The Rawda Library

In this comprehensive yet concise biography, we explore the life history, noble character, contributions, and enduring legacy of Imam Abu Hanifah, one of the most influential figures in Islamic jurisprudence and the pioneer of the Hanafi School of Thought (Madhhab). Biography & Profile Summary Imam Abu Hanifah, whose full name was Nu'man bin Thabit bin Zuta bin Mah al-Taymi al-Kufi (also narrated as al-Nu'man bin Thabit bin al-Nu'man bin al-Marzuban), was born in Kufah, Iraq, in 80 AH (September 5, 699 CE) during the reign of 'Abd al-Malik bin Marwan, the fifth caliph of the Umayyad Dynasty. He holds a unique place among the founders of the Four Sunni Schools of Law as the only one of Persian lineage rather than Arab descent. He passed away in 150 AH (767 CE) in Baghdad, Iraq, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy as the founder of the Hanafi School of Jurisprudence (Mazhab Hanafi).   Personal Traits & Noble Character Imam Abu Hanifah was renowned not only for ...

Understanding the legal rulings surrounding menstruation (hayd) is an essential part of everyday Islamic life. Islam approaches womanhood with profound wisdom, balance, and compassion. While certain rituals are temporarily put on pause during your period, this time is by no means a pause on your spiritual journey or your connection with the Divine. Let us break down what the religious texts actually say about what is restricted during this time, alongside the beautiful ways you can continue to stay spiritually active. Understanding the Restricted Acts and Their Evidences Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) outlines a few specific acts of worship that a woman abstains from during her menstrual cycle. It is important to remember that refraining from these acts out of obedience to Allah SWT is, in itself, an act of devotion. 1. Performing Daily Prayers (Salah) During your period, you are completely excused from performing both obligatory and voluntary prayers. Allah has removed this requirement ...

Waking up after dawn (Fajr) in a state of major ritual impurity (janābah) is a common source of concern for Muslims during Ramadan and voluntary fasting days. Many wonder whether entering the morning without having taken the obligatory ritual bath (ghusl) invalidates the fast. The Legal Ruling (Fiqh) In Islamic jurisprudence, a fast remains completely valid even if a person enters dawn (Fajr) in a state of junub (major ritual impurity resulting from marital intimacy or wet dreams). While ghusl (the ritual bath) is a essential condition for performing daily prayers (ṣalāt), it is not a condition for the validity of the fast (ṣawm) itself. A fasting person must, however, perform ghusl promptly in order to pray the Dawn Prayer (Ṣalāt al-Ṣubḥ) before its time expires. Proofs from Arabic Primary Sources The consensus of Islamic scholars is supported by clear evidence from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). 1. General Fiqh Principle يَصِحُّ الصَّوْمُ مِمَّنْ أَصْبَحَ جُنُبًا Academic Tr...

Istikharah prayer is one of the recommended (sunnah) acts of worship for every Muslim when faced with a choice, such as selecting a life partner for someone seeking marriage, choosing a university for a student, and so on. The hope is that by performing the istikharah prayer, a person will receive guidance from Allah to be granted the best decision. Evidence (Dalil) for Istikharah Prayer The basis for the recommendation of the istikharah prayer, as cited by Imam an-Nawawi in Al-Adzkar, is a narration from Imam al-Bukhari. Jabir bin Abdillah said: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُعَلِّمُنَا الاسْتِخَارَةَ فِي الأُمُورِ كُلِّهَا كَمَا يُعَلِّمُنَا السُّورَةَ مِنْ الْقُرْآنِ يَقُولُ إذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِالأَمْرِ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الْفَرِيضَةِ Meaning, "The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) used to teach us (the companions) to perform istikharah prayer in all matters, just as he taught us a surah from the Quran. He said, 'If any one of you intends to under...

"Bahibbak Wa Baridak" (بحبك وبريدك) is a widely cherished Egyptian Sufi devotional song (nasheed) expressing deep love, reverence, and spiritual attachment to the Prophet Muhammad.    بَحَبَّكْ وَبَرِيدَكْ وَأَتَمَنَّى أَبُوسْ إِيدَكْ خَدَّامَكْ وَمَرِيدَكْ يَا جَدَّ الْحَسَنَيْنْ Baḥibbak wa-barīdak wa-atamannā abūs īdak Khuddāmak wa-murīdak yā jadd al-Ḥasanayn I love you and I desire you, and I wish to kiss your hand, Your servant and your seeker, O grandfather of Hassan and Hussain. حَبِيبِي مُحَمَّدْ مَفِيشْ زَيُّهْ اِتْنَيْنْ حُبُّهْ سَاكِنْ قَلْبِي يَزِيدْ كُلَّ اِتْنَيْنْ Ḥabībī Muḥammad mafīsh zayyuh itnīn Ḥubbuh sākin qalbī yazīd kull itnīn My beloved Muhammad, there is none like him—no second to him, His love dwells in my heart and grows stronger every day. جَمَالُهْ وَدَلاَلُهْ مُتَغَطِّي بِجَلاَلُهْ وِدِّي أَقْعُدْ قُبَالُهْ تَشُوفْهُمْ الاِتْنَيْنْ Jamāluh wa-dalāluh mutaghaṭṭī bi-jalāluh Widdī aqʻud qubāluh tshūfhum al-itnīn His beauty and grace are veiled in hi...

The Sunnah Repentance Prayer is performed after a person commits a sin, wrongdoing, or violation of religious laws, or feels that they have sinned against Allah ﷻ. They then feel remorse for the action and desire to return to the path of Allah (repentance). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Whoever has committed a sinful act should hasten to perform ablution (wudu'), then establish prayer and seek forgiveness from Allah. Allah will surely accept their plea. “Those who have committed a sinful act or wronged themselves, then immediately remember Allah by seeking forgiveness for the sin committed. Who else forgives all sins except Allah? Then they feel remorseful, realize their mistake, and will not repeat the act again; they will be granted rewards and the entry to Paradise beneath which rivers flow, and there they will remain forever.” (Narrated by Abu Daud, Nasa’i, Ibnu Majah, and Baihaqi.) The Repentance Prayer can be performed in two, four, or six raka'at at any desired time...