Islamic Academia: Book Reviews

[Fajr]

As-salamu `alaykum

I thought it beneficial to have a thread where you recommend and give reviews on books in the Islamic Sciences (whether Fiqh, 'Aqidah, Hadeeth, 'Uloom al-Qur'an etc).

Books can be in any language but if possible, please provide brief info on the publishers, authors and what kind of students the book will really benefit.

Ps. Less of the argumentation and more of the academic discussions please

[Fajr]

الملخص المفيد في علم التجويد
Al-Mulakhas al-Mufeed fi 'Ilm al-Tajweed [Arabic]

By Ustadh Muhammad Ahmad Ma'bad
- Teacher of Qur'an and Tajweed in Masjid al-Nabawi, Madinah

Published by Dar al-Salam

The format of the book is predominantly 'Questions followed by Exam style Answers', complete with examples and lines of poetry from the famous nadhms in tajweed (ihtijaj). Author has made a point of inserting exam style questions for the student to answer independently as well as condensing rules into diagrams and tables - towards the end of book, the 2 nadhms Matn al-Jazariyyah (by Imam Ibn al-Jazari) and Matn Tuhfat al-Atfal (by Imam al-Jamzuri) have been added as well as info on the Qir'at al-'Ashr and Mutashabihat al-Qur'an.

I find it to be very beneficial for the student wishing to become proficient in tajweed, particularly in Qira'at Hafs `an 'Asim.

[Captain Gora]

This is a great thread.

It would be very beneficial if the quality of the print would be discussed as well and if one has seen many, he would point out the best of them.

Masha-Allah.

[Captain Gora]

العرف الناشر في شرح و أدلة فقه متن ابن عاشر
al-'Arf al-Nashir fi Sharh wa Adillat Fiqh Matn Ibn 'Ashir (arabic)

by al-Mukhtar ibn al-'Arabi Mu'min al-Jaza'iri thumma al-Shinqiti

Publisher: Dar Ibn Hazm
300 pages

Description: An explanation of the famous Maliki text for beginners al-Murshid al-Mu'in by Ibn 'Ashir al-Andalusi (d. 1040 H) which is a short poem covering the five pillars of Islam.

The author has studied with the Mauritanians and you can see him mentioning his shaikh with great respect every now and then when discussing different issues, yet he is not from the muqallida Malikis and focuses alot on the evidences of the legal issues.

He has dropped the 'Aqida part of the poem (which is Ash'ari) since "that part is differed over" as he put it.

The language of the book is very readable and easy, and the author explains the vocabulary of the poem in both linguistic and legal terms and also goes on to clarify the gharib or strange seeming wordings of the proofs. Knowing the Shinqitis, he does all of this very well.

The book has been recommended by Muhammad al-Hasan Walad al-Daddu, Salman al-'Auda and two other perhaps a bit less known Shinqiti scholars.

Great print which includes a complete list of contents.

[Abdullah Abbas]

al Fiqh al Islami



by Shaykh Mohammad Akram Nadwi

Written by Shaykh Mohammad Akram Nadwi, Al-Fiqh Al-Islami is an original masterly composition of the Fiqh (codified legal rulings) of Imam Abu Hanifah and his school of thought. For the first time in the English language, the detailed rulings of Hanafi Fiqh alongside the evidences from which they have been derived are presented with meticulous research and detailed references. Most importantly, current day issues have also been incorporated to make this book the first authentic, relevant and practical Hanafi work in the English language.
“This book is sound in fiqh and reflects the thorough and accurate knowledge of its author. From my experience in the field of fiqh, I would judge that this book will have tremendous value for its users. May Allàh make this book of benefit to all who turn to it”.

Dr. Hussam Al-Dean Farfour
Vice-President, Al-Fath Islamic Association
Damascus

“The distinction of this book is that it explains the issues and rulings of the Shari’ ah in an easy style, providing the arguments and evidences for them. It directs the reader to the original sources of the law, which is a fundamental need of our time”.

Maulana Zahid al-Rashidi
Secretary-General Pakistan Shari`at Council

[Fajr]

روضة العقلاء ونزهة الفضلاء
Rawdhat al-'Uqalaa' wa Nuzhat al-Fudhalaa'

By Imam Abu Hatim ibn Hibban

Publisher: Maktabah al-'Asriyyah, Beirut (2005)
~ 280 pages

A very nice classical book by the muhaddith Ibn Hibbaan dealing with adab, character and sulook. He discusses the praiseworthy and blameworthy characteristics of ahl al-'ilm and 'aql. The best thing I find in this book is the way the author has managed to set out each topic: he brings ayaat first followed by ahadeeth followed by lines of famous poetry then by quotes of the scholars and righteous of this Ummah. He also writes a paragraph or two in each section with wisdom and dhabt & since he is a muhaddith, he provides the isnad of each hadeeth that he quotes as well as the sahib of each poem which he uses.

Some topics covered include: virtue of seeking knowledge, peity, humbleness, companionship/brotherhood, remembering death, keeping away from foolishness and ignorance, from lies and enmity etc.

This publication by maktabat al-'Asriyyah stands out from other publications as it's in a nice compact A5 size and in the footnotes, the ustadh Muhammad al-Fadhili has extracted the ahadeeth, stated the poetric metres (bahr) of each poem, given brief biographic info on each personality ('alam) mentioned in the book and explained away some difficult linguistic terms.

Quality of print: Excellent

A very beneficial read for everyone - particularly the student of knowledge who'll benefit from the statements & lives of 'ulema recorded in this book.

[hearandobey]

BarakAllahu feeki sis, this is excellent.

مباحث في علوم القران
by Mannaa' al-Qattaan.
Published by Mu'assasat al-Risalah.

This books is excellent both in terms of content and quality of print (something Mu'assasat al-Risalah is quite known for). The book is about Uloom al-Quraan and it has everything from the definition of the terms such as qur'an, ayah, revelation and what happened, compilation, tafaseer, types of it etc. very comprehensive and I've seen many works refer to it and quote from it, including books in English such as "An Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur'an" by Yasir Qadhi and Dr Bilal Philis' Usool al-Tafseer.

This book is very useful for those that want a brief information and description of the classical tafaseer and their pros/cons.

Definitely recommended for the beginner in this field.

[hearandobey]

An Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur'an
by Yasir Qadhi
Published by al-Hidaayah, Birmingham.

I've only managed to look at two books on Uloom al-Qur'an in the English language so far, and they are this and Usool al-Tafseer by Dr Bilal Philips. I would definitely recommend this over Philips' one any day for several reasons. Firstly, this book is an excellent resource for the English speakers and Yasir Qadhi has translated and brought forth excellent quotes from ulama' that specialise in this field, namely al-Suyoti and al-Zarkashi. He discusses everything in its appropriate order and even discusses classical tafasir that were on the way of the salaf and those of the Mu'tazilah etc. He also devoted a section that dealt with the speech of Allah.

The reason I wouldn't recommend that of Bilal Philips, all though I must admit I haven't had a complete look at it, is because straight from the beginning he brings forth so many names of imams and people from the salaf and I feel that for a beginner and especially an English speaker this can be really off-putting and in fact quite irrelevant really. There is still much benefit in Dr Philips' work and I think it maybe better to start off with Yasir Qadhi's one and then perhaps read Dr Philips' work after that.

Quality of print is very good, the book is no less than £12 (at least in shops and sites where I've seen, Allahu a'lam). Down points? I personally do not like the double vowels: Allaah, Soofee, etc. perhaps Muslims will not find it annoying but I think that had this book had a bit more of an "academic touch" to it, then even non-Muslims could use it as a reference for quotes etc or why not even the Muslims that write thesis in English? Allah knows best.

[Fajr]

البلاغة الواضحة
Al-Balagha al-Wadiha [Arabic]

By 'Ali al-Jarim and Mustafa Amin

Distributors: Dar al-Ma'arif

300+ pgs
Edition: 1999

An absolute must for the student wishing to explore language and literature. Topics covered run through the branches of bayan, badee' and ma'ani in the field of balagha. This book was designed for students in secondary school through to university level by two teachers well grounded in adab and lugha. Selling point is the plentiful examples and the simple sharh given as well as the great footnotes which expound on poets and authors mentioned in the text and give explanations to the gharib minal alfadh. Downside... you really need a teacher at times to explain away some of the qawa'id and poems.

There are also sets of questions and sample tests - some with answers, others without to test your understanding of the chapter covered.

The current publication I have is the old one, but for some reason I prefer it to the newer more enhanced publication - the Shar'iyyah publication which has clearer formatting, more examples and questions.

Quality of print: The Shar'iyyah print is excellent but this current older print is not too good (I still like it though).

[justabro]

سيد قطب
من الميلاد إلى الاستشهاد

Syed Qutb: From Birth Till Martyrdom

By Dr. Salah al-Khalidi

Publisher: Dar al-Qalam, Dimashq

582 pages

This book originated as part of Dr. al-Khalidi's Master's Thesis on Syed Qutb's theory on al-Taswir al-Fanni. Muhammad Qutb, who was part of the review committee, was so impressed with his biography and the style in which it was written, he said he deserved a master's just for it, not because the subject of the biography was his brother, but because of the way that he brought him to life.

This biography was then published under the title Syed Qutb al-Shahid al-Hayy. Later on, al-Khalidi significantly reviewed and expanded this work based on new research into Syed Qutb's life, and republished it under this title.

I have just finished it and all I can say is wow, Syed Qutb is a true hero, may Allah accept him amongst the martyrs! The book contains detailed account of his life, before his religious stage and after, as well as accounts of the time that he spent in prison all the way up to his execution.

It also offers a thorough review of his works, published and unpublished, his writings from his Islamic stage and his writings from before it.