The science of kalam is defined as the discipline that involves presenting arguments concerning matters of faith using rational evidence and refuting the deviant innovators in beliefs who deviate from the methodologies of the predecessors and Ahl al-Sunnah. Imam Ahmad explicitly prohibited indulging in it stating, “Whoever becomes involved in kalam will not succeed.” [Sifah …
The relied-upon opinion among the Hanbali school regarding the disbelief (kufr) resulting from abandoning prayer has two scenarios: First Scenario: If a person abandons prayer while denying its obligation. If the person is knowledgeable, their act is considered an act of disbelief. Similarly, if they are ignorant but aware of its obligation, it is deemed …
By Sh. Faris ibn Falih al-Khazraji Many people wonder about what is happening in the academic arena between the Hanbali scholars and contemporary Salafism, why this dispute exists, and whether the dispute is confined to creed alone? Our answers to these questions are as follows: When we began to present the Hanbali jurisprudential, theological, foundational, …
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By Sh. Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahid al-Hanbali There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding the purity of camel urine, and some scholars have stated that what is used for medicinal purposes is an exception. However, let’s stick to the position that it is pure. They say that it is not permissible to drink …
The Fuqahaa have a unique way of reconciling apparently contradictory texts within the Quran and Sunnah. It’s a very rigorous filtering process to try their best at arriving at the truth. Each of the four schools has their own methodology and there is some overlap in some cases. The following is a brief description that …
How the Hanbali School Deals with Contradictory Evidence Read More »
Every now and then I get an email through this blog from someone who wants to begin studying the Hanbali school of fiqh but cannot understand Arabic. They are often eager to start right away and are looking for resources. I am going to share here what I usually tell them. The first thing you need …
How to Start Studying the Hanbali School in English Read More »
As I delve deeper into Usool al-Fiqh and Fiqh studies, I can see why it is so important for a jurist to learn Usool. A student who studies Fiqh without Usool al-Fiqh is like a person who learns answers to questions without understanding how the solutions came to be. The jurists lay out their legal …