Nobody Has The Right To Criticise Imam Shafi'i Rh

Assalaamu'alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

I have received many forwarded emails giving new "unique" and so-felt "intelligent" ways to approach Islamic juristic laws. I am no expert myself, and have always regarded that the Ulama (scholars) are my guides and means of myself being protected from the Fire of Jahannam.

When I read these entries / posts - it fumes me with rage, firstly because of my own weakness of being unable to contain my anger against blasphemous claims of righteousness; but more secondly and primarily - due to the fact that these claims are actually tools of Shaytaan to destroy our Deen of Islam, and hence our practice of our Deen, and hence our spiralling down into the pit of Jahannam. May Allah protect us all. Ameen.

In my humble mind, I find it extraordinarily dubious that people who claim to be knowledgeable say things that directly or indirectly attack the credibility of Imam Shafi'i Rahmatullahu 'Alaih. These people go about looking for Dalils (evidences) from Hadith, and they do not stop. Even "better" they back their Hadith evidences with "certification" - claiming that their evidences either come from the collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, and so forth. This is actually very comical; because little do they know that these illustrious Imams of Hadith are all Shafi'is in practice themselves. It is absolutely hillarious. In other words, they follow, abide and carbon copy the methodology of Imam Shafi'i Rh in deriving, abiding, following and conveying the Laws of Shari'ah.

Infact, many illustrious scholars are Shafi'is. If we were to spend our post here to name them all, then I guess I would have to use up an extra hour for the time I spend in crafting this email response. But anyway, let us just list some of our frontliners, to give a taste of reality...and of course - Ilm (knowledge).

Among the glorious Scholars of Islam who were Shafi'is in their juristic practices are:

(Imam of Aqidah)
1. Abu Al-Hasan Ash'ari Rh

(Imams of Hadith)
2. Imam Muhammad ibn Ismail Al-Bukhari Rh
3. Imam Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj Rh
4. Imam Nasa'i Rh
5. Imam Bayhaqi Rh
6. Imam Tirmidhi Rh
7. Imam Ibn Majah Rh
8. Imam Ibn Hibban Rh
9. Imam Daraqutni Rh
10. Imam Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani Rh
11. Imam Abu Dawud Rh
12. Imam Nawawi Rh
13. Imam As-Suyuti Rh
14. Imam Ibn Kathir Rh
15. Imam Dhahabi Rh
16. Imam Al-Hakim Rh

(Imams of Fiqh)
17. Sheikh Khatib Shirbini Rh
18. Ibn Hajar Haytami Rh
19. Imam Al-Rafi'i Rh
20. Imam An-Nawawi Rh
21. Al-Hafiz Izzuddin Abdus-Salam Rh
22. Imam Daqiiqul-Eid Rh

(Imams of Tafsir & Sirah)
23. Imam Mawardi Rh
24. Imam Al-Baghawi Rh
25. Imam Fakhruddin Ar-Razi Rh
26. Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir Rh
27. Shaykh Khatib Al-Baghdadi Rh
28. Imam Al-Baydhawi Rh

(Other Leading Scholars and Religious Experts)

29. Imam Jalaluddin Al-Mahally Rh
30. Imam Taqiyuddin As-Subki Rh
31. Imam Tajuddin As-Subki Rh
32. Shaykhull-Islam Zakariyya Al-Ansari Rh
33. Imam Ramli Rh
34. Imam Al-Ghazali Rh
35. Imam Tabari Rh (who later became an independent Mujtahid)

See - it is a colourful, magnificent, glorious and supreme list of Ulama - who are the flagbearers and legacy of Rasulullah SAW.

Now - one may ask in irony - how come Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah - are all Shafi'is?

Were they not capable too?

Were they not pious?

Were they not accessible to the various sources of Deen?

Were they not closer in their time to Rasulullah SAW?

Were they not in an age when the reasonings in Islamic Law and the Arabic medium was understood crystal clear?

I tell you now - if there were Imam Bukhari Rh standing in front of me here on one side, and the other side was a charismatic critique-blogger from year 2009 with a loose tongue also in front of me - then of course I would want to follow Imam Bukhari Rh. Default selection by using the minutest basic intelligence.

And then I think I will want to ask Imam Bukhari Rh - why is it that you are following Imam Shafi'i Rh although you are a Hadith Master, the most authentic in nature, the strictest in requirements, and when you sit in Hadith readings during your glorious time, you didn't even need to use a pen to jot down notes, yet you memorised the narrations; you can memorise each hadith text, and their narrators right up to Rasulullah SAW; and you know the qualities, strengths and weaknesses of these narrators as if you knew them like your own family - then why still do you follow the juristic requirements of Imam Shafi'i Rh?

Why O Imam Bukhari Rh?

I can imagine, that the realistic answer from Imam Bukhari Rh to this hypothetical question would be:

"I am an expert in the collection of authentic narrations of Hadith, but the best integrator, systemiser of the evidences we have in the forray of Islamic Jurisprudence - so that every Muslim can abide by the rules of the Lord Almighty was Imam Shafi'i Rh.

Imam Shafi'i Rh is the scholar of Islam who developed established, integrated, and documented the systematised and cohesive form of fundamentals / origins for Islamic legal reasoning. This helped to further eradicate the problem when various sources of Hadith gave conflicting conclusions or so-seemed confusing / inconsistent."

The A-B-C for any Muslim who plans to understand the core-ultra-basics of Islamic Law is to firstly understand the term: Usul-ul-Fiqh.

What is it?

Well, Usul-ul-Fiqh, literally translates in Arabic as "The Origins / Fundamentals of the Laws" - which is the study of the origins, sources, and principles upon which Islamic Jurisprudence is based.

In narrow terms, it simply refers to the question of - what are the sources of Islamic Law?

In an extended sense, it includes the study of the philosophy and rationale of Islamic Law and the procedures by which the law applicable to particular cases is derived from the sources.

Thus, Imam Shafi'i Rh was responsible to raise the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW to a place of prominence and fixed its position for legal use - that is to say - only practices directly passed down from the Prophet Muhammad SAW were valid. Imam Shafi'i Rh is best known for writing Al-Risalah, which is a prime example of applying logic and order to Islamic Jurisprudence.

Imam Shafi'i Rh was the one who established that there are basically four major sources of jurisprudence: that is -

(i) the Qur'an,
That is - Imam Shafi'i Rh established that the first source of law covers those duties made clear in the Qur'an. For example, Al-Risalah says that in the Qur'an men must "perform the Solat, pay the Zakat, perform the Hajj, and observe the Sawm (fast)". On the other hand, in the Qur'an, men are forbidden from "adultery, (the drinking of wine), eating (the flesh of) dead things and of blood and pork."

(ii) the Sunnah (Hadith) of the Prophet Muhammad SAW,
That is - the Sunnah covers those duties which are required by the Qur'an, but whose methods are made clear only through the words and practice of Muhammad SAW. Extending the examples cited for the first source, Al-Risalah describes "the number of Solah (each day) and the (amount of) Zakat and their time (of fulfillment)" as examples of issues that may be clarified through the Sunnah.

(iii) the Ijma' (consensus), and
Then, for those issues that are addressed by neither the Qur'an nor the Sunnah, the Ulama (Islamic Scholars) can be consulted in order to arrive at an Ijma (i.e. scholarly consensus).


(iv) Qiyas (analogy).
Finally, as a last resort, Ijtihad (personal reasoning) may be used to seek the truth. This personal reasoning entails the use of analogy (qiyas) to relate a specific issue to something that has already been addressed by any of the other three sources of Sacred Law.

In this day and age, this kitab is not easy to find. I was extremely fortunate to purchase this book, ironically in an "Islamic" bookstore in London porported by those who were rejecters of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah. Still, although being very hard-headed in their juristic preferences, they still cannot deny the legitimacy of Al-Risalah - as being a core reference for finding the means in deriving Islamic Law.

An example of the contribution of Imam Shafi'i Rh is as follows:

"If anyone does or says something before Rasulullah SAW, and Rasulullah SAW does not stop or rebuke the act / words, then this serves a proof as to the permissibility of this act, and this was solely to the undisputed fact that Rasulullah SAW was infallible. Others beside Rasulullah SAW cannot rely on this, as they are not infallible."

In the foray of Hadith sciences, Imam Bukhari Rh, who was also Shafi'ite said:

"Other than Rasulullah (SAW), the silence of someone cannot be advanced as proof."

Hence, all of the above is through the rigorous application of legal principles as opposed to speculation or conjecture. It is considered one of the most conservative and most systematic of the four schools of Islamic Jurisprudence.

For this reason, Imam Shafi'i Rh is also known as the "First Among Equals" for his exhaustive knowledge and systematic methodology to religious science. His approach to Islamic Jurisprudence has become the standard reference of the scholars not only among his School but among others as well.

There is hence - the famous Fiqh saying:


"The Shafi'is Are The Pillars of Our Religion (of Islam)."


May This Be Beneficial and A Means of Guidance.

Jazakamullahu Khairan Katheer.

A Brief Biography of Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA

The image of dignity and grace, a handsome, pleasant, well spoken man with a tall, slim physique and bright sharp eyes.

These were the physical good looks of a man whom the Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"Every Ummah (Nation) has a Trustee; the Trustee of my Ummah (Nation) is Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah (RA)."

By character and nature, he was very humble and modest. Amongst his friends, he was gentle and soft as silk. When it came to war, he was as hard as iron. During the Battle of Uhud RA, he lost two of his teeth for the sake of helping the Prophet Muhammad SAW. It was within this battle that two of the iron links of the Prophet Muhammad SAW's helmet pierced his (SAW) blessed head. Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA pulled them out with his own teeth. His integrity and honesty was unparalleled even amongst the Companions of the Holy Prophet RA.

His real name was Amir ibn Abdullah bin Al-Jarrah, but he became famous as Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA.

Abdullah ibn Umar RA says that amongst the tribe of the Quraysh there were three people - in whom manners and modesty excelled all others. They also had the gift of eloquent and gentle speech. If people looked at them, they wished to keep on looking at them. In his opinion, these three people were:

1. Saiyidina Abu Bakr As-Siddiq RA

2. Saiydina Uthman ibn Affan RA

3. Saiyidina Abu Ubaidah ibn Al-Jarrah RA


Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA was amongst those very first distinguished companions who had accepted Islam. He passed every trial and tribulation with great patience and perseverence. The difficult situations created by the Quraysh were met with immense courage and patience. During these times of hardship, he and the other Companions of the Holy Prophet SAW remained steadfast.

He sincerely and honestly recognised the authenticity and truth of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. He never gave any signs of despair or doubt.

One of the greatest tests faced was at the Battle of Badr, it was so critical that it is beyond human comprehension. Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA advanced into the midst of the battlefield, tearing his way in. This made the people run everywhere, helter skelter. Everytime he advanced towards a person on horseback, they made way for him; but there was infact one man among them who would stand in front of him and challenge him, and try to attack him.

When Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA realised that this person was his father, he was stunned and shocked. Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA was forced to attack him and he was removed from the face of this earth. Anything was possible for such people in Islam, as nothing could stop them from believing in one Allah and his beloved Messenger Muhammed SAW.

Towards the latter part of his life, Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA took residence in Syria during the time of the Caliphate of Saiyidina Umar Al-Khattab RA. Within this time, a fatal disease of plague spread in the city as it had never before. People were affected by it rapidly. When Saiyidina Umar RA came to know of this, he sent a letter with a messenger to Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA.

Saiydina Umar RA wrote in the letter that he had some important business with him, and he wanted him to make preparations and immediately set out for Madinah Munawwarah to meet him. Saiydina Umar RA stressed that he was not to delay. He indicated in the lettter that if it reached him in the morning, then he was to leave by night; and if it reached him by night, then he had to set out before morning.

When Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA read the letter, he sorrowfully said that he knew what the important business was. Saiyidina Umar RA wanted to keep alive a man who was not born to live in this world forever. Abu Ubaidah RA then wrote a reply to Saiyidina Umar RA. After greeting him, he said that he knew what work he had for him. He said that as the Muslims were facing severe problems, he could not leave them alone in this state, unless it was Allah SWT's Will, as He is the one who decides on their fate.

Abu Ubaidah RA appealed to Saiyidina Umar RA to consider him helpless to obey his commands in this matter and requested him to give him permission to stay with the Muslims.

When Saiyidina Umar RA received this letter and read it, his eyes brimmed with tears. The Companions RA sitting around him were shocked to see this and asked him if there was some tragic news, i.e. whether if the Commander of the Muslims, Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA had passed away.

Saiyidina Umar RA answered:

"No, but death is very near him."

Saiyidina Umar RA's statement turned out to be true. Several days later, as he moved to Jabya, Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA was struck by the plague.

As death hung over him, Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA gave the following advice to his army:

"Let me give you some advice which will cause you to be on the path of goodness always. Establish Prayer, Fast the month of Ramadhan, Give Charity, Perform the Hajj and Umrah, Remain united and support one another, Be sincere to your commanders and do not conceal anything from them. Don't let the world destroy you for even if man were to live a thousand years he would still end up with this state that you see me in. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah."

He then appointed Mu'adh ibn Jabal RA as his successor and order him to lead people in the prayers.

Abu Ubaidah RA turned to Mu'adh RA and said,

"Lead the men well in prayers, May Allah protect you."

After the prayers Mu'adh ibn Jabal RA returned to him, and at that very moment, Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA's soul departed.

Mu'adh RA got up and said to the people with quivering lips and a trembling voice:

"O' People, you are stricken by the death of a man. By Allah, I don't know whether I have seen a man who had a more righteous heart, who was further from all evil and who was more sincere to people than he. Ask Allah to shower His Mercy on him and Allah will be Merciful to you."

Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA died in 639 C.E. and was buried at Jabiya.

As a person, his appearance was striking. He was slim and tall. His face was bright and he had a sparse beard. It was pleasing to look at him and refreshing to meet him. He was extremely courteous and humble and quite shy. Yet in a tough situation he would become strikingly serious and alert. He was given the title Ameen or Custodian of Muhammad's Ummah.

His way of life was very simple and he used to dress in a simple clothing, During the conquest of Jerusalem, the Caliph - Saiyidina Umar RA came to Syria and saw Khalid Al-Walid RA and Yazid ibn Abu Sufyan RA dressed in very beautiful and charming dress.

Saiydina Umar RA dismounted from his camel and threw sand over them saying:

"It has not been even a year since you have came out of the hunger and hard life of Arabia and you have forgotten all the simplicity when you saw the glamour of Syria's Emperors?"

However, he was cooled down when Khalid Al-Walid RA explained to him that under these clothes they are still armed to counter any enemy any time. At that time, Abu Ubaidah RA who was there too was still dressed in his simple dress.

Saiyidina Umar RA was affected when he met Abu Ubaidah RA during the evening. He went to his home and saw that Abu Ubaidah RA did not have anything at home - except for one bed, one sword and one shield.

Saiyidina Umar RA said to him:

"O' Abu Ubaidah, you could have arranged some things of comfort for yourself at home."

Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA replied:

"O' Umar that is enough for me."

Many people embraced Islam, inspired by Abu Ubaidah RA. Christians of the Levant including the whole tribes of Banu Tanukh and Banu Saleej accepted Islam after the conquest of Qasreen city. As a leader, many reliefs were given by Abu Ubaidah RA to the non-Muslims living as his subjects in Syria.

Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah RA is one of the ten companions of the Prophet Muhammad SAW who were promised Paradise during their life.

Little is known about Abu Ubaidah RA's family He had two wives. From his wife Hind bint Jabar RA, he had his sons - Yazid RA and Ubaidah RA. From his wife Warja RA, he had his son - Umayr RA, but all of them died in childhood. It is unknown if he had any daughters, but his male line of descendants is reported to be ended.

A Brief Biography of Saiyidina Uthman bin Affan RA

Saiyidina Uthman bin Affan RA embraced Islam in the very early days of Islam through the counselling of Saiyidina Abu Bakr RA. Saiyidina Uthman RA was married to Ruqayyah RA, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Due to the unbearable torture of the Quraysh, the early Muslims of that time made Mashuarah, and Saiyidina Uthman bin Affan RA and his wife Ruqayyah RA migrated to Abyssinia . This was the first Muslim family which migrated in the Path of Allah.

Later, upon hearing that the situation in Makkah was not as bad as before, they returned to Makkah. Unfortunately, within some time, the Disbelievers increased their torture upon the Muslims. Thus, the couple migrated to Madinah.

During the time of the Battle of Badr, Saiyidina Uthman RA's wife - Ruqayyah RA became very ill, and passed away. At that time, the Prophet Muhammad SAW was away participating in the Battle of Badr.

After some time, the Prophet Muhammad SAW, upon being pleased with Saiyidina Uthman RA - married him to his (SAW) other daughter - Umm Kulthum RA, who is the second daughter of the Holy Prophet SAW. This is Saiyidina Uthman bin Affan RA was given the unique title of - "Dhun-Nurain" (The Possessor of Two Lights).

Saiyidina Uthman RA had been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad SAW to write and record the revelations of the Holy Qur'an throughout his (SAW) lifetime. Saiyidina Uthman RA participated in many campaigns and was responsible for many conquests to allow the Islamic state extended. Due to the enormous expansion of the Islamic state, various groups were reciting the Holy Qur'an in different ways. Saiydina Uthman RA was endowed with the understanding of the Qur'an and memorised the text by heart. He also had an excellent understanding of it. Thus, Saiyidina Uthman RA ordered to distribute copies of the Qur'an compiled during the time of Saiyidina Abu Bakr RA and destroyed all the others.

Once, several Muslim tribes of Madinah had great difficulty in finding water for their daily use. In solving this hardship, Saiyidina Uthman RA bought a well called "Bir Rumah" from a Jew, and this was for the use of the Muslims. This was the first non-profit Islamic trust in Islam. Saiyidina Uthman RA donated very generously during the various campaigns and expeditions of the Muslims at that time. For the Battle of Tabuk, otherwise known as the Campaign of Hardship - Saiyidina Uthman RA donated immensely. The Prophet Muhammad SAW gave Saiyidina Uthman RA the glad tidings of Paradise for his noble acts.

Saiyidina Uthman RA was later chosen as the third Caliph from the advisory council appointed by Saiyidina Umar RA.

Saiyidina Uthman RA was responsible for extending the Prophet Muhammad SAW's Mosque twice during his period as Caliph of the Muslims. An interesting point to note is that where the present Imam leads the Solat in Masjid Nabawi today is the same spot where Saiyidina Uthman RA used to stand and lead as Imam.

The third Caliph of Islam RA made many contributions to Islam in many ways. Unfortunately, he became a victim of the conspiracies of Ibn Saba, a Jewish hypocrite with whom some disgruntled Muslims cooperated with. The culprits murdered Saiyidina Uthman RA when he was reciting the Qur'an in his house. The house of Saiyidina Uthman RA at that time was located outside the door of Baqee.

Saiyidina Uthman RA was 82 years old at the time of his martyrdom. He did not fight his opponent since it would cause bloodshed among Muslims. He chose to rather sacrifice his own life for Allah's sake. Allahu Akbar. Infact, his martyrdom was predicted by the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW.

It has been narrated that once the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW went to Mount Uhud with his Companions RA - Saiyidina Abu Bakr RA, Saiyidina Umar RA and Saiyidina Uthman RA. The mountain started trembling.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW tapped the mountain with his foot and said:

"Stop trembling, because there is a Prophet, a Siddiq and two Martyrs (i.e. Saiyidina Umar RA and Saiyidina Uthman RA) standing on you. The mountain stopped trembling immediately."

May Allah SWT give us the ability to take heed from the lives of the Khulafa-Ar-Rashideen.

May Allah SWT also give us the ability to live our lives according to the way taught by the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Ameen.

Imam Shafi'i RA

Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Idris ibn Al-Abbas ibn Uthman Shafi'i RA was a descendant of the Quraysh tribe. Among the four Grand Mujtahideen Imams of Fiqh, he is the only Imam who is related to Rasulullah SAW. His ancestry joins Rasulullah SAW at Abd Manaf. It has been narrated that his ancestor, Shafi'i RA was the flag bearer of the Banu Hashim who were then against the Muslims during the Battle of Badr. After the battle, he was taken prisoner and released after ransom. He thereafter embraced Islam. Another narration collects that Shafi'i RA met the Prophet SAW as a youngster and became a Muslim. In this second narration, it was Shafi'i RA's father, Saa'ib who was the flag bearer described.

Imam Shafi'i RA was born in Ghazza / Asqalan - a place two stages from Jerusalem, in Syria. He was born in Rajab 150 AH (765 AD). At the age of two years, his parents moved to Makkah and made it their home. He lost his father during infancy and was raised by his mother under very poor circumstances. Imam Shafi'i RA's mother was a Yemeni, and she descended from the famous Bani Azd tribe of Yemen.

Imam Shafi'i RA completed Hifz (the memorisation) of the Qur'an at the tender age of seven years. Muslim bin Khalid RA who had noticed his remarkable intelligence, advised him to study Fiqh. He spent three years with the Shaykh until the age of thirteen. By that age, Imam Shafi'i RA had already memorised the Kitab-ul-Muwatta of Imam Malik RA. He also spent a significant time among the Bedouins outside Makkah, to acquire good knowledge and proficiency of the Arabic language. During his time in learning Arabic literature and poetry, one day at Mina - he heard a voice behind him saying: "Alayka bil Fiqh" ("Grasp the Fiqh").

At the age of fifteen years, with the permission of his Shaykh - Muslim ibn Khalid Zanji RA, who was then the Mufti of Makkah, Imam Shafi'i RA was given Ijazat (permission) to issue Fatwas, and started doing so. At the age of twenty years (170 AH / 785 AD), Imam Shafi'i RA went to Madinah and became a student of Imam Malik RA. His teacher was greatly impressed with the young student who had already memorised the Muwatta.

Imam Malik RA said:

“No scholar, more brilliant than Muhammad ibn Idris Shafi’i ever came to me as a pupil.”

Imam Shafi'i RA stayed with Imam Malik RA for eight years, and thereafter returned to Makkah. He also came into contact with other learned men. There were 81 Shaykhs - from all of whom Imam Shafi'i RA acquired the knowledge of the Qur'an, Hadith and Sunnah. In Makkah his tutor was Sufyan bin Ainiyyah RA.

Imam Shafi'i RA once mentioned about Imam Malik RA and Imam Sufyan RA:

"Had it not been for Imam Malik (RA) and Sufyan (RA), the Ilm (Knowledge) would not have remained in Hijaz."

In the year 184 AH / 799 AD, Imam Shafi'i RA was arrested and taken to Baghdad to appear before the Caliph Harun Ar-Rashid RA on "trumped up" charges of treason. Imam Muhammad RA whom he met in 184 AH, who was the state Qadhi of Baghdad and student of Imam Abu Hanifah RA, helped him, and recommended so that he be discharged. Imam Shafi'i RA was then 34 years old. Imam Shafi'i RA then remained in Baghdad as a student of Imam Muhammad RA for over three years to add further to his knowledge of Islamic Law. Imam Shafi’I RA continued future visits to the Imam and spent a total of ten years with Imam Muhammad RA.

Imam Shafi’i RA mentioned about Imam Muhammad RA:

“I never came across a greater ‘Aalim of Kitabullah (The Qur’an) than Imam Muhammad (RA).”

Imam Muhammad RA described about Imam Shafi’i RA:

“The door of Fiqh was shut to the people. Allah opened it because of Shafi’i.”

Later, Imam Shafi'i RA returned to Makkah where he stayed for nine years. In Makkah, he delivered lectures on Islamic Law. It was during this period that Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal RA came into contact with Imam Shafi'i RA. In 199 AH he went to Egypt where he was received with much honour and respect. He remained here until he passed away. Imam Shafi'i RA died in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday evening after Maghrib Solat, on the 29th of Rajab, 204 AH (20th January, 820 AD) after a short illness. He was 53 or 54 years of age.

Imam Shafi'i RA was the author of over one hundred books, the most important of which is the Kitaab-ul-Umm. It contains the rulings prescribed by Imam Shafi'i RA on all subjects of Islamic Law. Imam Shafi'i RA left behind a large number of dedicated students in Makkah, Baghdad and Egypt. The Shafi'i School of Jurisprudence emerged from these students who propagated the injunctions, rulings and views of the Imam through their writings and Da'wah.

In terms of piety, it has been preserved in narrations about our pious predecessors that Imam Shafi'i RA had never committed any major sin, nor spoken a lie, nor had swallowed any unlawful morsel of food throughout his entire life. Imam Shafi'i RA also made it incumbent upon him to always perform the Jumma congregation on Fridays only after having performed Sunnat Ghusl (bath), without fail. Imam Shafi'i RA title is Naasirus Sunnah. He was honoured as Al-Imamul Mujaddid in the fact that he is the Mujaddid of the second century of Islam. Imam Shafi'i RA is also known to be an extremely generous personality who on numerous occasions gave away all he possessed to the poor and needy.

May Allah SWT provide Imam Shafi'i RA with a lofty position in Paradise. Ameen.

Abu Lahab - The Father of Flames

Abu Lahab - was one of the most prominent leaders in the Quraysh tribe of Banu Hashim during the time of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. He was the uncle of Prophet SAW, the brother of the father of the Prophet SAW. When news spread of the birth of the Prophet SAW, he was so overjoyed and prepared a large feast. he also freed one slave. Therefore, his relationship with the Prophet Muhammad SAW was very strong, even before Prophethood.

Dark ages and the manners of Jahiliyah was to prescribe as he became one of the biggest and deadliest enemies of Islam. His turmoil, his torture and his torment towards Muslims increased by the day.

Even his very wife had the same attitude towards the Holy Prophet SAW as he did. She was extremely hostile towards the Prophet Muhammad SAW. Once the Prophet Muhammad SAW, being the kind and affectionate person he (SAW) was, asked about her health. The Prophet SAW was informed that she was ill. He (SAW) thus decided to pay her a visit. As she knew his (SAW) presence, she immediately and vehemently abused the Prophet SAW in the worst of manners. Nevertheless, the Prophet SAW was calm. Being that being who has been sent as mercy for the whole universe, the Messenger of Allah SAW remained silent. Such brutality and barbaric actions increased to such an extent, that thorns were thrown in the path of the Holy Prophet SAW.

Once Rasulullah SAW climbed up a mountain and stated to the people of Quraysh:

"If I were to warn you of an army behind the mountain that came to attack you, would you believe me?"

The people replied:

"Yes, We find you the most truthful amongst us."

Then the Prophet Muhammad SAW informed the people of Quraysh:

"Punishment of Allah will soon be afflicted upon you. The wrath of Allah will descend upon you if you do not submit to him."

From the crowd, Abu Lahab spoke and exclaimed:

"Damn you! You called us for this? May you be destroyed!"

Following this, Abu Lahab pelted stones at the blessed face of the Holy Prophet SAW till blood flowed down the face of our beloved Prophet SAW.

After that, Almighty Allah SWT revealed the following verse about Abu Lahab:

"Perish the hands of Abu Lahab (The Father of Flames). Perish He! His wealth and his children will not benefit him! He will be burnt in a Fire of blazing flames! His wife shall carry the (crackling) wood as fuel. A twisted rope of Palm-leaf round her (own) neck!" (Surah Al-Masad: Ayat 1~5)

So this was to be the outcome of the most inveterate enemies of Islam, a barbaric wife who tied bundles of thorns with ropes of twisted palm-leaf fibre and straw on dark nights on the paths which the Prophet Muhammad SAW expected to take.

Abu Lahab later perished at the Battle of Badr - The Father of Flames.

Salahuddin Ayyubi RA - A Brief Biography

Salahuddin Ayyubi RA (Saladin), a name that inspired both fear and respect in the crusaders eyes and in Europe's eyes even today. He was a devout Muslim to whom Islam meant everything, he would never miss his daily five times prayers even when he was ill, and had a dislike for people who tried to instill free-thinking, unnecessary debate and controversy into the doctrines of Islam. He truly loved the Qur'an and wept upon hearing it read. In spite of being a ruler, he journeyed in search of knowledge, travelling to a scholar to learn the Muwatta of Imam Malik RA.

During his youth he was a quiet methodical thinker given more to religious study than military ambition. As a child he was taught the recitation of the Holy Qur'an, the Arabic language and the Shari'ah. This basis proved to be effective in his middle age.

He also did many things to encourage people in their worship such as building Madrasahs. He also abolished those tolls that pilgrims had to pay on their way to Makkah.

Salahuddin Ayyubi RA had many interests, ranging from geography and history, to commerce and politics, and was opened to suggestions on most subjects, for when they concerned Islam.
His generosity was boundless. Once he paid a debt of 200,000 Dinars off for his brother, though he himself stayed steadfast. The vast empire that was to come under his command meant that he had extensive riches in his hand, yet his accountants had to keep some of his financial details a secret from their master, afraid that he would give it all away and there would be nothing left for real emergencies.

Salahuddin RA was kind and gentle, one to treat everybody feuitly. Though above all this was his duty to Allah and the Jihad. Bahauddin RA - his faithful secretary stated:

"I never knew him to show any anxiety about the numbers and strength of the enemy. He would listen to plans of all kinds and discuss their consequences without any excitement or loss of composure."

This was the same Salahuddin Ayyubi RA - a person who is known as a chivalrous and legendary figure in European history also, a figure who respected his friends as well as his foes.

When Richard's horse was killed in battle, Salahuddin sent him a fresh one saying:

"It is not proper that a warrior should have to fight on foot."

In times of war he was extremely generous to enemy civilians, allowing them to go free with their lives and goods, an act of humanity that was rarely shown to the Muslims by their enemies.

On the 4th of March, 1193, this noble servant of Allah left the world. At his death, though he was the most powerful and greatest in the Muslim empire of the era, he had only one gold piece and 47 silver pieces to his name. He owned no property and had paid off all his debts. While his family mourned him, those close to the courageous man found that, at the time of his death, he did not posses enough money to pay for his own Janazah (burial).

This was Salahuddin Ayyubi RA. An example for leaders to come, and a true servant of Allah. May Allah’s Mercy be upon him. Ameen.