Advice for one who wishes to author a book.
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The Shaykh : I received a response previously stating that, by the will of Allah, today all the youth are attacking Al-Albani with an "German-style" attack. The reason for this is their enthusiasm, but this enthusiasm, as it is said, "Opinion comes before the courage of the brave *** It is the first, and the place is the second". Let the youth write about those about whom we have not written, and in which we have not written either, on any topic that benefits the Muslims, if they have knowledge. As for the field of criticism, if I were to direct myself to criticizing their books, I would perhaps make them, without exaggeration, scattered dust. But is this knowledge?
The questioner : No.
The Shaykh : This is not knowledge. Therefore, we advise them to write, first of all, for themselves. Then, if they have written and wish to publish, they should write about things that have not been written by those before them or by their contemporaries. This is more beneficial for people. As for us, we are occupied with responding, commenting, and verifying, especially since I find very strange things. Yesterday, one person told me that so-and-so, the son of so-and-so, narrated to Muslim a hadith in which so-and-so is mentioned, and Ibn Sa'd said of him, "He is not to be relied upon as a narrator," and so-and-so said such-and-such. I said, "What do you mean?" He was silent. I said, "Does the man mean that the narrator was not authenticated? Do you want to say this?" He said, "No." I said, "Then what is the benefit of such a question?" And I was leaving the mosque. Now, people are attacking criticism and questioning without looking far ahead. We advise our brother Al-'Adawi—is he not the one who also wrote on hijab and *Al-Mu'anniq*? I do not know what else. *Al-Mu'anniq* does not go beyond the book of Isma'il al-Ansari, and I have responded to him. Should I respond to this as well? And so we waste time.
The questioner : Perhaps you discussed with him the hadith of "Your forgiveness" in a face-to-face conversation. Do you remember that?
The Shaykh : I do not remember that. Yes, it is possible.
The questioner : Return to your statement about it.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, but this field is vast. May Allah reward you.
The questioner : Do you have a treatise on terminology, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : No.
The questioner : We want that, or the best book on terminology to which we can refer.
The Shaykh : Yes, but "Not everything a man wishes for does he attain *** The winds blow with what the sailor does not desire"
The questioner : The best book on terminology, O Shaykh?
The questioner : No.
The Shaykh : This is not knowledge. Therefore, we advise them to write, first of all, for themselves. Then, if they have written and wish to publish, they should write about things that have not been written by those before them or by their contemporaries. This is more beneficial for people. As for us, we are occupied with responding, commenting, and verifying, especially since I find very strange things. Yesterday, one person told me that so-and-so, the son of so-and-so, narrated to Muslim a hadith
When the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah enter and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, let him not take from his hair
إذا دخل عشر ذي الحجة وأراد أحدكم أن يضحي فلا يأخذن من شعرهThe questioner : Perhaps you discussed with him the hadith of "Your forgiveness" in a face-to-face conversation. Do you remember that?
The Shaykh : I do not remember that. Yes, it is possible.
The questioner : Return to your statement about it.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, but this field is vast. May Allah reward you.
The questioner : Do you have a treatise on terminology, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : No.
The questioner : We want that, or the best book on terminology to which we can refer.
The Shaykh : Yes, but "Not everything a man wishes for does he attain *** The winds blow with what the sailor does not desire"
The questioner : The best book on terminology, O Shaykh?