umm Kalthoom]

Just started reading...

http://www.islamicgoodsdirect.co.uk/images/BAL89-lg.jpg

Asalam 3alaikumwara7matulahiwabarakatu

I am going to buy this book insh Allah , how are you finding it Aboo Umar?

Wasalam3alaikumwara7matulahwiabarakatu

[Turaabie]

The above book by Imam Rajab is excellent!

Br.Yasir, the only book i've read (from beginning to end) by J.Patterson is - Suzanne's diary for Nicholas which wasn't actually crime related!

My siblings are his addict, will have to ask them to name a fave, insha'Allah.

[Abu'l Qa'qaa']

Umm Abdul-Malik, have you read any of Jeffery Deaver's books?

I have, he is my favourite author alongside John Grisham... For english novels btw.

[Yasir]

I have, he is my favourite author alongside John Grisham... For english novels btw.Which of his books have you read? What did you think of the storylines?

[Magoo]

Which of his books have you read? What did you think of the storylines?

i think the firm was the best one, the storylines are well written and move at a decent pace, the books are not too long

also "a time to kill" is a very moving tale

[Turaabie]

The Dispute of the Highest Angels -

Al-Hafidh Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali, rahimahullah.

[nobody]

http://www.clausewitz.com/CWZHOME/VomKriege2/ONWARTOC2.HTML

[Salsabil]

Other than religious books, I am reading this interesting book "Guerrilla Warfare" By Ernesto "Che" Guevara. He is something like Khattab (r), only a kafir who fought for a taghut. On-line version:

http://social.chass.ncsu.edu/slatta/hi216/documents/che.htm

[Salsabil]

Also an interesting read about the elite of the army which planned to fight all of the west at once:

Suvorov V. Spetsnaz. The Story Behind the Soviet SAS. — Hamish Hamilton Ltd, 1987

http://militera.lib.ru/research/suvorov6/index.html

[al-istiqamah.com]

It was pretty good, though I wasn't interested in reading too much about the lives of the lawyers etc. The author seemed to support Omar's release.



Does it have much 1st-hand info e.g. interviews with the family, Omar's own words? Or is it more of a 3rd hand account? Do you feel like you know the person by the end of the book?

[alghayb]

'The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Looming_Tower#cite_note-0) by Lawrence Wright (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Wright)

[justabro]

آثار حجج التوحيد في مؤاخذة العبيد (الميثاق - الفطرة - العقل - الآيات الكونية)

by Madhat Aal Farraj

Excellent read

It's about that the following proofs for Tawhid: the Mithaq, Fitrah, Intellect, and natural signs play in establishing the hujjah against the mushrikin.

[Brother_Mujahid]

The Case for Islamo-Christian Civilization by Dr. Richard W. Bulliet. I've also been reading the Histories of Tacitus off and on.

[Yasir]

آثار حجج التوحيد في مؤاخذة العبيد (الميثاق - الفطرة - العقل - الآيات الكونية)

by Madhat Aal Farraj

Excellent read

It's about that the following proofs for Tawhid: the Mithaq, Fitrah, Intellect, and natural signs play in establishing the hujjah against the mushrikin.

How long is the text and who are the publishers?

[hearandobey]

How long is the text and who are the publishers?

It is published by Maktabatul Rushd (http://www.rushd.com/productDetail.asp?Prod_Id=113875&Parent_ID=0).

Currently:
- The Qur'an with Zubdat al-Tafsir
- al-Asha'ira fee Mizan Ahlus Sunnah
- Ishtiqaq Asmaa' Allah

[Yasir]

It is published by Maktabatul Rushd (http://www.rushd.com/productDetail.asp?Prod_Id=113875&Parent_ID=0).

Currently:
- The Qur'an with Zubdat al-Tafsir
- al-Asha'ira fee Mizan Ahlus Sunnah
- Ishtiqaq Asmaa' Allah

JZK for the link. How are you finding Zubdah at-Tafsir? How does it compare with others like Tafsir as-Sa’di?

A couple of books I’ve been reading recently:
- Ithaaf al-Jamaa’ah
- Nafahaat al-Hind wal-Yaman
- al-Unsu bi-Dhikrillah
- Speaking in Tongues by Jeffery Deaver
- Dark Matter by Greg Iles

[hearandobey]

JZK for the link. How are you finding Zubdah at-Tafsir? How does it compare with others like Tafsir as-Sa’di?

BarakAllahu feek. It is definitely different from that of as-Sa'di. Zubdah is a mukhtasar of Imam Shawkani's Fathul Qadir, so it's pretty much a muyassar version of it. He gives the tafsir of almost every aya in the page, however you won't get the word for word approach as it is in Jalalayn.

I've attached the tafsir of the last ten from the book, which should give you a proper idea about how it is insha'Allah.

Also, see this (http://www.ahlalhdeeth.com/vb/showthread.php?t=123736) discussion about it from al-Multaqa.

[justabro]

JZK for the link. How are you finding Zubdah at-Tafsir? How does it compare with others like Tafsir as-Sa’di?

These are my thoughts on Zubdat al-Tafsir (I am also reading it presently) I wrote this just the other day in an email so it's not exactly a direct answer to your question

When reading a short tafsir, there are basically three essential things that I personally look for:

(1) the definitions of the individual words
(2) the overall meaning of a statement
(3) what that statement may be intended to refer to (be it a sabab nuzul or a comment on something earlier in the surah), or one might say its maghzaa rather than merely its ma'naa

Of the short tafsirs, I feel Zubdat al-Tafsir has the best balance in regards to these aspects, while al-Tafsir al-Muyassar is best for no. 2 in particular. Zubdat al-Tafsir also does a good job of providing you insightful athar and ahadith that shed light on the subject at hand.

With Jalalayn, I often feel like I never know if I'm going to get what I'm looking for (maybe because I'm not as intimately familiar with it). Of course, al-Tafsir al-Muyassar doesn't really give me everything either, but I usually know what to expect. This is one of the downsides of short tafsirs. You don't know which words they decided really need explanation (or what type of explanation) and which ones don't. Nonetheless, Jalalayn is indeed a beneficial Tafsir.

If someone studies al-Muyassar it would probably be best to keep a book on Gharib al-Qur'an next to it to look up the definitions of those words they fall short in understanding.

[justabro]

It is published by Maktabatul Rushd (http://www.rushd.com/productDetail.asp?Prod_Id=113875&Parent_ID=0).


It's 300 pages but with the spacing and style of writing not very long. I'm already at 100 pages and I dont feel like I've been reading long at all.

[hearandobey]

JZK for sharing that justabro, you're definitely right about the hadiths and athar, as Sh al-Ashqar has done a good job in quoting them with the relevant ayaat etc.

[Yasir]

These are my thoughts on Zubdat al-Tafsir (I am also reading it presently) I wrote this just the other day in an email so it's not exactly a direct answer to your question

JZK dear justabro for sharing your thoughts – invaluable as always!

By “al-Tafsir al-Muyassar” are you referring to “(al-Waadih) al-Muyassar” by Sh. as-Sabuni or the one prepared by a group of scholars? If it’s the former then I’ve found that to be a fairly useful tafsir particularly in the way in which he summarises the (often lengthy and technical) discussions in earlier works and presents a suitable inference. It’s similar to Tafsir as-Sa’di in many ways although it has a little more flow and readability.

al-Jalalayn is useful for learning the language and appreciating some of the grammatical structures in aayaat. It’s not something that flows very well but is easy to read and follow. What do you think of Hashiyah as-Saawi?

Could you please suggest a suitable text on Gharib al-Qur’an?

[justabro]

JZK dear justabro for sharing your thoughts – invaluable as always!

By “al-Tafsir al-Muyassar” are you referring to “(al-Waadih) al-Muyassar” by Sh. as-Sabuni or the one prepared by a group of scholars? If it’s the former then I’ve found that to be a fairly useful tafsir particularly in the way in which he summarises the (often lengthy and technical) discussions in earlier works and presents a suitable inference. It’s similar to Tafsir as-Sa’di in many ways although it has a little more flow and readability.
I am referring to the one prepared by a group of scholars, identified here:

http://ahlalhdeeth.com/vb/showthread.php?t=145628

al-Jalalayn is useful for learning the language and appreciating some of the grammatical structures in aayaat. It’s not something that flows very well but is easy to read and follow. What do you think of Hashiyah as-Saawi?
I have not ever read it

Could you please suggest a suitable text on Gharib al-Qur’an?
I am searching for a good one myself presently. I had bought Tuhfat al-Areeb by Abu Hayyan but it is entirely too basic. It is intended for absolute beginners. It gives a one word definition for every gharib word. It may have been useful for what he intended but a short tafsir, particularly like al-Tafsir al-Muyassar, will already provide you with that.

I am still looking for something with good, precise definitions. There is of course al-Raghib's book, but I want something that follows along the Mushaf. This is something new:

http://www.tafsir.org/vb/showthread.php?p=53595
http://www.factway.net/vb/showthread.php?t=8666

I wonder if it's worth checking out.

[Dawn]

"charity even with a trifle"

[Umm Ahmed]

i think the firm was the best one, the storylines are well written and move at a decent pace, the books are not too long

also "a time to kill" is a very moving tale

I liked ''The Chamber'' it gives insight into the life of those in death row , and it takes a look at the white south when killing blacks was nothing and how whole family were in the KK and the affects on those who wanted no part of that.

[Abu Shu'aib]

Does it have much 1st-hand info e.g. interviews with the family, Omar's own words? Or is it more of a 3rd hand account? Do you feel like you know the person by the end of the book?

There are some interviews with the family but it’s in the layout of a story rather than transcripts (if that makes sense). There are a few letters from Omar to his family...(note: he writes in broken English)...the majority of the info is 3rd hand stuff from his lawyers. Generally narrating what Omar said and did...also documentary reports which members of the family did in Canada...etc. While the book was meant to focus on Omar in the end you get a general picture of the family...the history, there decisions and how they effected Omar's case...overall it was a good read al-Hamdulilâh…definitely worth picking up.

[Abu Ikrimah]

I liked ''The Chamber'' it gives insight into the life of those in death row , and it takes a look at the white south when killing blacks was nothing and how whole family were in the KK and the affects on those who wanted no part of that.

I remember one about an American lawyer who was pardoned and had to live in hiding in Italy, it was called The Broker - fascinating story!

[al-istiqamah.com]

overall it was a good read al-Hamdulilâh…definitely worth picking up.

Jazaakullah khayran. I purchased a copy in Ramadaan and read it. Definitely recommended reading.

[justabro]

Anyone read this:

http://islamicbookstore.com/b8777.html

[Yasir]

I am still looking for something with good, precise definitions. There is of course al-Raghib's book, but I want something that follows along the Mushaf. This is something new:

http://www.tafsir.org/vb/showthread.php?p=53595
http://www.factway.net/vb/showthread.php?t=8666

I wonder if it's worth checking out.

Were you able to pick up a copy of al-Siraaj or did you decide on another text for Gharib al-Qur’an?

[hearandobey]

justabro, what are your thoughts on al misbahul muneer by al fayoumi?

[Abu_Abdallah]

Tartib Asrar al-Suwar by al-Suyuti, and parts of Madrasat al-Hadith fi'l-Andalus (2 vol.) by an Algerian ustadh in Hadith.. Does one know of any other (classic or modern) book dealing only with the tartib of Surahs ?

[justabro]

Were you able to pick up a copy of al-Siraaj or did you decide on another text for Gharib al-Qur’an?

For the time being, I have decided on Kalimat al-Qur'an: Tafsir wa Bayan by Hasnayn Makhluf. His definitions are detailed and precise. He also tries to take the context into consideration and explain the word's intended meaning in its particular meaning.

For example, in Surat al-Baqara:

طغيانهم - مجاوزتهم الحد وغلوهم في الكفر
نقدس لك - نمجدك ونطهر ذكرك عما لا يليق بعظمتك
الغمام - السحاب الأبيض الرقيق
رغدا - أكلا واسعا هنيئا لا عناء فيه

I finally got a chance to look at Siraj, but after reading Makhluf's book, it doesn't seem he goes to the same length to try and be precise in choosing his words for his definitions. This is not necessarily a knock against the book. It is almost standard procedure to just give synonyms or approximate definitions. Makhluf seems to be more precise than most. Short of keeping a copy of Raghib's Mufradat at your side when reading the Mushaf, I think Makhluf's book is the best choice.

However, I would still like to sit down sometime and read through definitions for at least a Juz or two of Siraj to make a proper comparison.

Both of them seem to cover about the same amount of words, give or take. Both order the words according to their place in the Mushaf. You can easily go through and quickly read all the definitions given for a single juz in just a few minutes. It is possible that Siraj may have less mistakes even if it uses less precise language (even that needs to be proven with a more thorough comparison than the one that I made).

I would personally suggest going through Makhluf's book and marking:

(1) any words you didn't know
(2)any words which you thought you knew but you only knew the approximate definition while he has provided a precise definition
(3) in some cases, he has provided situational tafsir, rather than a definition (after all, who needs a definition for the word Kitab, but you might need to know it refers to al-Lawh al-Mahfuz or to the Qur'an or to the Torah in a given place), if you find any beneficial, mark these down as well

After you've marked anything new you've learned, revise these words every time you read that portion of the Qur'an until they become second nature to you.

After that, one should probably just read through Raghib's Mufradat.

[Umm]

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.
I last read it over 15 years ago :eek:

[WM]

over 15 years ago

Old!

[Niqaabis]

Does my head look big in this? by Randa Abdel Fattah

and

The degrees of the soul by Shaykh Abd al-Khaliq al-Shabrawi

[Umm]

Well, it's even better 2nd time around Masha'Allah. The author S.E. Hinton wrote it when she was 17.

[Brother_Mujahid]

I've started with al-Ghazali's "The Incoherence of the Philosophers," translated by Michael E. Marmura. I read the translator's introduction last night, and now I'm going to be reading the refutation of the philosophers' assertion of the world's eternity.

[WM]

refutation of the philosophers' assertion of the world's eternity

As a consummate time-waster I can tell you- this is a waste of time! :D

[hearandobey]

Nadhm al-Durar by al-Bqaa'e (I don't know what follows the baa', dhammah, fathah, kasrah..!)
Fee Dhilal al-Qur'an by Sayid Qutb (In Arabic :))
Mafhum al-tafseer etc. by Dr Musa'id al-Tayyar

[Abul Hasan]

Medina Series for Arabic PART 2

lol

[Yasir]

BarakAllahu feek. It is definitely different from that of as-Sa'di. Zubdah is a mukhtasar of Imam Shawkani's Fathul Qadir, so it's pretty much a muyassar version of it. He gives the tafsir of almost every aya in the page, however you won't get the word for word approach as it is in Jalalayn.

I've attached the tafsir of the last ten from the book, which should give you a proper idea about how it is insha'Allah.

Also, see this (http://www.ahlalhdeeth.com/vb/showthread.php?t=123736) discussion about it from al-Multaqa.

JZK... It looks very good, masha’Allah.
Do you happen to have any idea where this print could be purchased in the UK, insha’Allah?

[Bint Qudaamah]

al-Qur'aan al-Kareem :) It's pretty hard for me to read any other, esp when you're doing hifdh & revision 3 times a week.

[Skillganon]

I decided to read again about Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhab (available for download):

The Life, Teachings and Influence of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab (http://www.islamhouse.com/p/54190) by Jamaal Zarabozo


This by far the best detail and comprehensive account I found on him and his life and teaching. I read quite a few biography on him but this seem to stand out.

[hatimabu]

I decided to read again about Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhab (available for download):

The Life, Teachings and Influence of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab (http://www.islamhouse.com/p/54190) by Jamaal Zarabozo


This by far the best detail and comprehensive account I found on him and his life and teaching. I read quite a few biography on him but this seem to stand out.
Have you read Jalal Abualrub's "Biography and Mission of Muhammad bin 'Abdul-Wahhab (http://www.onlineislamicstore.com/b8939.html)"? If so, how does it compare to Jamal ad-Din Zarabozo's?

[abu imaan an-nepalee]

Nadhm al-Durar by al-Bqaa'e (I don't know what follows the baa', dhammah, fathah, kasrah..!)



you mean this sister? : http://www.waqfeya.com/book.php?bid=326

[abu imaan an-nepalee]

آثار حجج التوحيد في مؤاخذة العبيد (الميثاق - الفطرة - العقل - الآيات الكونية)

by Madhat Aal Farraj

Excellent read

It's about that the following proofs for Tawhid: the Mithaq, Fitrah, Intellect, and natural signs play in establishing the hujjah against the mushrikin.

How long is the text and who are the publishers?

It is published by Maktabatul Rushd (http://www.rushd.com/productDetail.asp?Prod_Id=113875&Parent_ID=0).

Currently:
- The Qur'an with Zubdat al-Tafsir
- al-Asha'ira fee Mizan Ahlus Sunnah
- Ishtiqaq Asmaa' Allah

It's 300 pages but with the spacing and style of writing not very long. I'm already at 100 pages and I dont feel like I've been reading long at all.

pdf: http://www.zshare.net/download/20226957288d1794/

[hearandobey]

you mean this sister? : http://www.waqfeya.com/book.php?bid=326

yup, i've got the DKI edition though (8vols). the scanned version is good in the sense that it compares between the different manuscripts of the original work, though there are too many volumes!

[hearandobey]

pdf: http://www.zshare.net/download/20226957288d1794/

could you pls upload that to another site as i tried downloading it over three times now and it's not working for me? jzk!

[ibn 'abd al-jabbaar]

Currently reading through Studies in Hadith Methodology and Literature by Prof. Mustafa A`zami, and also The History of the Qur'anic Text: From Revelation to Compilation by the same author. I'll post reviews up in the other thread once I'm done insha Allah.

[abu imaan an-nepalee]

Currently reading through Studies in Hadith Methodology and Literature by Prof. Mustafa A`zami, and also The History of the Qur'anic Text: From Revelation to Compilation by the same author. I'll post reviews up in the other thread once I'm done insha Allah.

I love this shaykh's books, they are both really good as well. maasha'ALLAH

[Iqra]

Burnishing The Heart by Abdul Wahid Hamid

How To Rectify Your Heart by Abu Islaam Saaleh Bin Taaha Abdul-Waahid

[Abu Ikrimah]

al-Qur'aan al-Kareem :) It's pretty hard for me to read any other, esp when you're doing hifdh & revision 3 times a week.


Well, rest assured that there is nothing that you could read that is better!