The following are my notes from the chapter on al-Ribaa (interest) from the Hanbali text Akhsar al-Mukhtasarat. The source of the notes are my teacher Sh. Muhammad Gamal Aly with whom I am studying the text and Sh. Bajabir’s commentary on the book. Definition Ribaa means an increase in a particular item. The word is derived from a root meaning increase or growth It is prohibited according to the Qur’an, Sunnah, and consensus of the scholars It is one of the seven major destructive sins It does not refer to any and every type of growth in a sale but…

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There is a difference of opinion among Muslim scholars as to what constitutes a valid contract. The evidences behind their conclusions are discussed in more advanced classes. In the Hanbali school, the following seven conditions must be met for a contract to be considered valid: Both parties willingly agree to the contract If forced, then it is invalid Exception: if a ruler intercedes on behalf of the buyer because the latter’s rights were violated in some way, then in this case the ruler can force the seller to sell based on the original agreement between the two Both parties be among…

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Why Do We Pray Istikhara Prayer (صلاة الاستخارة)? This prayer is prescribed because a believer comes across numerous choices in his/her life that leaves him/her puzzled and uncertain about which choice to make. This may lead him/her to be unable to make a decision due to fear of making the wrong choice. Therefore, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) advised the believers to use this prayer as a form of seeking guidance from Allah on the matter. The specific supplication (du’a) prescribed by the Prophet (pbuh) asks Allah to guide the decision of the person to whatever is good for him/her in…

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There is a difference of opinion among Muslims scholars as to what type of things are considered impure (najas). The evidences behind their conclusions are discussed in more advanced classes. In the Hanbali school, the following things are considered impure (najas): Any intoxicating liquid This includes any hashisha that intoxicates Any bird or animal that is not allowed to be eaten and is larger than a cat Examples: lions, wolves, dogs, pigs, eagles, elephants, vultures, etc. Anything originating from such animals is also considered impure, such as, their saliva, snot, meat, milk, sperm, urine, feces, etc. Any carcass that has flowing blood…

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