By Allah, you have not carried me for this!

Ibn al-Mubarak said: How many people carry the Qur’an in the hearts but the Qur’an curses them from inside their hearts! If the bearer of Qur’an disobeys his Lord, the Qur’an calls him from inside his chest saying, ‘By Allah, you have not carried me (i.e. memorised me) for this! Will you not be shy from your Lord ?

Where is this woman? by Mohammad ElShinawy

Easy and Fast Way to Memorize Qur’an – Imam Al Jurri’s website

Easiest Way to Memorize Al-Quraan

By our dear Shaykh: Abdul-Muhsin bin Muhammad al-Qaasim
Imaam and Khateeb of Masjid An-Nabawiyy ash-Shareef
———— ——— ——-

All praise is due to Allah and may blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and companions, all together.

This way is excellent for strengthening memorization and its firmness (in the memory), quick memorization and completing the Quraan with speed. And this way, with a demonstration with one section (wajh- which is about eight ayaat) from Surah al-Jumu`ah, is what follows:
1-Read the first ayah twenty times
( يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ)

2- Read the second ayah twenty times
( هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آَيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِنْ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ)

3- Read the third ayah twenty times
( وَآَخَرِينَ مِنْهُمْ لَمَّا يَلْحَقُوا بِهِمْ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ )

4-Read the fourth ayah twenty times
( ذَلِكَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ )

5- Read these four (ayaat), from the first of them to the last of them, to link between them, twenty times.

6-Read the fifth ayah twenty times
( مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوْرَاةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ الْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًا بِئْسَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآَيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ )

7- Read the sixth ayah twenty times
( قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ هَادُوا إِنْ زَعَمْتُمْ أَنَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ لِلَّهِ مِنْ دُونِ النَّاسِ فَتَمَنَّوُا الْمَوْتَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ )

8- Read the seventh ayah twenty times
( وَلَا يَتَمَنَّوْنَهُ أَبَدًا بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالظَّالِمِينَ )

9- Read the eighth ayah twenty times
( قُلْ إِنَّ الْمَوْتَ الَّذِي تَفِرُّونَ مِنْهُ فَإِنَّهُ مُلَاقِيكُمْ ثُمَّ تُرَدُّونَ إِلَى عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ )

10- Read from ayah the fifth ayah to the eighth ayah twenty times to connect them.

11- Read from the first ayah to the eighth ayah: twenty times to perfect this wajh

And like this, stick to this way in each wajh for the whole Quraan and do not increase in a single day more than eight (ayaat) so that you do not increase over you what you have already memorized, then the memorization changes and leaves your memory
V. If I wanted to memorize a new wajh the next day, how do I do so?
– When you want to memorize the next wajh the next day, then before you memorize the new wajh by the way I mentioned to you, read from the first wajh (from the beginning) to the end of it twenty times so that what you have already memorized becomes firm in your memory, then go over to the new wajh on the way that I pointed to.
V. How do I bring together memorization and review?
– Do not memorize Al-Quraan without review because if you memorized al-Quraan one wajh at a time until you complete the Quraan and then you want to return to what you memorized, you would find yourself haven forgotten what you memorized. And the ideal way of bringing together memorization and review, and you divide the Quraan into three parts; every ten ajza’ (plural of juz’) is a part. So when you have memorized ten ajza’ then pause (memorization) for a complete month for review and everyday review 8 awjah (pl. of wajh)
-After a month of review begin with the memorization, memorizing one or two wajh, according to your ability, and review eight awjah, until you have memorized twenty juz’. When you have memorized twenty juz’, pause the memorization for a period of two months for reviewing the twenty juz’, each day reviewing eight awjah.
When two months have passed on reviewing, begin memorization again every day one or two wajh, according to your ability and review eight awjah, until you end the memorization of al-Quraan completely.
-When you have completed the memorization of al-Quraan, review the first ten ajza’ only, over a period of one month, each day half of a juz’, then go ‘ on to the twenty juz’ over a period of one month, each day half a juz’ and read eight awjah from the first ten ajza’, then go to reviewing the last ten ajza’ of al-Quraan over a period of one month, each day half a juz’ with
eight awjah from the first ten ajza’, and eight awjah from the twenty juz’.
V. How do I review the whole Quraan when I have completed this review?
-Begin reviewing the whole Quraan, everyday two juz’, repeating it three times each day, and (like this) you will complete the whole Quraan in two weeks. And by this way, you will have, in the course of a year, perfected the Quraan completely. And follow this way for the whole year.
V. What do I do a year after memorizing al-Quraan?
-A year after perfecting al-Quraan and reviewing it, let your daily portion of al-Quraan till your death be the portion of Allah’s Messenger Sallallau `alayhi wa Sallam, for he used to portion the Quraan into seven, meaning every seven days he would complete the Quraan. Aws in Hudhaifah rahimahuLlah said: I asked the Companions of the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu `alayhi wa Sallam, “How did you divide the Quraan?” They said” Three suwar (pl. of surah) , five suwar, seven suwar, nine suwar, eleven suwar, and the Mufassil, from surah Qaaf until the end.” Ahmad reported it
-This means from the first day he reads from Surah al-Faatihah to the end of Surah an-Nisaa. On the second day he reads from Surah al-Maaidah to the end of Surah at-Tawbah. On the third day he reads from Surah Yunus to the end of Surah an-Nahl. On the fourth day he reads from Surah al-Israa to the end of Surah al-Furqaan. On the fifth day he reads from Surah ash-Shu`araa to the end of Surah Yaaseen. On the sixth day he reads from Surah as-Saaffaat to Surah al-Hujuraat. And on the seventh day, he reads from Surah Qaaf to the end of Surah an-Naas.
-And the Ulamaa’ have summarized the portions of Rasulillah Sallallau `alayhi wa Sallam into their words “Famee bi shawq” “فمي بشوق” which can be roughly translated as “My mouth is longing” or “My mouth eagerly”

-So each letter in these two words is the beginning of one of the everyday portions Rasulillah Sallallahu `alayhi wa Sallam . The letter ‘Faa’ in the word “Famee” is a symbol for Surah al-Faatihah that shows that it is his hizb (portion) for the day that he begins with Surah al-Faatihah.
The letter ‘Meem’ in their word “Famee” is for the beginning of his hizb on the second day, beginning with Surah al-Maaidah.
The letter ‘Yaa’ in their word “Famee” is for the beginning of his hizb for the third day, beginning with Surah Yunus.
The letter ‘Baa’ in their word “Bi shawq” is for the beginning of his hizb on the fourth day, beginning with Surah Banee Israa-eel, which is also called Surah al-Israa.
The letter ‘Sheen’ in their word “bi shawq” is for the beginning of his hizb on the fifth day, which will begin with Surah ash-Shu`araa.
The letter ‘Waa’ in their word “bi shawq” is for the beginning of his hizb on the sixth day, which begins with Surah was-Saaffaat (as-Saaffaat) .
The letter ‘Qaaf’ in their word “bi shawq” is for the beginning of his hizb for the seventh day, which begins with Surah Qaaf to the end of Surah an-Naas.
As for the current way that the Quraan was divided into ahzaab (pl. of hizb), then this is from al-Hajjaaj bin Yusuf.
V. How do I distinguish between similar ayaat in al-Quraan?
– It is best to, when you come across two similar ayat, to open the mushaf to these two ayaat, see the difference between then, and contemplate it, and put yourself to a test, and during your review the part that difference repeatedly until you master the similarity between them.
V. Rules and regulations in memorization
1- Your memorization must be with a shaykh for correction recitation
2-Memorize everyday two wajh, a wajh after Fajr and a wajh after `Asr or Maghrib, and with this way, you will memorize the complete Quraan perfectly (bi idhniLlah) in one year and you memorization will be perfect, unless you increase in the memorization, for if you did, what you memorized will weaken
3-Your memorization should be from Suran an-Naas to Surah Al-Baqarah because it is easier. And after you memorize al-Quraan your review will be
from Surah al-Baqarah to Surah an-Naas
4-The memorization should be from a mushaf with the one print to be certain about the strength of the memorization and quicker studying the places of the ayaat and the ends and beginnings of the pages.
5- Everyone who memorizes (the Quraan) in the first two years loses some of what he memorized. This is called the “Marhalatut- Tajmee`”, roughly translated as the “Gathering Stage”. So do not worry about the Quraan leaving you or making many mistakes. This is a difficult stage of affliction which shaytaan has a portion of to make you stop memorizing al-Quraan. So do not pay attention to his whispers and continue memorizing it, for it is a treasure that is not given to just anyone…
Please see the original (Arabic) post
Taken from shabkati al-Imaam al-Ajurri (Imam al-Ajurri’s website)
Translated from Arabic into English by Ummu Istabraq as-Salafiyyah
If you notice any errors in the translation, please notify us.

13 Steps to Memorize the Qur’an

During one of his seminar about the Sciences of the Qur’an, sh. Yasir Qadhi shared with us some practical steps that helped him memorize the Qur’an during his teenage years.

Realize it’s a spiritual AND physical project. It’s a miracle and blessing from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala that you’re able to absorb the Qur’an. If you want to take advantage of this blessing, you should be in a position to receive it and therefore strive physically to achieve it and strive spiritually to get the maximum benefit.

1.  Sincerity. The first matter you have to pay attention to is your intention (if you intend good you will get good). Make sure that the intention you are making is only for the sake of Allah SWT,  to seek His Pleasure so that inshAllah, with His Mercy, we will be rewarded in the Aakhirah. It is not to show off in front of others that you have memorized a lot. Sincerity is not a one time factor rather it’s a continual battle that you always have to renew.

2.  Consistency . The more frequently you memorize, the easier it becomes. It is very essential to be consistent, and not to skip even one day. There is no Week-end in worship. The bare minimum that one should memorize is at least 3 lines, 5 is more ideal. If you are consistent, inshAllah, you will be able to be huffadh in 5-6 years

3.  Timing. The first thing you should do in the day is memorize – even do so before your breakfast, because this is your spiritual breakfast. The best time to memorize is right after Fajr. . (sh. Yasir used to take one hour to memorize a page in the beginning, and eventually came down to 15-20 minutes)

4.  Atmosphere. Have a secluded place to go to and memorize in a place that is quiet. You just can’t memorize properly with distractions, so turn off all your devices (like cell phones)

5.  Familiarity: start at the same time, at the same place and use the same mushaf every day. You need to have your own copy of the Mushaf (the Madani Mushaf is highly recommended), it will later become so dear to you.

6.  No Magic trick: repeat, repeat, repeat, over and over again. It is just repetitive recitation and/or listening that will help to memorize.

7. Memorize with the meaning: read the translation before you start and try to match the Arabic words with their meanings

8. Surround yourself with recitation: listen to the Qur’an. Before you start memorize, listen to what you are about to memorize. Sh. Husary is highly recommended (see here the best resources to help you memorize)

9.  Find a recitation buddy: get a friend, a family member or someone you know who will listen to your recitation every day. Ideally, get someone who is also memorizing to create a peer pressure system.

10.  Recite daily in your salaat what you have memorized. If you forget one portion, you will immediately rush towards the Qur’an and correct your mistake and you will never do this mistake again.

11. Triple daily dose:

a)     New memorization at your assigned time of the day

b)    Revision of the previous 7 days, just before you start the new memorization: This is because the fastest thing you forget is the new memorization. And doing so, will also build the connector between the old ones and the new portion you are going to memorize. Plus, it will be a good warm up for the brain when you recall from your memory and recite, before you go into the real exercise of doing the new memorization.

c)     At a later/another time of the day, revise those before the recent 7 days. The bare minimum should be 4-5 pages.

12. Do not jump around. Be consistent. Don’t try to go to another surah if you find it difficult and stick to the order. That way, you will have the satisfaction of having completed a juz rather than leaving some portions here and there.

13.  The three chunks. Start from the back. Shorter surahs will bring you a big boost. You should divide the memorization of the Qur’an in three parts:

a)     Juz 28, 29, 30 or just Juz 29, 30

b)    Surah Al-Kahf till Juz 28

c)     Surah Al-Baqara to Surah Al-Kahf

The Best Way to Memorize The Noble Qur’an According to My Personal Opinion

By Dr. Yahya al-Ghouthani, Jeddah (world leading Quranic recitation authority)

Translated by Abu Muqatil – may Allah be forgiving to him and his parents

In light of the principles which have passed us by in the previous section, I say to whoever wants to memorize a page from the Noble Quran from any chapter that I hope that you will stay with me so we can read the following steps together at ease paving the way to apply it precisely.

1. Obtain a good mus-haf

Try to obtain a good copy of the Quran whose size is according to your need and never ever replace it so that you will be strong in memorising the parts of the pages and the lines. The mus-haf al-huffaaz (the memorisers’ codex) [i.e. the text of the popular green edition from Madina written by the world famous calligrapher, Ta Ha Uthman] is preferred which starts with the verse at the start of the page and finishes with the last verse, and it is divided up well, whereby the Quran being thirty juz` (parts), every juz` has 20 pages and every page has 25 lines. The King Fahd organization in Medina al-Munawwarah has built a printer for this copy and I advice getting it as it is the most accurate contemporary print.

 

2. Set the scene

Setting the scene for memorization according to the following:-

i. Self-composure – Have the correct intention in mind and a desire for reward from Allah

ii. Wudoo` (ablution) and complete purity – Do not take the easy option of those who give a fatwa (legal edict) for its opposite as that goes against what befits high regard of the Speech of Allah and good manners with it.

iii. Comfortable setting – Sitting in a place where you feel at ease, and there is no more sacred place than the mosque.

iv. Free of distractions – It is preferred that it is a place without many pictures, carvings, decorations and distractions. The more enclosed the place is – with all due regards to fresh air – the better, compared with open space, trees and gardens. Even if some may differ with me, but I say this based upon experience not from abstract thinking. The atmosphere for light reading is different from the atmosphere for focused memorization, as wide spaces, sceneries and trees distract the mind and focus. Whatever is suitable for light reading is not needed for genuine work and focus, as mentioned in rule 4.

v. Face the Qibla – (direction of prayer towards Mecca) and sit in a state of submission, tranquillity and respect.

 

3. “Warm up”

Begin the “warm up” process (for want of a better expression). It is the preparation where you read a few pages of the Quran before starting the memorization process, whether from memory or looking.

Recite nicely, listening to yourself without haste or delay.

This is a fundamental component in preparing the self. You will find many successful memorization teachers do not allow the student to memorize before getting them to revise the previous session and letting the sheikh hear. This is to prepare him psychologically and spiritually for memorization, whilst the student may be totally unaware of the teacher’s aim.

4. Be controlled in recitation

Beware of your voice’s beauty from distracting you at this point. The sweetness of your tone encompasses you in the atmosphere of chanting. So you start thinking that you’re so-and-so, the famous reciter, then you assume his persona and start to recite with deliberation and perfecting the letters. You repeat it and recite it again like some of the reciters. Perhaps it all goes over the top and you bring out a microphone and recording equipment. Time will pass by whilst you are unaware, and you become like that young man who really wanted to memorize the Quran but every time he sat down to memorize he opened the Quran at 7-rah Y-suf and began to chant it until the time passed him by and he memorized absolutely nothing.

5. “Feel that urge…”

About 10-15 minutes of the warm up exercise and personal preparation you will feel a strong desire in yourself to memorize, with that it is possible for you to start with a new page you want to memorize.

6. Focus

Here begins an important stage, you really have to doubly focus on the verses. Imagine that your eye is a camera lens, and that you want to film the page with sound and image. Be careful not to shake the camera.

7. “Action!”

Open your eyes well. Free your mind from any distraction. Read by looking at the first verse at the top of the page in an audible voice with tajw5d [the correct rules of recitation]. Read correctly with concentration. Lets use an as example His statement, the Most High:

 

سيقول السفهاء من الناس ما ولاهم عن قبلتهم التي كانوا عليها قل لله المشرق والمغرب يهدي من يشاء إلى صراط مستقيم

 

The fools among the people will say, “What has turned them from their prayer direction to which they were used to face in prayer.” Say, “To Allah belong both, east and the west. He guides whom He wills to a Straight Way.” [2:142]

Read three or more times until your mind takes it all in, then close your eyes and picture in your mind the places of the words and read them. If you succeed in reading them completely without any mistake, don’t get excited but instead repeat two, three or five times.

8. Repeat

Then open your eyes a second time. Read the same verse from the book to confirm the correctness of your memorization. If you are certain that you’ve memorized it correctly, don’t get excited. Instead close your eyes and read another time. With this you have chiselled in your mind an engraving that is impossible to disappear with the permission of Allah, the Most High. Try the steps carefully, you will definitely find this approach sound.

Note: During the process of recall and repetition, be careful not to divert your gaze to the things around you such as written notices distributed upon walls, posters, artwork, or décor. Do not follow a whirling fan. Do not be concerned about the type of furniture or coverings you’re sitting on. Be careful of excessively looking out of the windows, perhaps your eyes will chance upon something that will not please you, or perhaps you will be distracted by the scene of people in the street, or the scene of cars as happens to students during their revision for their exams. One of them stands at the window with the excuse of getting fresh air, then there he takes a census of cars based upon make and model, and in this manner time passes him and is wasted whilst he hasn’t benefited a single thing.

You have no business with these distractions, my brother. You have put yourself forward as someone from the people of the Quran and from its memorizers, and that requires motivation, perseverance, focus and an absence of distractions.

9. Next verse

After that move to the verse immediately following it:

 

…وكذلك جعلناكم أمة وسطا

Thus we have made you a middle nation…[2:143]

 

 

 

and begin with the same steps we outlined with the previous verse. If you think the verse is long, then divide it into several parts corresponding to correct and sound stops and normal meanings. Then repeat and repeat many times until it is engraved deeply in your memory.

10. Connection process

Begin now with the connection process which I mentioned in the eighth rule of memorization. That is by opening the book and focusing on the last part of the first verse – for example – إلى صراط مستقيم …and read it with an audible voice then connect it quickly without any stop with the first part of the second verse وكذلك جعلناكم أمة وسطا. Repeat this process many times but no less than five times.

After reading these steps – if you like them – begin implementing them straight away and record in a special notebook the date of beginning memorization. Contact someone you love and trust, and then tell them that you have found a technique in memorizing the Quran that you began applying today, so that you can be someone who guides to good.

One of the benefits of contacting someone like this is that it will be an encouragement for you in memorization and continuation, as it reflects an increased conviction in oneself with what you’ve read.

This is what is confirmed in psychology, if a person does something and he convinces someone else about it, then it is like taking a firm stance without retracting from it and his behaviour increases his conviction in what he does.

It is possible to summarize this method in the following steps:-

1. Personal composure

2. Warm up

3. Concentration

4. Repetition

5. Connecting

Result = a strong memorization with the best method.

Source: Kayfa Tahfaz al-Qur`aan al-Kareem (“How to Memorise the Noble Quran”)

Not Everyone is Suitable to be Your Friend

“Know that not everyone is suitable to be your friend…”

1 – Allah Said:

{“Ah! Woe to me! If only I had never taken so-and-so as a friend! He indeed led me astray from the Reminder after it had come to me!”}

[al-Furqan; 28-29]

2 – The Messenger of Allah said:

“A person is upon the way of his friend. So, let one of you look to whom he keeps as a friend.”

[‘Sahih al-Jami” (3545) and ‘as-Silsilah as-Sahihah’ (927)]

3 – ‘Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Hambal said:

“My father went out to Tarsus on foot, and he perfored two or three Hajjs on foot, and he was the most patient of people upon being alone.”

[‘Tarjamat al-Imam Ahmad’; p. 18]

4 – Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“Know that the greatest of losses is for you to be preoccupied with one who will bring you nothing but a loss in your time with Allah – the Mighty and Majestic – and being cut off from Him, a wasting your time with the person, a weakening of your energy, and the dispersing of your resolve. So, if you are tested with this – and you must be tested with this – deal with him according to how Allah would wish, and be patient with him as much as possible. Get closer to Allah and His Pleasure by way of this person, and make your getting together with him something to benefit from, not something to incur a loss from. Be with him as if you are a man who is on a road who was stopped by another man, who then asks you to take him on your journey. Make sure that you are the one who gives him a ride, and that he is not the one giving you the ride. If he refuses, and there is nothing to gain from travelling with him, do not stop for him, bid him farewell, and do not even turn back to look at him, as he is a highway robber, regardless of who he really is.

So, save your heart, be wary of how you spend your days and nights, and do not let the Sun set before you arrive at your destination.”

[‘al-Wabil as-Sayyib’; p. 45]

5 – Ibn Jama’ah said:

“So, it is upon the student of knowledge to abandon socialization, as abandoning it is from the most important things that the student of knowledge must do – let alone with members of the opposite gender – especially with those who spend most of their time in play, and spend little of their time in thought, as the nature of individuals can rob you.

The harms of socialization include the passing of life without any benefit, as well as the decline of wealth and religious practice, if this socialization were to occur with the wrong people.

The student of knowledge should not mix except with either those who he can benefit, or can benefit from. And if he is offered the friendship of one who will waste his time with him, will not benefit him, will not benefit from him, and will not assist him in reaching his objective, he should politely end the relationship from the start before it progresses to something deeper, as when something becomes established, it becomes more difficult to change it. There is a phrase that is constantly on the tongues of the Fuqaha’: ‘Repelling something is easier than removing it.’

So, if he requires someone to befriend, let that person be righteous, religious, pious, wary, intelligent, full of benefit, having little evil, good at complying, rarely conflicting, reminding him if he forgets, cooperating with him when he is reminded, helpful if he is in need, and comforting if he is in distress.”

[‘Tadhkirat as-Sami’ wal-Mutakallim’; p. 83]

6 – Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi said:

“Know that not everyone is suitable to be your friend. You must verify that this potential friend has the neccessary characteristics that make friendship with him something to be desired. The one you seek to befriend must have five characteristics:

• He must be intelligent, as there is no good in befriending an idiot, as he will only harm you when he wants to benefit you. By intelligent, we mean one who understands things as they are, either on his own, or if they are explained to him;

• He must have good manners, and this is a must. One who is simply intelligent might be overcome by anger or desire, and obey his desire. Thus, there would be no benefit in befriending him;

• He must not be a fasiq, as such a person would not fear Allah, and whoever does not fear Allah cannot be trusted;

• He must not be an innovator, as his abundance of innovation is feared from befriending him;

• He should not be eager for the dunya.”

[‘Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Qasidin’; p. 126-132]

Just Hold Your Breath

Bismillah walHamdulillah

Today I entered a bathroom. Yes, I know you may be thinking “ok…why are you telling me that.” There’s a point to this, don’t worry. It was stinky in there. I just had to go in and quickly wash my hands and do a couple of things at the sink. So I did what many normal people would do — I held my breath. It’s not like I was going to be in there for a while, right? I was just going to go do what I needed to, and then leave immediately after. It’s not like I live in that bathroom. So a thought occurred to me…. This dunyah is like a stinky bathroom. It’s so impure; the urine, the feces, the disbelief. And yet here we are, with a task at hand, something we must accomplish before leaving. So since it’s not the most comfortable of places…just hold your breath. It’s a short life, you can do it, bi’ithnillah. Keep striving…just be patient for a little longer.

As Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyyah said “O you who are patient! Bear a little more, just a little more remains.”

Surah An Najm recited by Tawfeeq Al Sayegh

The Female Teachers of Adh Dhahabee

The female teachers of the historian of Islam, Shams-ud-Deen, Abu ‘Abdillah, Muhammad Bin Ahmed Bin ‘Uthmaan Adh-Dhahabee

 (may Allah have mercy on him) – Translated and compiled by: Abu Yusuf, Sagheer Ibn ‘Abdir-Rasheed Al-Kashmeeree

Translated Exclusively for Sisters Upon Al-Istiqaamah

 

 

In his famous book Taareekh-ul-Islaam, Adh-Dhahabee (may Allah have mercy on him) says:

 

 

191. ‘Faatimah Bint Al-Haafidh Abil-Qaasim ‘Alee Ibn Al-Haafidh Bahaa-ud-deen Abee Muhammad Al-Qaasim Ibn Al-Haafidh Al-kabeer, the muhaddith of Shaam, Abul-Qaasim ‘Alee Bin Al-Hasan Ibn ‘Asaakir, Umm-ul-‘Arab Ad-Dimishqeeyah.

 

She was born in the year (5)98, and she heard from ‘Umar Bin Tabarzad, Hanbal Al-Mukkabir, Abul-Futooh Al-Jalaajolee, Sittul-Kattabah Bint Tarraah and Abul-Yumn Al-Kindee. And she was given permission to narrate by Abu Ja’far As-Saydalaanee, Muhammad Ibn Faakhir, Abu-Futooh As’ad Al-‘Ijlee and a number of Sheikhs from Al-‘Iraaq, Khurasaan and Asbahaan. And she was steadfast, honourable, outstanding in chain of narration, deep-rooted in hadeeth. And her hearing (of narrations) from ‘Umar and Hanbal is at the fifth level and she also has (the hearing of narrations) at the sixth level from ‘Umar.

Ad-Dimyaatee, Qutb-ud-Deen Ibn Al-Qastalaanee, Muhammad Bin Muhammad Al-Kanjee, Ibn-ul-Khabbaaz, ‘Alaa-ud-Deen Ibn-ul-‘Attaar, Jamaal-ud-Deen Al-Mizzee, ‘Alam-ud-Deen Al-Birzaalee and a group from other than them narrated from her. And she gave me permission to narrate her narrations.  

She died on the 19th of Sha’baan.’ (page 503)

 

248. ‘Sittul-‘Arab Bint Yahyah Bin Qaiymaaz, Umm-ul-Khair Ad-Dimishqeeyah.

 

She heard from their freed slave At-Taaj Al-Kindee and she was present with Ibn Tabarzad. And the elders heard from her, and she gave us permission to narrate her narrations. And she had permission to narrate from Al-Muayyad At-Toosee and a group. Ibn-ul-Khabbaaz, Ibn-ul-‘Attaar, Al-Mizzee, Al-Birzaalee and a group narrated from her.

I asked Al-Mizzee about her and he said:

‘An honourable Shaykhah, much in hearing (narrations), she heard Al-Ghaylaaniyaat and other than them from Ibn Tabarzad. And she narrated for many years.’

I say: She was born in Rabee-ul-Aakhar in the year (5)99 and she died on the 29th of Muharram.’ (page 519)

 

 

311. ‘Zainab Bint ‘Alee Bin Ahmed Bin Fadl, the ascetic worshipping Shaykhah, Umm Muhammad Bint Al-Waasitee.

 

She was born, I think, in the year 605, and she heard a volume from Ash-Shaykh Al-Muwaffaq in the year (6)11. We heard it from her. And she was the mother of our Shaykh Ash-Shams Ibn-uz-Zarraad. And her brother Shaykh Taqi-ud-Deen, despite his greatness, would intend to visit her and seek blessings through her. And there were few of her like, may Allah be pleased with her.

 

She died on the 5th of Muharram.’  (page 811)

 

461. ‘Shaah Sittu, the daughter of Shaykh Shams-ud-Deen Abul-Ghanaaim Al-Musallam Bin Muhammad Bin ‘Allaan Al-Qaisee.

 

She was born at the end of the year 618 and she narrated to us from her father’s paternal uncle Makkee Bin ‘Allaan. She heard from her brother-in-law, Saalim Bin Sasree. She was the mother of the Imaam, the judge of judges, Najm-ud-Deen Ahmed Bin Sasree.

She died on the 20th of Muharram, and her kunyah was Umm Ahmed. She was righteous, generous and very pious. Her eyesight departed from her for a period of time.’ (Pp.855-6)

 

462. ‘Shuhdah Bint Muhammad Bin Hassaan Bin Raafi’ Bin Sumayr Al-‘Aamireeyah, Amatur-Rahmaan.

 

She was born at the end of the year (6)28. She heard from Ja’far Al-Hamdaanee and she was present with Al-Irbeelee. Ibn Baaqaa and Muhammad Bin ‘Ammaad gave permission for her to narrate. And she also heard from her father Khateeb Al-Mussalla Abee ‘Abdillah Al-Qasarhajaajee. I heard two volumes from her.  And indeed, she narrated after the year (6)60.

She died in the early part of the year, or otherwise at the end of the year (70)6.’ (page 856)

467. ’Aaishah Bint Al-Majd ‘Eesa Ibn-ul-Imaam Muwaffaq-ud-Deen ‘Abdullah Bin Ahmed Bin Muhammad Bin Qudaamah, the righteous, senior, worshipper who would narrate, Umm Ahmed Al-Maqdiseeyah As-Saaliheeyah.

 

She was born in the year 611 and Al-Qaadee Abul-Qaasim Ibn-ul-Harastaanee and a group gave her permission to narrate. And she heard from her father, Ash-Shihaab Bin Raajih, Al-‘Izz Muhammad Ibn Al-Haafidh and other than them by being present there. And she heard from her grandfather and other than him. And she was alone (in narrating) a few volumes. And she also heard from Al-Bahaa ‘Abdur-Rahmaan, As-Siraaj Abee ‘Abdillah Ibn Az-Zubaidee and Ad-Diyaa Al-Maqdisee.

Ibn-ul-Khabbaaz narrated from her in her lifetime, and the generality of the students heard from her; Al-Muqaatalee, Ibn-un-Naabulusee, Al-Muhibb, myself and Yusuf Ad-Dimyaatee.

She died on the 19th of Sha’baan. And hearing her had become hard and we would not take from her except with difficulty. And she was the sister of Al-Haafidh-us-Sayf.’  (page 857)

 

480. Faakhirah Bint  Abee Saalih ‘Ubaidullah Bin ‘Umar Bin ‘Abdur-Raheem Ibn-ul-‘Ajmeey.

 

She narrated from Abul-Qaasim Bin Rawaahah and we have permission to narrate from her.’  (page 862)

 

532. ‘Faatimah Bint Hussain Bin ‘Abdillah Bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan Al-Aamadee, the caller to prayer, Umm Muhammad. And her mother was Khadeejah Bint Az-Zain Ahmed Bin ‘Abdi-Daaim, and she was the wife of the ascetic Shaykh ‘Alee Al-Mulaqin.  

 

A righteous woman, a worshipper, she was afflicted with a chronic illness. She narrated Saheeh-ul-Bukhaaree from Ibn-uz-Zabaidee, and she narrated from Al-Fakhr Al-Irbilee and other than him. She died in Muharram. I heard from her.’ (Pp.878-9)

 

617. ‘Khadeejah Bint At-Taqee Muhammad Bin Mahmood Bin ‘Abdil-Mun’im Al-Maraatibee Al-Hanbalee, Umm Muhammad.

 

A righteous old woman, a worshipper, generous, frequent in recitation, from the best of the women of Ad-Dayr. She narrated from Ibn-uz-Zabaidee and Al-Irbilee. And she was the daughter of the ascetic Habeebah Bint Shaykh Abee ‘Umar.  We heard from her.

And she died on the 29th of Jumadaa Al-Ulaa in the (first) ten days of (being) eighty.’   (Pp.906-7)

 

618. ‘Khadeejah Bint Yusuf Bin Ghaneemah Bin Hussain, the virtuous female scholar, Amatul-‘Azeez Al-Baghdaadeeyah, then Ad-Dimishqeeyah. She was known as Bint-ul-Qayyim.

 

Her father was the custodian (Qayyim) of the public bath. And he wanted (a lot) for her when he saw her excellence. And he made her hear a lot, and he taught her writing, the Qur’an, admonishing and other than that. And she used to admonish the women, then she left that and stayed in her house. And she was the wife of Al-Haaj Mahmood Adh-Dhahabee.

She was born in the year 628. She heard from Mukrim, Ibn-ush-Sheeraazee, Ibn-ul-Lattee, Ibn-ul-Muqayr and Kareemah. And in Egypt from ‘Alee Bin Mukhtaar Al-‘Aamiree and Abul-Hasan Ibn-ul-Jumayzee. And she narrated in Damascus, Al-‘Olaa and Tabook. And she recited the Qur’an (with tajweed) to Al-Walee, Ibn-ush-Shawwaa, Ar-Radee At-Toonasee and An-Najjaar, however, her authority (in it) was not strengthened. She read two introductions or more on the Arabic language and she learned to use grammatical inflections with the grammarians.  Al-Birzaalee, may Allah preserve him, recited for us to her Maqaamaat-ul-Hareeree, and she alone narrated it in Damascus.

She died in the beginning of Sha’baan.’ (page 907)

 

623. ‘Zainab Bint ‘Umar Bin Kindee Bin Sa’eed Bin ‘Alee, Umm Muhammad Bint-ul-Haaj Zakee-ud-Deen Ad-Dimishqee, the wife of Naasir-ud-Deen Ibn Qarqeen, the commissar of the Ba’labek citadel.

 

A righteous woman, generous, who possessed piety and (gave) charity. She built a hospice for the poor and she bequeathed religious endowments. She lived in goodness and blessing, she made Hajj, she narrated a lot and she was without parallel in the time (that she lived in). Al-Muayid  At-Toosee, Abu Rooh Al-Harawee, Zainab Ash-Sha’reeyah, Al-Qaasim Ibn-us-Saaffaar, Abul-Baqaa Al-Uqbaree, ‘Abdul-‘Adheem Bin ‘Abdul-Lateef Ash-Sharaabee and Ahmed Bin Zafar Bin Hubairah  gave her permission to narrate. She narrated in Damascus and Ba’labek. She died on the 29th of Jumadaa Al-Aakhirah at the Ba’labek citadel at around ninety years old.

Abul-Hussain Al-Yooneenee and his children and relatives, Ibn Abil-Fath and his two sons, Al-Mizzee and his elder son, Al-Birzaalee, Ibn-un-Naabulusee, Abu Bakr Ar-Rahbee, Ibn-ul-Muhandis, Ahmed Ibn-ud-Duraybee, my father, my maternal uncle and a group from the people of Ba’labek heard from her.

Ibn Saamah read to her Saheeh Muslim and I read to her from the beginning of the Saheeh (of Al-Bukhaaree) to the beginning of (the book of) Al-Nikaah. And I heard the rest of the book from Ibn ‘Asaakir. And I heard a number of volumes from her, may Allah have mercy on her.’ (page 908)

 

640. ‘Safeeyah Bint ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Bin ‘Amr Al-Farraa, the sister of our Sheikh ‘Izz-ud-Deen.

 

We heard a volume from both of them. They both narrated from Ash-Shaykh-ul-Muwwafaq, and there was goodness and righteousness in her. She was a midwife in the mountain (of Al-Qaasiyoon), and she died in the mountain, as a martyr because of cold and hunger, when the people of the mountain entered the city, at the age of 78 years. Her hearing (of narrations) is at the fifth level.

Ismaa’eel and Safeeyah informed us saying: Ibn Qudaamah informed us saying: Abul-Fath Muhammad informed us saying: Rizqullah informed us saying: Ibn Bishraan informed us saying: Ibn-ul-Bakhtaree informed us saying: Yahyah Ibn Abee Taalib narrated to us saying: ‘Abdul-Wahhaab informed us saying: Talha Bin ‘Amr informed us from Ibn Taawoos that his father (Taawoos) used to fast after (‘Eed) Al-Fitr for six days and he would say:

‘They equal the fasting for a year, thirty (days) for ten months and six days for two months.’.’ [2]  (page 913)

 

729. ‘Maryam Bint Ahmed Bin Haatim Bin ‘Alee.

 

A religious woman, righteous, afflicted with (bodily) pains, patient and expectant of reward. She narrated from Al-Irbilee and she was present with Al-Bahaa ‘Abdur-Rahmaan.  I heard a volume from her’.  page 938)

 

774. ‘Khadeejah Bint Al-Qadee Kamaal-ud-Deen Ishaaq Bin Khaleel Bin Faaris Ash-Shaybaanee Ash-Shaafi’ee.

 

She narrated to us, with permission to narrate, from Ibn Sabbaah, Ibn-ul-Lattee, Ibn Baasooyah, Al-Irbilee and a group.

She died in Adthra’aat with her brother Al-Qaadee Muhiy-ud-Deen in Muharraam’. (page 950)

 

779. ‘Zainab, Umm-ul-Khair, the daughter of the judge of judges Muhiy-ud-Deen Bin Muhammad Ibn-uz-Zakkee Al-Qurashee Ad-Dimishqee Ash-Shaafi’ee, the wife of An-Nidhaam Ibn ‘Abdullah Ibn-ul-Baanyaasee. 

 

She narrated to us, from Abul-Hasan Bin Al-Muqair, ‘Alee Bin Hajjaaj Al-Batlahee, Abul-Qaasim Bin Rawaahaa and Futooh Bin Nooh Al-Khuwayee. She also heard from Muhiy-ud-Deen Ibn-Al-‘Arabee, the author of compositions.

We – myself, Al-Birzaalee, Al-Muqaatalee, Ibn-un-Naabulusee and a group,  heard from her in the garden of her children at Birkat-ul-Himyeereen.   

She died in the garden on the 9th of Sha’baan and she was buried at the mountain (of Al-Qaasiyoon).’ (page 952)

 

786. ‘’Aaishah Bint-ul-Qaadee Ishaaq Bin Khaleel Ash-Shaybaanee, Umm ‘Easa, sister of the aforementioned Khadeejah. 

 

She narrated to us, with permission to narrate, along with her sister, from Ibn-ul-Lattee, Ibn Sabbaah and a group.

She died in Damascus and was buried alongside her father at Qaasiyoon.’ (Pp. 953-4)

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[1] Translators note: Daar-ul-Garb-ul-Islaamee, Beirut, 1^st Edition, 1424/2003 with the checking and commentary of Dr. Bashaar ‘Awaad Ma’roof

[2] Translator’s note:  Dr. Bashaar ‘Awaad Ma’roof says: ‘Its chain of narration is extremely weak (da’eef jidn), Talha Bin ‘Amr Al-Makee is abandoned (matrook). And ‘Abdur-Razzaaq reported it (7920) from Zam’ah Bin Saalih Al-Janadee from Ibn Taawoos from his father from the Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wa sallam) in mursal form. And Zam’ah is weak.’ (Footnote No.2, page 913)

 

Taken from the words of Adh-Dhahabee himself, from his famous work Taareekh-ul-Islaam Wa Wafayaat-ul-Mashaheer Wal-A’laam (The history of Islam and the decease of the famous people and eminent personalities) [1] Vol.15, Pp. 503-954

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