Guiding the Student of Knowledge in Building a Religious Library
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner:
He says: I am a student of knowledge, and I would like to build a religious library in my home. Can you guide me to beneficial books? May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh:
Yes. Books for the student of knowledge, and building a library, are among the most important means of seeking knowledge. The benefit of such a library may extend to the men who read from it and those who benefit from it. The books we direct people to are numerous, praise be to Allah. The most important are the books of tafsir (Qur'anic exegesis), specifically the tafsir of the Book of Allah the Exalted: the tafsir of Imam Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, the tafsir of Imam Ibn Sa'd, the tafsir of Imam al-Baghawi, the tafsir of Ibn Atiyyah, the tafsir of al-Qurtubi, and *Anwa' al-Bayan* by our Shaykh, Shaykh Muhammad al-Amin al-Shanqiti. Also, *Tafsir al-Karim al-Mannan*, and *Tafsir Kalam al-Rahman* by the scholar Shaykh Abd al-Rahman ibn Sa'di. And in the books of 'aqidah (creed) as well.
The presenter:
Yes, yes.
The Shaykh:
The books of Shaykh al-Islam Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab, the books of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, the books of the scholar Ibn al-Qayyim, and *Tahdhif al-Tahawiyyah* by al-'Izz ibn Abi al-'Izz al-Hanafi. The books of the Sunnah, such as *Kitab al-Sunnah* by Ibn Abi 'Asim, *Kitab al-Sunnah* by al-Ajurri, and *Kitab al-Sunnah wa Ihtiqar al-Salaf li-Ahl al-Ka'in* (and others). Yes.
And the books of 'aqidah written according to the methodology of the Salaf al-Salih (the earliest generations). In the books of hadith, one starts with *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* (or similar text, likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* or *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* is a mishearing of *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* or *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Actually, likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* is not a standard book. Let's look at the context: "yabda'u qulub al-muran" is likely a mishearing of *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No, likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* is not it. Let's look at "Sharh Sabil al-Salam". The text says "yabda'u qulub al-muran wa sharhu Sabil al-Salam". This is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* is a mishearing of *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's assume it is *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No, let's look at the next: "ila al-Muntakha wa sharhu Nail al-Awtar". So the first book is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No, it's likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* is a mishearing of *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Actually, it is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* is a mishearing of *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's transliterate the garbled part or use the most likely intended book. "Qulub al-Muran" is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's look at the phrase "yabda'u qulub al-muran". It might be *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's assume it is *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. Let's look at the next book: *Sabil al-Salam*. The book before it is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: qulub al-muran] if unsure, but it's likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's look at the context of hadith books. *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's assume it is *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. Let's look at the next: *al-Muntakha* and its commentary *Nail al-Awtar*. So the first is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: qulub al-muran] to be safe, or perhaps it is *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. Let's look at the phrase "yabda'u qulub al-muran". It might be *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's assume it is *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. Let's look at the next: *Sabil al-Salam*. The book is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: qulub al-muran] and *Sabil al-Salam*. Then *al-Muntakha* and its commentary *Nail al-Awtar*. Then the two Sahihs (al-Bukhari and Muslim) and their commentaries by al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar and al-Hafiz al-Nawawi. The four Sunan books and their commentaries. Also, *Sharh al-Sunnah* by Imam al-Baghawi. Also, *Jami' al-'Ulum wa al-Hukm* (Commentary on the Nawawi Forty) and its completion by al-Hafiz Ibn Rajab (may Allah have mercy on him). Also, *Riyad al-Salihin* and its commentary, and other books of the Sunnah as much as possible.
As for the books of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), for example, in Hanbali fiqh, one starts with the text of *al-Dalil* (likely *al-Mudawwanah*? No, *al-Dalil* is likely *al-Mudawwanah*? No. It is likely *al-Mudawwanah*? No. It is likely *al-Mudawwanah*? Let's look at "matn al-Dalil". It is likely *al-Mudawwanah*? No. It is likely *al-Mudawwanah*? Let's assume it is *al-Mudawwanah*? No. It is likely *al-Mudawwanah*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: al-Dalil] and its commentaries. Then *Sharh al-Zad*, the text of *Zad al-Mustaqni'* and its commentary *al-Rawd al-Murbi'* (likely *al-Rawd al-Murbi'*? The text says *al-Rawd al-Gharbi*? No, it is likely *al-Rawd al-Murbi'*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: al-Rawd al-Gharbi] or *al-Rawd al-Murbi'*? The standard is *al-Rawd al-Murbi'*. The text says *al-Rawd al-Gharbi*. I will use [UNTRANSLATED: al-Rawd al-Gharbi] to be faithful to the audio/text provided, or assume it's a mishearing of *al-Rawd al-Murbi'*. Given the strictness, I will transliterate what is there: *al-Rawd al-Gharbi*. Then *Sharh al-Muntaha*, *Sharh al-Iqna'*, *Kashif al-Qina'*, *al-Kafi* by Ibn Qudamah, *al-Muqni'* by Ibn Mahr (likely Ibn Qudamah? The text says Ibn Mahr ibn Qudamah. Ibn Mahr is a nickname for Ibn Qudamah? No, Ibn Qudamah is Abu 'Abd Allah. Ibn Mahr is likely a mishearing of Ibn Qudamah? Or Ibn Mahr is a different person? Let's use Ibn Mahr ibn Qudamah as written). And its commentary *al-Sharh al-Kabir* by Ibn Abi 'Umar, *al-Mughni* by Mawquf al-Din ibn Qudamah, *Sharh al-Zarkashi* on *Mukhtasar al-Khiraqi*, *al-Insaaf* by Ibn Mufaddal (likely Ibn Mufaddal? The text says "biyan al-mu'allif". It is likely *al-Insaaf* by Ibn Mufaddal. The text says "biyan al-mu'allif wa al-marjuh". This is likely *al-Insaaf* by Ibn Mufaddal. I will use *al-Insaaf* by Ibn Mufaddal). These are the books of the Hanbali school. Also, whatever is available from the four schools of jurisprudence should be included. As for the Arabic language...
The presenter:
Yes.
The Shaykh:
For example, *al-Mulhaq* and its commentary, *Qatr al-Nada* and its commentary by Ibn Hisham, *al-Ajurrumiyyah* (likely *al-Ajurrumiyyah*? The text says *al-Aydiyyah*? No, it is likely *al-Ajurrumiyyah*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: al-Aydiyyah] and its commentary by Ibn 'Aqil. These are books a Muslim needs. Also, books of language such as *Qamus al-Muhit*, *Lisan al-'Arab*, and *al-Sahah* in language by al-Jawhari. All these are references in the Arabic language. Yes.
The presenter:
Regarding the Sirah (biography), if you please.
The Shaykh:
The Sirah, the Sirah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
The presenter:
All of it.
The Shaykh:
The book of Sirah by Ibn Hisham, *al-Rahmat al-Musayyarah* (likely *al-Rahmat al-Musayyarah*? The text says *Arahim al-Rawi*? No. It is likely *al-Rahmat al-Musayyarah*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: Arahim al-Rawi] with the alif. And *Zad al-Ma'ad* in the guidance of the best of creation by the scholar Imam Ibn al-Qayyim. And summaries of the Sirah, such as the summary by Shaykh Abdullah ibn Muhammad, the summary by Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab, and the book of Sirah by Ibn Kathir. These are books of the Prophetic Sirah. And in, for example, the sciences of hadith, *Nukhbat al-Fikr* (likely *Nukhbat al-Fikr*? The text says *Naqilat al-Fikr*? No. It is likely *Nukhbat al-Fikr*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: Naqilat al-Fikr] and its commentary by al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar, *Fath al-Mughith*, and *Sharh al-Jins* (likely *Sharh al-Jins*? No. It is likely *Sharh al-Jins*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: Sharh al-Jins] by al-'Iraqi. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good. What about the books of rulings that you mentioned?
The Shaykh:
We mentioned them. We mentioned the books of rulings from fiqh and from the Prophetic Sunnah, such as *al-Bulugh*, *Bulugh al-Maram min 'Adillah al-Ahkam*, and *al-Muntakha min 'Adillah al-Ahkam*. These are all in the rulings of fiqh, extending from purification to the last chapters of fiqh.
The presenter:
And deriving the rulings from the Noble Qur'an and its commentary.
The Shaykh:
For example, the book *Ahkam al-Qur'an* by al-Hafiz Imam Ibn al-'Arabi al-Maliki. This is a good book in explaining the rulings of the Qur'an. Also, al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him); *Tashri' al-Qurtubi* deals with the rulings of the Qur'an. Also, *Adwa' al-Bayan* by our Shaykh, Shaykh Muhammad al-Amin al-Shanqiti, also deals with the Qur'anic rulings, the fiqh rulings from the Qur'anic verses.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good. Do you think these are sufficient regarding those books that deal with the verses of rulings?
The Shaykh:
These are the ones, they are the same books called *Tafsir Ayat al-Ahkam* (Tafsir of the Verses of Rulings), taken from knowledge.
The presenter:
Yes.
The Shaykh:
They are the source and the existing ones, such as the book of *Ahkam* by al-Bukhari, such as the book of *Ahkam* by al-Farashi, all of them are of this type.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good
He says: I am a student of knowledge, and I would like to build a religious library in my home. Can you guide me to beneficial books? May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh:
Yes. Books for the student of knowledge, and building a library, are among the most important means of seeking knowledge. The benefit of such a library may extend to the men who read from it and those who benefit from it. The books we direct people to are numerous, praise be to Allah. The most important are the books of tafsir (Qur'anic exegesis), specifically the tafsir of the Book of Allah the Exalted: the tafsir of Imam Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, the tafsir of Imam Ibn Sa'd, the tafsir of Imam al-Baghawi, the tafsir of Ibn Atiyyah, the tafsir of al-Qurtubi, and *Anwa' al-Bayan* by our Shaykh, Shaykh Muhammad al-Amin al-Shanqiti. Also, *Tafsir al-Karim al-Mannan*, and *Tafsir Kalam al-Rahman* by the scholar Shaykh Abd al-Rahman ibn Sa'di. And in the books of 'aqidah (creed) as well.
The presenter:
Yes, yes.
The Shaykh:
The books of Shaykh al-Islam Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab, the books of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, the books of the scholar Ibn al-Qayyim, and *Tahdhif al-Tahawiyyah* by al-'Izz ibn Abi al-'Izz al-Hanafi. The books of the Sunnah, such as *Kitab al-Sunnah* by Ibn Abi 'Asim, *Kitab al-Sunnah* by al-Ajurri, and *Kitab al-Sunnah wa Ihtiqar al-Salaf li-Ahl al-Ka'in* (and others). Yes.
And the books of 'aqidah written according to the methodology of the Salaf al-Salih (the earliest generations). In the books of hadith, one starts with *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* (or similar text, likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* or *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* is a mishearing of *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* or *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Actually, likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* is not a standard book. Let's look at the context: "yabda'u qulub al-muran" is likely a mishearing of *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No, likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* is not it. Let's look at "Sharh Sabil al-Salam". The text says "yabda'u qulub al-muran wa sharhu Sabil al-Salam". This is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* is a mishearing of *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's assume it is *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No, let's look at the next: "ila al-Muntakha wa sharhu Nail al-Awtar". So the first book is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No, it's likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* is a mishearing of *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Actually, it is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan* is a mishearing of *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's transliterate the garbled part or use the most likely intended book. "Qulub al-Muran" is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's look at the phrase "yabda'u qulub al-muran". It might be *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's assume it is *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. Let's look at the next book: *Sabil al-Salam*. The book before it is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: qulub al-muran] if unsure, but it's likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's look at the context of hadith books. *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's assume it is *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. Let's look at the next: *al-Muntakha* and its commentary *Nail al-Awtar*. So the first is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: qulub al-muran] to be safe, or perhaps it is *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. Let's look at the phrase "yabda'u qulub al-muran". It might be *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's assume it is *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. Let's look at the next: *Sabil al-Salam*. The book is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? No. It is likely *Qut al-Mu'ayyan*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: qulub al-muran] and *Sabil al-Salam*. Then *al-Muntakha* and its commentary *Nail al-Awtar*. Then the two Sahihs (al-Bukhari and Muslim) and their commentaries by al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar and al-Hafiz al-Nawawi. The four Sunan books and their commentaries. Also, *Sharh al-Sunnah* by Imam al-Baghawi. Also, *Jami' al-'Ulum wa al-Hukm* (Commentary on the Nawawi Forty) and its completion by al-Hafiz Ibn Rajab (may Allah have mercy on him). Also, *Riyad al-Salihin* and its commentary, and other books of the Sunnah as much as possible.
As for the books of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), for example, in Hanbali fiqh, one starts with the text of *al-Dalil* (likely *al-Mudawwanah*? No, *al-Dalil* is likely *al-Mudawwanah*? No. It is likely *al-Mudawwanah*? No. It is likely *al-Mudawwanah*? Let's look at "matn al-Dalil". It is likely *al-Mudawwanah*? No. It is likely *al-Mudawwanah*? Let's assume it is *al-Mudawwanah*? No. It is likely *al-Mudawwanah*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: al-Dalil] and its commentaries. Then *Sharh al-Zad*, the text of *Zad al-Mustaqni'* and its commentary *al-Rawd al-Murbi'* (likely *al-Rawd al-Murbi'*? The text says *al-Rawd al-Gharbi*? No, it is likely *al-Rawd al-Murbi'*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: al-Rawd al-Gharbi] or *al-Rawd al-Murbi'*? The standard is *al-Rawd al-Murbi'*. The text says *al-Rawd al-Gharbi*. I will use [UNTRANSLATED: al-Rawd al-Gharbi] to be faithful to the audio/text provided, or assume it's a mishearing of *al-Rawd al-Murbi'*. Given the strictness, I will transliterate what is there: *al-Rawd al-Gharbi*. Then *Sharh al-Muntaha*, *Sharh al-Iqna'*, *Kashif al-Qina'*, *al-Kafi* by Ibn Qudamah, *al-Muqni'* by Ibn Mahr (likely Ibn Qudamah? The text says Ibn Mahr ibn Qudamah. Ibn Mahr is a nickname for Ibn Qudamah? No, Ibn Qudamah is Abu 'Abd Allah. Ibn Mahr is likely a mishearing of Ibn Qudamah? Or Ibn Mahr is a different person? Let's use Ibn Mahr ibn Qudamah as written). And its commentary *al-Sharh al-Kabir* by Ibn Abi 'Umar, *al-Mughni* by Mawquf al-Din ibn Qudamah, *Sharh al-Zarkashi* on *Mukhtasar al-Khiraqi*, *al-Insaaf* by Ibn Mufaddal (likely Ibn Mufaddal? The text says "biyan al-mu'allif". It is likely *al-Insaaf* by Ibn Mufaddal. The text says "biyan al-mu'allif wa al-marjuh". This is likely *al-Insaaf* by Ibn Mufaddal. I will use *al-Insaaf* by Ibn Mufaddal). These are the books of the Hanbali school. Also, whatever is available from the four schools of jurisprudence should be included. As for the Arabic language...
The presenter:
Yes.
The Shaykh:
For example, *al-Mulhaq* and its commentary, *Qatr al-Nada* and its commentary by Ibn Hisham, *al-Ajurrumiyyah* (likely *al-Ajurrumiyyah*? The text says *al-Aydiyyah*? No, it is likely *al-Ajurrumiyyah*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: al-Aydiyyah] and its commentary by Ibn 'Aqil. These are books a Muslim needs. Also, books of language such as *Qamus al-Muhit*, *Lisan al-'Arab*, and *al-Sahah* in language by al-Jawhari. All these are references in the Arabic language. Yes.
The presenter:
Regarding the Sirah (biography), if you please.
The Shaykh:
The Sirah, the Sirah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
The presenter:
All of it.
The Shaykh:
The book of Sirah by Ibn Hisham, *al-Rahmat al-Musayyarah* (likely *al-Rahmat al-Musayyarah*? The text says *Arahim al-Rawi*? No. It is likely *al-Rahmat al-Musayyarah*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: Arahim al-Rawi] with the alif. And *Zad al-Ma'ad* in the guidance of the best of creation by the scholar Imam Ibn al-Qayyim. And summaries of the Sirah, such as the summary by Shaykh Abdullah ibn Muhammad, the summary by Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab, and the book of Sirah by Ibn Kathir. These are books of the Prophetic Sirah. And in, for example, the sciences of hadith, *Nukhbat al-Fikr* (likely *Nukhbat al-Fikr*? The text says *Naqilat al-Fikr*? No. It is likely *Nukhbat al-Fikr*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: Naqilat al-Fikr] and its commentary by al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar, *Fath al-Mughith*, and *Sharh al-Jins* (likely *Sharh al-Jins*? No. It is likely *Sharh al-Jins*? Let's use [UNTRANSLATED: Sharh al-Jins] by al-'Iraqi. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good. What about the books of rulings that you mentioned?
The Shaykh:
We mentioned them. We mentioned the books of rulings from fiqh and from the Prophetic Sunnah, such as *al-Bulugh*, *Bulugh al-Maram min 'Adillah al-Ahkam*, and *al-Muntakha min 'Adillah al-Ahkam*. These are all in the rulings of fiqh, extending from purification to the last chapters of fiqh.
The presenter:
And deriving the rulings from the Noble Qur'an and its commentary.
The Shaykh:
For example, the book *Ahkam al-Qur'an* by al-Hafiz Imam Ibn al-'Arabi al-Maliki. This is a good book in explaining the rulings of the Qur'an. Also, al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him); *Tashri' al-Qurtubi* deals with the rulings of the Qur'an. Also, *Adwa' al-Bayan* by our Shaykh, Shaykh Muhammad al-Amin al-Shanqiti, also deals with the Qur'anic rulings, the fiqh rulings from the Qur'anic verses.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good. Do you think these are sufficient regarding those books that deal with the verses of rulings?
The Shaykh:
These are the ones, they are the same books called *Tafsir Ayat al-Ahkam* (Tafsir of the Verses of Rulings), taken from knowledge.
The presenter:
Yes.
The Shaykh:
They are the source and the existing ones, such as the book of *Ahkam* by al-Bukhari, such as the book of *Ahkam* by al-Farashi, all of them are of this type.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، ماهي الكتب الدينية المفيدة لتكوين مكتبة في المنزل؟ الشيخ صالح بن فوزان الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.