An summarised text detailing the rules governing the Criticism of Hadeeth. From its introduction -'A hadith (pl. ahadith) is composed of two parts: the matn (text) and the isnad (chain of reporters). A text may seem to be logical and reasonable but it needs an authentic isnad with reliable reporters to be acceptable; 'Abdullah b. al-Mubarak (d. 181 AH) is reported to have said, "The isnad is part of the religion: had it not been for the isnad, whoever wished to would have said whatever he liked." During the lifetime of the Prophet (SAS) and after his death, his Companions (Sahabah) used to refer to him when quoting his sayings. The Successors (Tabi'un) followed suit; some of them used to quote the Prophet (SAS) through the Companions while others would omit the intermediate authority - such a hadith was known as mursal (loose). It was found that the missing link between the Successor and the Prophet (SAS) might be one person, i.e. a Companion, or two persons, the extra person being an older Successor who heard the hadith from the Companion.'
Author: Mahmood Al-Tahaan
The science of hadith is one of the most honourable and important sciences as we know through it the truthfulness of what was narrated to messenger of Allah peace be upon him whether it is authentic or weak.It's importance and honorability are due the honorability and importance of it's target which is the sunnah of the messenger peace be upon him , the second source of the islamic legislation, the words of who doesn't pronounce any word out of prejudice, it is nothing except a revelation revealed. And from the most collective and summarized written texts of this field is The Text Of Nukabat Al Fakar In Mostalah Ahal Al Athar (the top of thinking in the classification of hadith) by the Hafiz Ahmed Ibn Ali Ibn Hajar Al Askalany Al Shafi may the mercy of Allah be upon him.And this is the reading of the text.
Author: Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani
The author said in his introduction, “There are hundreds of benefits associated with Dhikr, the act of rehearsing and celebrating the praises of Allah. The well-known medieval scholar Ibn Al-Qaiyim mentioned more than seventy of these in his book Kitabul-Adhkar. Among the benefits he mentioned were that Dhikr drives away Satan, pleases Allah, the Merciful, and replaces pain and sorrow of the heart with peace happiness and contentment.”
Author: Saeed Bin Ali Bin Wahf Al-Qahtani
Translators: Omar Johnstone
In this classical treatise, Ibn Rajab (may Allah have mercy on him) discusses the differences between advising and condemning, which is an extremely important topic since it is very common that the two are confused for one another. For the most part, his talk revolves around the dealings and affairs of the scholars, and how it was from their way to advise and accept the truth from one another. And he shows how condemning was not from their characteristics, but rather from the signs of the evil and wicked people who held hidden goals and objectives.This book is especially important in these days due to the wide scale confusion that exists on this subject amongst the Muslims. So today when we find scholars of the Sunnah refuting weak opinions of other scholars from the past, they are quickly accused of hating those scholars of the past and just condemning them, when in fact they are really advising the ummah and warning the Muslims against following a man in his error. So, we hope that these matters become clear to the reader upon studying this treatise and that he is able to distinguish those who are truly advising from those who are just condemning.
Author: Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali
Translators: Abu Maryam Ismaeel Alarcon
Publisher: http://www.almanhaj.com - Almanhaj Website
An excellent book for non-Muslims explaining various aspects of Islam.
Author: Pete Seda
Publisher: Islamic Propagation Office in Rabwah
Source: http://www.islamhouse.com/p/1301
A discussion of the obligation of keeping a beard and a clarification of some common misconceptions.
Author: Muhammad al-Jibaly
Publisher: Al-Kitaab & as-Sunnah Publishing
Source: http://www.islamhouse.com/p/1231