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During a Naseehah session on Zaynabacademyonline, Shaykh Mufti Kamaluddin Ahmed replied to a sister's question, "What is a Sunnah we can implement daily?" Shaykh's response was the hadith from Tirmidhi 2678: Narrated Anas bin Malik: "The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) said to me: 'O my son! If you are capable of (waking up in) the morning and (ending) the evening, while there is nothing of deception in your heart for anything, then do so.' Then he said to me: 'O my son! That is from my Sunnah. Whoever revives my Sunnah then he has loved me. And whoever loved me, he shall be with me in Paradise.'" Reply

Islam's unique growth Question What is the meaning of this Hadith: 'Islam began as something strange and will revert to being strange as it began.' Answer This is a Hadith from Sahih Muslim. The Arabic word used in this Hadith: Ghariban can be translated and interpreted in a few ways. 1. The common translation is as you have cited it: strange. This means, that Islam started as something strange; something that people considered as odd. It was unpopular in the society of Makkah. After this Allah Ta'ala spread the winds of guidance and Islam spread far and wide. Thereafter, being a Muslim was not odd anymore. The second part of the Hadith would mean: There would come a time when it will return to this state, i.e, a state of being odd. Those who practice on the ideal Islam will be considered strange and odd. (Al-Mufhim, Hadith: 114, Sharhun Nawawi 'ala Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 370 and Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 1951) 2. After providing the above explanation, 'Allamah Qurtubi (rahimahullah) states: [Since the word Gharib could also mean: a stranger/ traveller] 'It could also be referring to the Muhajirun (early migrators). The Muhajirun were forced to leave their homeland [of Makkah] to protect their religion. [Thus they were travellers who were strangers at first in Madinah]. In this case, the last part of the Hadith would mean that a time will come wherein there would be much trouble on the Muslims once again. This will force them to also leave their homelands once again to preserve their religion as the [earlier] Muhajirun had done.' (Al-Mufhim, Hadith: 114. Also see Sharhun Nawawi 'ala Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 370) 3. Another explanation given by Shaykh 'Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah (rahimahullah) is as follows: [One meaning of the word Ghariban is: unique] In the beginning days, Islam managed to spread in a unique way, i.e, despite all opposition, Allah Ta'ala caused it to prevail. The second part of the Hadith would mean: Islam in the latter eras, will also return to its glory in a strange way; in a way that will be unique and unfathomable. Insha Allah. I heard this from the senior 'Alim of India, Moulana Ibrahim Devla (hafizahullah) who heard this directly from Shaykh 'Abdul Fattah (rahimahullah) during one of his visits to India. In instances like this, there is no harm in understanding the Hadith to be referring all of the above meanings, it their own right. This is common in non legislative texts of Shari'ah. (refer: Muqaddimahtut Tafsir of Ibn Taymiyah (rahimahullah), pg. 4) And Allah Ta'ala Knows best, Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar hadithanswers.com

THE ENORMOUS STATURE OF THE EARLIER HADITH MASTERS Question If a Hadith in Tirmidhi has been declared hasan sahih by Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) but declared weak by contemporary ‘Ulama after scrutinising the chain. Which ruling would be given preference to? Answer In general, the view of the earlier Hadith masters holds more weight than the latter ones. It’s a grave mistake of several contemporaries, that they belittle and undermine the views of the earlier scholars. Be that in any field. This needs no substantiation, but to further prove this serious mistake of many in our era, and with the intention of their reformation, I have quoted the following: 1. ‘Allamah Sakhawi has quoted Hafiz ‘Alaiy (rahimahumallah) to have said: ‘The earlier (mutaqaddimun) Hadith masters were divinely blessed by Allah Ta’ala with in-depth knowledge of Hadith, and exemplary memorisation of the same. Like the following Imams: Shu’bah, Yahya Al-Qattan, Ibn Mahdi and their like. Followed by their students, like Ahmad Ibn Hambal, Ibnul Madini, Ibn Ma’in, Ibn Rahuyah and others in that bracket. Followed by their students, who are the likes of: Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasai up to the era of Daraqutni and Bayhaqi (rahimahumullah). None after them are equal or even near to them.’ (Fathul Mughith, vol. 2 pg. 102.) 2. ‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) writes: ‘Be fair, and do not look at these Masters (the earlier ones) lightly, or even belittle them. Don’t think that they are like the Muhaddithun of our times (‘Allamah Dhahabi lived in the the 8th century). Never! Actually there is none among the senior Hadith Masters of our era who can match those (earlier) Masters in their knowledge… It’s not just about me and you..!’ (Tadhkiratul Huffaz, pg. 627-628) 3. He writes in another place: ‘I have certainty on the fact that the latter day scholars (muta-akhirun) have no hope of reaching [the level of the] earlier scholars (mutaqaddimun).’ (Tadhkiratul Huffaz, pg. 948. Also see Atharul Hadith, pg. 69) 4. Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) states: ‘One’s self is more inclined towards the views of the earlier Masters (mutaqaddimun). (Lisanul Mizan, no. 2859. Also see Ma’alim Irshadiyyah) See similar sentiments of Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) in Talkhisul Habir, vol. 2 pg. 131. 5. Mulla ‘Ali Qari (rahimahullah) says: ‘There is no comparison between the earlier (mutaqaddimun) scholars and the latter (muta-akhiru) scholars. Not in knowledge, or in practice, intellect, virtue, research and in-depth study.’ (Mirqat; See footnotes on Ar-Raf’u wat takmil, pg. 45) The above quotes are sufficient to open the eyes of any sincere person. One should be wary of disrespecting our seniors. Lastly, it should be noted that difference among these seniors, among themselves is tolerated and is in fact common place. Therefore at times, one may find a latter day Muhaddith preferring one of these conflicting views over another. And Allah Ta’ala Knows best, Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar (source: Hadith Answers)