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The Marriage of Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal رحمه الله
When Imam Ahmed Bin Hanbal's رحمه الله wife passed away he said:
"Wallahi I lived with her for 40 years and we didn't argue once."
He was asked how?
He replied,
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"Whenever she gets upset and tries to argue, I stay quiet. And whenever I'm upset and try to argue, she stays quiet."
▫️[Manaqib al-Imam Ahmad of Ibn al-Jawzi]
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Imam Ahmad رحمه الله said:
‘When a man asks for a woman’s hand in marriage he should inquire about her beauty, if he is pleased, he should ask about her religiosity, if he is pleased, he should marry her and if he
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It was said to Al-Imām Ahmad bin Hanbal (رحمه الله):
“A man enters the masjid, and sees people around so he beautifies his Salah, is this Riya'?
He said: No, that is the blessing of a Muslim upon another Muslim”
▫️[Al-Furu' by Ibn Muflih]
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Imam Ahmad رحمه الله was asked:
“What does it mean to love for the sake of Allah?"
He replied: "It is when you do not love someone for any worldly gain."
▫️Tabaqaat Al-Hanaabilah 57/1
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Imām Ahmad’s daily routine for worship:
• 300 raka’at daily (cut down to 150 after the Mihna)
• Reading of 1/7th of the Qur’ān daily (finishing en entire reading within a week)
• Nap after ‘Ishā’ and wake up to pray until the morning
▫️[Manāqib Ahmad ibn Hanbal]
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Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمه الله said:
إن أحببت أن يدوم الله لك على ما تحب، فدم له على ما يحب.
If you would like that Allah keeps you persistent upon that which you love, then be persistent upon that which He loves.
▫️[ البداية و النهاية (١٠\٣٣٠) ]
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isn’t pleased then his rejection is based on (him not being satisfied with her) religiosity. One shouldn’t ask about religiosity first, whereby if he is pleased with it he asks about her beauty and if he isn’t pleased with it he rejects her,
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as this rejection becomes based on her beauty and not on the account of her religiosity.’
▫️[Sharh Muntaha-l Iradat]
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Yahya Ibn Ma'een رحمه الله said:
“I have never seen the likes of Imam Ahmad
We accompanied him for 50 years, he was never boastful to us about anything, and he'd say:
‘We are poor people, if it wasn't for Allah's protection we would have been exposed’ “
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💍 What A Man Should Look For In A Spouse
The following characterstics are found in the books of Hanbali Fiqh, they are the Asl, however, you should look at what benefits you most.
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Meaning, it is as if religion turned less significant as he rejected her based on her looks even though he was happy with her religiosity. So by asking about her beauty first and religion after, it does not give rise to this issue.
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In the Madhab, it’s actually recommended for children to go out for the rain prayer as they are sinless, their good deeds are recorded and their invocations are more likely to be accepted.
▫️[Kash-shaf al-Qina']
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Sheikh Ahmed Al-Quaymi حفظه الله mentions in his Hawashi As-Sabighat:
There are 4 things which are recommended when it comes to the Mahr (dowry):
1. It’s recommended to mention the exact amount of the Mahr during the contract, this is because it will cut off any conflict that
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Advice for a beginner Hanbali Talib al Ilm – Shaykh Ahmad al-Quaymi
1. In order to achieve a correct methodology in studying fiqh, you must focus on one book and you must memorise it
He memorises a mu’atamad from the 5 famous texts:
• Zaad al Mustaqni’ - Al-Hajjawi (968H)
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In the Hanbali Madhab, it is a Bid'ah to limit the Priase of the Habiballah صلی الله علیه وسلم to a single day, rather The Hanabilah have said his praise should happen daily, by reading his seerah, sending salawat, establishing the Sunnah & Forbdding evil and commanding good.
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So, this is elevating the religion and giving it prime importance in selection, not downplaying it as wrongly understood by some.
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Ibn Taymiyyah rh said:
The Hanbalis followed in the footsteps of the Salaf, proceeded as they did, and stopped as they stopped, unlike others.
▫️Majmu Al-Fatawa 4/186
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In case some readers are thinking whether this contradicts the statement of Rasoolullah ﷺ:
فاظفر بذات الدين تربت يداك
Choose the one who is religiously committed, may your hands be rubbed with dust (i.e. – may you prosper).
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There is no contradiction at all as what Imam Ahmad said was to ask about beauty first and then religion so that if it came down to rejection, it would be based on the beauty and not the religion.
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Abd al-Razzaq Rh said:
"I have not seen anyone more knowledgeable or more pious than Ahmad ibn Hanbal."
▫️Tabaqat al-Shafi'iyyah al-Kubra 2/28
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Al-Hafidh Abdul Ghani al Maqdisi (رحمه الله) said:
The greatest of what the slave asks his Lord are three things:
1. The pleasure of Allāh
2. Looking at His honoured Face
3. The highest Paradise
▫️الذيل على طبقات الحنابلة | (٢٠/٣)
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This is a form of getting encouraged by another Muslim, and doesn’t necessarily mean the person is doing that action for the creation.
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Imam Ahmad رحمه الله:
Knowledge is a gift, Allāh gives it to whom He loves from His creation
▫️[طبقات الحنابلة]
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The 4 Most Famous Fiqh Books of Muwwafaq al-Deen Ibn Qudamah:
1. Al-Mughni - المغني
Mentions differences of opinions between the madahib.
2. Al-Kaafi - الكافي
Mentions 2 opinions (within the madhab) and the evidences for it.
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✨1) Deen - this is from the most important of characteristics to look for.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "A woman is married for four things, i.e., her wealth, her family status, her beauty and her religion. So you should marry the religious woman (otherwise) you will be a losers."
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▫️ [Sahih al-Bukhari 5090]
✨2) Virgin
As mentioned by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, when he asked a man if he married a Virgin or a previously married woman:
"Why didn't you marry a young girl so that you may play with her and she with you?"
▫️[Sahih al-Bukhari 5079]
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450 Dirhams would equal to 1,350 grams of pure silver, which would roughly equate to £779.28 in today’s day.
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Abdul Malik al-Qasim mentions in his book Nikkah As-Sālihāt:
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمه الله chose a woman named Awra' to marry over her sister, despite her sister being more beautiful. He had asked about the intelligence of the two sisters, and it was said that Awra' was the
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A man who is pleased with his wife's beauty will be able to protect his private parts and lower his gaze from other women.
✨6) Ajnabiyah - i.e. not from your family
This allows tribes and cultures to come together.
"....We created you from a male and a female, and made you
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✨7) Her Wealth
✨8) Her Lineage
These 2 characteristics above are mentioned in the first Hadith stated here.
📚الإقناع
الحواشي السابغات
فتح العلي بأدلة النظم الجلي
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This is the asl of the Madhab, however, as mentioned in al-Iqna', if marrying a non-virgin is more favourable to the man, he should marry the woman which is most suitable for him and his needs.
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✨3) Fertile
As mentioned in the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:
“Marry the loving and fertile. Verily, I will have most followers among the prophets on the Day of Resurrection.”
▫️ [Musnad Ahmad 12202 - Sahih li-Ghayrihi]
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Ibn al Madini said:
Once before a trip, as I was taking leave of Ibn Hanbal, I asked if he wanted me to do anything for him.
“Yes, carry the fear of Allaah wherever you go, and keep your eyes on the next world.”
▫️[The Life of ibn Hanbal]
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✨5) Beauty
Abu Hurayrah reports that Prophet Muhammad was asked, ‘Which type of woman is the best? He replied, ‘The best woman is one who when you look at her you become pleased, who obeys when you instruct and who does not violate him with regard to herself [chastity]
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Imam Aḥmad Ḥanbal said:
“When a man’s friends die, he is humbled.”
● [مناقب الإمام أحمد بن حنبل صحفة ٦٧٢]
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👥 Order of Wilayah in the Hanbali Madhab
- this is restricted to the paternal side of the family.
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📚 الحواشي السابغات على أخصر المختصرات لابن بلبان - أحمد القعيمي
Shaykh Quaymi is one of the leading Hanbali Scholars of our time, he’s taught many books in the madhab and his lessons and books are good for those wishing to study/ find the mu’tamad.
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4. It is recommended that the Mahr is between 400 and 500 dirhams because this is the Mahr the Prophet ﷺ gave to his wives رضي الله عنهم as mentioned in Sahih Muslim.
1 Dirham is equal to about 3 grams of pure silver.
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Umar (رضي الله عنه) used to request children to do istighfar for him and say:"You all have never sinned"
Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) used to tell kids in school:"Say,May Allah forgive Abu Hurairah" and then used to say Ameen to their invocations.
▫️[Jami' al-Ulum wal Hikam]
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Some mothers treat the daughters well and want goodness for them, Alhamdulillah. However, some mothers do not want goodness for the marriage. Shaykh mentioned the example of some mothers envying the love the husband has for the wife, causing corruption between them.
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and her wealth."
▫️ [Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2 pg. 161]
As mentioned in al-Iqna', it is recommended for the man to look for a woman of beauty and intellect. Some mention to look at her beauty even before Deen.
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✨4) A woman without a Mother
Shaykh Ahmad al-Quaymi حفظه الله mentions in his Hawashi, this is a characteritic that isn't present in the texts, however it is a transmission of Imam Ahmad.
Shaykh ibn al-Uthaymeen رحمه الله mentions on this point, (paraphrased):
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Imam Aḥmad Ḥanbal said:
"According to us, the people of hadith are those who act upon a hadith.”
● [مناقب الأمام أحمد بن حنبل صحفة ٨٠٢]
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Imām al Ba’li رحمه الله said:
“It is recommended for men to visit the graves, but disliked for women, and impermissible for them if they know something impermissible will happen.”
▫️[بداية العابد وكفاية الزاهد]
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could arise.
2. It’s recommended to reduce the price of the Mahr
3. It’s recommended that it is not less than 10 dirhams, so one can avoid the difference of opinion between the scholars. There is no limit on the highest number for the Mahr by Ijma’ (consensus) of the scholars.
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Abdullah ibn Ahmad [ibn Hanbal] said: I heard Abu Zar'a say
"Your father had memorized a thousand-thousand [one million] hadith."
▫️Musnad Ahmad 6/42
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Tadarruj is an important concept to understand, don’t be hasty to move on to books like Al-Muntaha and Al-Iqna’ without having studied smaller books.
▫️Sheikh Abdus-Salam Ash-Shuway’r حفظه الله
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into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another..." [49:13]
Hanabilah mention it could have potential implications to marry someone you have blood relations with: e.g. health implications or problems between families later on during times of divorce
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الإمام أحمد رحمه الله لبعض أصحابه:
Imam Ahmad رحمه الله said to some of his companions:
"إياك أن تتكلم في مسألة ليس لك فيها إمام".
“Beware of speaking about an issue in which no Imam has preceded you in.”
▫️ المدخل لابن بدران (ص: ١١٩)
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So look into the situation.
Hanabilah generally stated this due to the potential toxic behaviours the mother could have, or the problems some mothers may cause.
[To further reinstate: this is the asl, you shouldn't restrict yourself to these, look at what is best for you.]
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THE HYGIENE OF IMĀM AHMAD رحمه الله
Abd Al-Malik Al-Maymuni رحمه الله said:
"I Do Not Know That I Have Ever Seen Anyone Who Wore Cleaner Clothes, Was More Attentive To Trimming His Moustache And Grooming The Hair On His Head And Body,
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In the Madhab it is permissible for an Imam, Munfarid and Ma’mum to ask Allah and seek refuge with Him during Fardh and Nawāfil Salah when passing a verse of mercy or punishment.
This is based on the Hadith of Hudhayfah in Sahih Muslim (see pictures attached)
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Everything else is Bid'ah Muharramah in the Madhab. and This view of The Hanabilah is solely based on The Opinion of Shaykh al Islam ibn Taymiyyah.
C. Abu Hanbal
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*What does one say when the Imam praises Allah in the Qunut of al-Witr?*
That which seems to be apparent from the Hanbali madhab is that one says *Ameen* behind the imam even when he praises Allah in the Qunut of al-Witr.
▫️[Answer from Sheikh Ahmad al-Qu'aymi حفظه الله]
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Recommended sitting posture whilst eating according to the Hanbali Madhab
There are two recommended ways:
1) Sitting on one's left leg with the right leg erected in front.
2) Sitting cross-legged.
▫️[Al-Iqna']
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المدخل إلى مذهب الإمام أحمد بن حنبل - العلامة ابن بدران الدمشقي
I’ve mentioned some introductory books to the Madhab before, but this one is by far the best and a must-have for every Hanbali.
It touches on Imam Ahmad himself, the development of the Madhab,
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• Dalil al Talib - Mar'i Al-Karmi (1033H)
• Akhsar al Mukhtasarat - Ibn Balban (1083H)
• Umdah al Talib - Al-Buhuti (1051H)
• Kafi al Mubtadi’ - Ibn Balban (1083H)
2. He finds a qualified teacher to explain it to him, ensuring he studies and takes notes
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It is reported that Ibrāhīm b. Adham, may Allāh have mercy on him – said:
A person has not been true to Allāh, the mighty and sublime, if he loves recognition (fame).
▫️Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal, Al-Zuhd
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The Ulema have been likened to the stars in a few quotes from the past, due to the benefits that stars have, which the scholars also possess
3 aspects they have in common:
⭐️ The stars are used for guidance in the darkness, likewise the scholars are a guidance for the rest
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6. After listening to explanations of those books, move onto more advanced explanations such as Hawashi as-Sabighat etc.
The shaykh has written a book called “Madarij Tafaqquh al Hanbali” where he goes more in depth into books to study, the method of studying etc.
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ḤAsan al-Baṣrī رحمه الله said:
"The core of knowledge is more beloved to me to learn than this dunya and what is in it."
● [زوائد الزهد للإمام أحمد ١٥٤٠]
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more intelligent, so he said, "Marry me to her."
This anecdote highlights Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal's preference for Awra' based on her intelligence, rather than solely considering external beauty.
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📖 مدارج تفقه الحنبلي
Beginners guide to Hanbali Fiqh by Shaykh Ahmad al Quaymi. If you don’t know where to start studying Fiqh, this is a good book to read. The Shaykh mentions some advice for students, outlines a curriculum with beginner books to study,
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“I cried over youthfulness,
but crying and weeping did no benefit.
If only young age could return one day,
I would inform what greyness and old age has done to me.”
A reminder to not dwell on what you could’ve achieved, you have no control over that.
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- Focus on one single book and exert all of your effort into understanding the explanation of the book and taking down notes
- Focus on the basics, don’t focus on advanced issues before you have solidified a foundation
4. He learns an explanation of the book
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Imam Al-Buhuti رحمه الله mentions:
"Some of the scholars said: It is recommended to commence by praising Allah for every author, teacher, preacher (Khatib), suitor, the one who gives in marriage, the one marrying and for all important affairs."
▫️[Kash-Shaf Al-Qina' v.1 pg.7]
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5. After this, he reads the remaining books until he is no longer ignorant of the other texts (i.e. don’t stick to just one, ensure you have knowledge of the others too)
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*Instances when it's Makruh to give Salam*
These are some instances in which it's Makruh (disliked) to give Salam to a person and the one giving Salam in these instances isn't deserving of a response.
If the salam is given to a person who is:
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He says:
“I didn't hear anything more reassuring for my heart, and tearful for my eyes during The Mihnah (The severe trial Imam Ahmad endured) than a statement i heard from a poverty-stricken blind man in a courtyard, he said to me,
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Imām Al-Lālikāʿī (رحمه الله) reported:
Imām Ahmad Ibn Hanbal Said:
“And the hadith for us is to be taken at its apparent meaning as it came from the Prophet, and discussing it is an innovation; rather, we believe in it as it came in its apparent meaning,
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Imām Ahmad رحمه الله said:
There is nothing equivalent to knowledge for the one who rectifies his intention.
So his students asked, O Abu Abdillah, how can one rectify his intention?
He responded,
By intending to lift ignorance from himself and those around him.
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قال الإمام ابن القيم رحمه الله:
“There’s not in the shari’ah a legislation except that there's a wisdom behind it, even if many people don't understand it"
▫️[Zaad al ma’aad]
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3. Al-Muqni’ - المقنع
Mentions 2 opinions, without the evidence.
4. Al-Umdah - العمدة
Suitable for beginners and mentions one opinion only.
Usul al-Fiqh: he wrote the famous روضة الناظر
Shaykh then mentioned the lines of poetry which mentions all books:
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Imām al-Hajjāwi رحمه الله said:
وأيّ قربة فعلها وجعل ثوابها لميت مسلم أو حي نفعه ذلك
“All good deeds that are done and its reward is dedicated to a Muslim who is alive or deceased, benefits that person.”
▫️[زاد المستقنع]
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Qutaybah bin Sa’id said:
“If you see a person loving Ahmad ibn Hanbal, you should then know that he follows Sunnah.”
● [مناقب الإمام أحمد بن حنبل صحفة ٣٠١]
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Question:
In the Madhab, the way to calculate the night is by taking the time from Maghrib to Fajr. Are there any scenarios where the night is calculated differently?
Answer:
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[Selected rulings on the awrah of a woman]
Q.What is the awrah of a woman?
A: The Awrah of a free woman is her entire body with the exception of the face during Salah.
Q. What can she reveal in front of her close male relatives?
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[The Imams of the Hanaabilah praising Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah]
The Imams of the Later Hanabilah, Al-Hajjāwī and Al-Buhūtī, Regarding Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on them)
Taken from Al-Iqnā' by Al-Hajjāwī [died 968 AH] and its commentary
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(Grey Hair in the Hanbali Madhab)
It is Makruh (disliked) to pluck white or grey hair in the Hanbali Madhab, this applies to both the face and the head.
Some of the Hanabilah even state that it could be Haram, as it is Haram to pluck facial hair.
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Du'a upon completing Qur'an
It's recommended for a person to make du'a upon completing the recitation of the entire Qur'an.
Ibn Abi Dawud narrated that Anas (رضي الله عنه) used to gather his family upon completion of the Qur'an and make du'a.
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Shams al-Dīn Ibn Mufliḥ al-Ḥanbalī (708–763H) said:
One should know that in many matters, a large number of people act contrary to the prescriptions of the Sharʿīa, and this becomes widespread among them, and many people imitate them in their actions.
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From the mufradat of the Hanabilah is that the woman’s hands are an awrah in salah too.
Some scholars mention that the face and hands (being covered) isn’t from the conditions of validity of the salah.
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“It is from noble manners to ignore any shortcomings of people, and that which emerges from heedlessness such as exposure of 'awrah (nakedness) and the release of gas accompanied by sound or smell. Whoever hears it should appear not to hear it, pretend to be asleep or ignore
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*The Ruling of Isbal (garments below the ankle) within the Madhab*
Ibn Muflih رحمه الله mentions in Adab al-Shar’iyyah:
1) It is Haram (and from the Major sins) to wear garments below the ankles due to pride
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📖 بناء الفقيه
Continuing on from introductory books to Fiqh, (1st being Madaarij Tafaqquh al Hanbali), we have “Binaa ul-Faqih,” written by the Saudi Judge Sh. Ali al-Rashidi. Forwarded by Sh. Quaymi and Sh. Mushayqih.
📖 مدارج تفقه الحنبلي
Beginners guide to Hanbali Fiqh by Shaykh Ahmad al Quaymi. If you don’t know where to start studying Fiqh, this is a good book to read. The Shaykh mentions some advice for students, outlines a curriculum with beginner books to study,
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remember
طعام الكبار سم الصغار
The food of an adult is the poison of a small child
Don’t study more than you can handle and ensure you’re not studying what’s not befitting for you in that moment, your time will come.
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Q: Does the awrah of a woman change when in front of non-muslim women?
A: The awrah of a Muslim woman in front of a Non-Muslim women is from the belly button to the knees. Therefore there is no distinction between Muslims and Non-Muslims in this regard.
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وفي عصرنا كان الموفق حجة .. على فقهه ثبت الأصول معولي
كفى الخلق بالكافي وأقنع طالبا .. بمقنع فقه عن كتاب مطول
وأغنى بمغني الفقه من كان باحثا .. وعمدته من يعتمدها يحصل
وروضته ذات الأصول كروضة ..أماست بها الأزهار أنفاس شمأل
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Some rulings pertaining to congregational prayer in the Hanbali madhab
1) Congregational prayer is obligatory for men for the five daily prayers. It is not a condition for the validity of salah.
2) This obligation can be attained anywhere. So, the person who prays at home
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Ibn Muflih رحمه الله mentions the following in Al-Ādāb al-Shar’iyyah:
Al-Maymūnī asked Imām Ahmed is it more preferable to you that I start my son off with memorising the Qur’an or seeking knowledge?
Imām Ahmed رحمه الله says if a person is young then the Wali’ of that
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summer and winter, in the heat and in the cold,
and every day he outdid what he had done the day before.
[طبقات الحنابلة]
Take Imam Ahmad رحمه الله as your example. Ask yourself at the end of everyday, did i do better than i did yesterday?
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But remember if you aspire to achieve lofty ranks with ‘ilm, it doesn’t happen overnight, or in a couple of years, rather
طلب العلم من المهد إلى اللحد
Seeking knowledge is from the cradle to the grave
take the advice Shaykh Shuway’ir حفظه الله gave, stay consistent
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Hadathana and Akhbarana denote the Hadith of Allah's Messenger Sallalahu alayhi wasallam, meaning the Imam's fiqh and legal view was centralised and based on Hadith, so this is the desired path to be followed, In sha Allah.
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Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما), that he would appoint a man to look out for another man reciting qur'an. If he was going to compete the Qur'an, this man would inform Ibn 'abbas so that he can witness it.
▫️[Kash-shaf al-Qina']
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