Books, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Muhammad Sattaur
The Khasa’is: An Introduction to the Unique ...

The Khasa'is genre of literature revolves around the unique characteristics and distinctive features of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The term khasa'is is derived from the Arabic language, meaning "unique characteristics" or "distinctive features." This genre of literature aims to celebrate and elevate the status of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by emphasizing his exceptional qualities and the special relationship he held with Allah. Khasa’is constitutes a significant part of Islamic scholarly tradition, as it focuses on the life, virtues, and miracles of the Prophet.

The Origins of the Khasa’is Genre

The Khasa'is literature emerged as a distinct genre in the early Islamic period, with scholars and theologians dedicating their works to exploring and narrating the extraordinary aspects of the Prophet's ﷺ life. These works often drew from various sources, including the Quran, Hadith, and historical accounts, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Prophet's exemplary life ﷺ.

The Khasa’is: An Introduction to the Unique Characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Al-Ghazali
Patrick Bensen
A Guide to Zakat: Types of Zakat, Their ...

O beloved!

Know that giving zakat comprises one of the religion’s principal pillars, for the Prophet ﷺ said,

‘The foundations of Islam are five principles: the testimony of faith, prayer, zakat, fasting, and pilgrimage.’

Moreover, it is reported that,

‘Those who possess gold and silver, yet refuse to pay zakat, a piercing mark will be placed on their chests. And those who possess cattle, but fail to pay the requisite zakat, on the Day of Judgement, the quadrupeds will set upon and trample them endlessly.’

These reports are mentioned in the Sahihayn, therefore, those who possess wealth are impelled to gain knowledge of zakat for it comprises an obligation.

A Guide to Zakat: Types of Zakat, Their Conditions, Etiquettes, and Timing
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Patrick Bensen
A Guide to Salawat: Meanings, Rulings, Methods, ...

On the Meaning of Sending Prayers Upon Him ﷺ

Allah (Exalted is He) has said,

“Indeed, Allah and His Angels send prayers upon the Prophet. O you who be- lieve! Send prayers upon him and extend him a worthy salutation”

(al-Aḥzāb, 33:56).

Ibn ‘Abbas said,

“The meaning (of this verse) is that Allah and His Angels bless the Prophet ﷺ.”

It has also been said that it means,

“Indeed, Allah has mercy upon His Prophet ﷺ, and the Angels supplicate for him.”

Al-Mubrid said,

“The root meaning of ṣalāh (prayers) is to show mercy. Thus, (prayers) from Allah are mercy and prayers from the Angels are compassion and seeking for Allah to have mercy (on the person).”

A Guide to Salawat: Meanings, Rulings, Methods, and Benefits
Al-Ghazali
Patrick Bensen
A Guide to Fasting (Sawm): Its Obligations, ...

O beloved! Know that fasting is a pillar from the pillars of Islam. The Prophet ﷺ stated, ‘Allah ﷻ says: I grant from ten to seven hundred rewards in return for a good deed. But fasting is Mine, and I grant its recompense.’

And Allah ﷻ said:

إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّـٰبِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍۢ

'"...Only those who endure patiently will be given their reward without limit."'

(al-Zumar, 39:10)

Indeed, the reward of one who exercises patience over appetence shall surpass all limits. The Prophet ﷺ related, ‘Patience comprises one-half of faith, and fasting encompasses one-half of patience.’

A Guide to Fasting (Sawm): Its Obligations, Conditions, Prophetic Practices, and Realities
Al-Ghazali
Patrick Bensen
A Guide to Dhikr: Etiquettes, Virtues, ...

O beloved!

Know that the untainted purpose of worship is to remember the Truth ﷻ, since ritual worship comprises the pillar of religion, and its purpose is divine remembrance.

In the Holy Qur’an, Allah ﷻ says:

ٱتْلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ

‘Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, [genuine] prayer should deter [one] from indecency and wickedness. The remembrance of Allah is [an] even greater [deterrent]. And Allah [fully] knows what you [all] do.’

(al-’Ankabut, 29:45)

Moreover, recitation of the Holy Qur’an counts among the most virtuous acts of worship, since it comprises the Speech of Allah ﷻ and serves as a reminder to the reciter. Indeed, the Holy Qur’an acts to revive the remembrance of the Truth ﷻ in the heart. Besides, fasting aims to rupture appetence in order to purify the heart from concerns with a particular appetite and render it a chamber of divine remembrance, since a heart preoccupied with worldly appetence can neither hope to gain such a lofty station nor undergo change through remembrance. Likewise, the purpose of the pilgrimage, which involves visitation of the House of Allah ﷻ, is to remember the Lord ﷻ of the House and to provoke a yearning in the heart by way of His ﷻ encounter.

A Guide to Dhikr: Etiquettes, Virtues, Realities, and Collected Supplications

Al-Ghazali

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A Guide to the Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj): Prerequisites, Pillars, and Etiquettes

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A Guide to the Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj): Prerequisites, Pillars, and Etiquettes

ON PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

O beloved!

Know that the pilgrimage comprises one of the core foundations of Islam and counts as the worship of a lifetime.

The Prophet ﷺ announced,

‘Those that pass away without having performed the pilgrimage, it matters the least whether they expire as a Jew or a Christian.’

Besides, the Prophet ﷺ said:

‘Those who perform the pilgrimage and refrain from the pollution of the body through impudence and contamination of the tongue through vain and immoral speech come to shed their former misdeeds. They become as innocent and pure as an infant.’

A Guide to Zakat: Types of Zakat, Their Conditions, Etiquettes, and Timing

A Guide to Zakat: Types of Zakat, Their Conditions, Etiquettes, and Timing

O beloved!

Know that giving zakat comprises one of the religion’s principal pillars, for the Prophet ﷺ said,

‘The foundations of Islam are five principles: the testimony of faith, prayer, zakat, fasting, and pilgrimage.’

Moreover, it is reported that,

‘Those who possess gold and silver, yet refuse to pay zakat, a piercing mark will be placed on their chests. And those who possess cattle, but fail to pay the requisite zakat, on the Day of Judgement, the quadrupeds will set upon and trample them endlessly.’

These reports are mentioned in the Sahihayn, therefore, those who possess wealth are impelled to gain knowledge of zakat for it comprises an obligation.

A Guide to Fasting (Sawm): Its Obligations, Conditions, Prophetic Practices, and Realities

A Guide to Fasting (Sawm): Its Obligations, Conditions, Prophetic Practices, and Realities

O beloved! Know that fasting is a pillar from the pillars of Islam. The Prophet ﷺ stated, ‘Allah ﷻ says: I grant from ten to seven hundred rewards in return for a good deed. But fasting is Mine, and I grant its recompense.’

And Allah ﷻ said:

إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّـٰبِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍۢ

'"...Only those who endure patiently will be given their reward without limit."'

(al-Zumar, 39:10)

Indeed, the reward of one who exercises patience over appetence shall surpass all limits. The Prophet ﷺ related, ‘Patience comprises one-half of faith, and fasting encompasses one-half of patience.’

A Guide to Dhikr: Etiquettes, Virtues, Realities, and Collected Supplications

A Guide to Dhikr: Etiquettes, Virtues, Realities, and Collected Supplications

O beloved!

Know that the untainted purpose of worship is to remember the Truth ﷻ, since ritual worship comprises the pillar of religion, and its purpose is divine remembrance.

In the Holy Qur’an, Allah ﷻ says:

ٱتْلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ

‘Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, [genuine] prayer should deter [one] from indecency and wickedness. The remembrance of Allah is [an] even greater [deterrent]. And Allah [fully] knows what you [all] do.’

(al-’Ankabut, 29:45)

Moreover, recitation of the Holy Qur’an counts among the most virtuous acts of worship, since it comprises the Speech of Allah ﷻ and serves as a reminder to the reciter. Indeed, the Holy Qur’an acts to revive the remembrance of the Truth ﷻ in the heart. Besides, fasting aims to rupture appetence in order to purify the heart from concerns with a particular appetite and render it a chamber of divine remembrance, since a heart preoccupied with worldly appetence can neither hope to gain such a lofty station nor undergo change through remembrance. Likewise, the purpose of the pilgrimage, which involves visitation of the House of Allah ﷻ, is to remember the Lord ﷻ of the House and to provoke a yearning in the heart by way of His ﷻ encounter.

A Guide to the Islamic Ritual Prayer (Salah): External Dimensions, Reality, and Spirit

A Guide to the Islamic Ritual Prayer (Salah): External Dimensions, Reality, and Spirit

O beloved!

Know that ritual prayer comprises a pillar of Islam. It is the religion's foundation and the preeminent form of worship. Those who perform the five obligatory ritual prayers, in the prescribed mode and within the specified times, shall obtain the divine pledge of safety and protection.

Moreover, whosoever desists from committing significant acts of disobedience (al-kaba’ir), the ritual prayers will serve as an expiation (kaffarah) from their lesser acts of wrongdoing.

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On Recitation of the Qur'an: External and Internal Etiquette

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On Recitation of the Qur'an: External and Internal Etiquette

O beloved! Know that recitation of the Holy Qurʾān counts among most excellent of worships, in particular when undertaken during the ritual prayer in the standing position (qiyām).

The Prophet ﷺ said,

‘The most excellent worship before me is recitation of the Qurʾān.’

Moreover, He ﷺ said,

‘Those who are esteemed with recitation of the Qurʾān yet appraise that others have been granted a superior prize, have come to depreciate that which the Lord ﷻ has honoured.’

Imam al-Ghazali: On the Dangers of Knowledge

Imam al-Ghazali: On the Dangers of Knowledge

The following translation is an excerpt from the Chapter on Knowledge and Learning of Imam al-Ghazali’s Mukhtasar Ihya ‘Ulum al-Din

On the Dangers of Knowledge

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ has said, “The person who will receive the greatest punishment on the Day of Judgement will be a Scholar by whose knowledge Allah did not benefit him.”

He ﷺ also said, “If someone increases in knowledge, but does not increase in guidance, he has only increased in remoteness from Allah.”

You should know that by virtue of his delving into knowledge, the Scholar is never safe. He will either perish or gain eternal felicity. Al-Khalil b. Ahmad said:

“Men are of four types.

Imam al-Ghazali: On the Etiquettes of the Teacher and the Student

Imam al-Ghazali: On the Etiquettes of the Teacher and the Student

The following translation is an excerpt from the Chapter on Knowledge and Learning of Imam al-Ghazali’s Mukhtasar Ihya ‘Ulum al-Din

The Duties of the Student

Concerning the student, there are many etiquettes and duties that he is required to perform. Nevertheless, we will summarize all of them all in seven sections.

The first duty of the student is to prioritize the purification of his soul of blameworthy characteristics, due to the Prophet words (may Allah bless him and give him peace), “Islam was built upon purity.”

Imam al-Ghazali: On Beneficial and Harmful Knowledge

Imam al-Ghazali: On Beneficial and Harmful Knowledge

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every male and female Muslim.”

It is obligatory for a person who has reached puberty and is in a state of Islam to know the two testimonies and understand their meaning.

However, it is not necessary for him to be able to prove them through evidences. Rather, it is sufficient for him to believe firmly in them both without any doubt, even if he imitates someone else in that.

Imam al-Ghazali: On the Benefit of Knowledge

Imam al-Ghazali: On the Benefit of Knowledge

The following translation is an excerpt from the Chapter on Knowledge and Learning of Imam al-Ghazali’s Mukhtasar Ihya ‘Ulum al-Din

You should know that there are many evidences found in the Qur’an for the benefit of knowledge.

Among them is the verse: (Allah will raise those who believe among you and those who are given knowledge in degrees) (al-Mujadilah, 11).

Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه said, regarding this verse, “The scholars are raised above the believers by seven hundred degrees. Between each two degrees is the distance of five hundred years’ journey.”