The Obligation

According to a hadeeth, it is binding and an obligation for men as well as for women to acquaint themselves with knowledge:

‘To seek sacred knowledge is an obligation on every Muslim’ [Ibn Majah]

This hadeeth refers to the acquisition of religious Knowledge. It is incumbent (fard ‘ayn’) upon every Muslim to seek as much knowledge as will allow him to fulfil his religious obligations.

There could be no one better to emulate in implementing religion than the Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم

Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of Allah. [Al-Qur’an, 33/21]

So take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you. And fear Allah; for Allah is strict in Punishment. [Al-Qur’an, 59/7]


The Virtue

Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم is reported to have said:

‘May Allah make radiant (the face of) one who heard what I said, learnt it by heart, and transmitted it as he heard it.’ [Tirmidhi]

‘A Muslim cannot offer his brother a better benefit than transmitting to him a good hadeeth which has reached him.’ [Jâmi’-ul-Bayân of Ibn ‘Abdul Barr]

‘Those present should convey (my Sunnah) to those absent. [Bukhari]


The Meanings and Messages of the Qur’an

We learn the teachings, meanings and messages of the Qur’an through the words, actions and teachings of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. 

  
Excerpt from 'The Hadeeth: The Explanation of the Qur'an'

Visualise the lives of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and the Sahabah رضى الله عنهم before you

Excerpt from 'Lesson 146 - Hadeeth 584-585'

Excerpt from 'Lesson 112 - Hadeeth 509'


Proving our Love

The Ulema of the past proved their claim of loving Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم through their sacrifice to learn his words. If we loved Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم  we would also make sacrifice and travel, just as they did.

Excerpt from 'Sacrifice of the Salaf for Knowledge '

Protection

Excerpt from 'Sacrifice of the Salaf for Knowledge '

Understanding differences in the Ummah

You will learn the validity of the differences amongst the Ulema and how they came about and how these differences of opinion are reconciled. The Shaykh provides the rulings according to the 4 Madahib (schools of Fiqh) and prominent Mujtahids. Insha-Allah any bigotry, especially related to the following of any particular madhab, will be removed through the lessons.

Excerpt from 'Lesson 177 – Hadeeth 672-674 '


The Dangers of Self Study

As proved in the question ‘Can’t I just pick up a translation of Saheeh al Bukhari and take my Deen from there?’, self study related to the ahadeeth is dangerous. Avail yourself of the opportunity to learn the ahadeeth in the traditional manner and the beauty and power of the words of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم will become manifest. The Shaykh also demonstrates the importance of learning and studying religion under a qualified scholar who has a chain of narration stretching back to the Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم.


Other Reasons

- Because Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq will be teaching, who is highly respected and a devotee of the ahadeeth who has been teaching Saheeh al Bukhari to Madrassah students for years

- Almost each week we learn a sunnah of Rasulullah صلي الله عليه وسلم.

- It motivates us to become better people and to divert our attention more to our religion.

- We learn about our great history and the great personalities of Islam.

- Of all the Shaykhs lectures, he recommends that if you want to learn something, listen to these lessons

 
 Excerpt from 'Lesson 195 Hadeeth 738-741'

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

The lineage and family tree of Imam Bukhari

Excerpt from 'Lesson 1'

His search for knowledge & his learning

 
Excerpt from 'Lesson 1'

Excerpt from 'Sacrifice of the Salaf for Knowledge'

The reverence of the Ulema for Imam Bukhari

Excerpt from 'Lesson 1'

His Piety and his Position before Allah

Excerpt from 'Lesson 1'

His Taqwa in Dealing with Others

Excerpt from 'Lesson 1'

The persecution of Imam Bukhari and his Death

Excerpt from 'Lesson 1'

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

When was Imam Bukhari first inspired to write Saheeh al Bukhari and what were the objectives?

Excerpt from 'Lesson 2

Excerpt from 'Lesson 2'

Is that which is excluded from Saheeh al Bukhari unauthentic?

This question as well as the following are addressed in these clips:
- How many ahadeeth are there in Saheeh al Bukhari?
- The importance of the chapter headings.
- Saheeh al Bukhari is divided into books.
- Understanding the statement ‘The Most Authentic Book after the book of Allah.’

Excerpt from 'Lesson 2'


The seriousness Imam Bukhari attached to every hadeeth he included.

In addition to answering this question, the following clip also mentions why the same hadeeth is often repeated in Saheeh al Bukhari:

Excerpt from 'Lesson 2'


The importance of the chapter headings

Excerpt from 'Lesson 2'

Excerpt from 'Lesson 2'


Imam Bukhari tries to avoid writing anything himself in the chapter headings

Excerpt from 'Lesson 3 Hadeeth 1''


Imam Bukhari will point out the ahadeeth used by certain groups of scholars to prove their position on any given masala even though he may disagree with it. In addition, some chapter headings have been abridged

Excerpt from 'Lesson 43 Hadeeth 138-143''

Excerpt from 'Lesson 43 Hadeeth 138-143''

 
Imam Bukhari might refer to another hadeeth which is not included in his Saheeh in the chapter headings

Excerpt from 'Lesson 53 Hadeeth 213-215'

Sub chapter headings

Excerpt from 'Lesson 45 Hadeeth 152-160''

The fiqh of Bukhari
The position of Imam Bukhari may at times be contrary to the consensus of the ummah

Excerpt from 'Lesson 43 Hadeeth 138-143'

Excerpt from 'Lesson 44 Hadeeth 144-151

Excerpt from 'Lesson 197 Hadeeth 744-746'

- Lesson 053_Hadeeth 213-215 - 16-04-02 - 42.30-53.44


The abridgement of Saheeh al Bukhari entitled ‘al Tajrid al Sarih’

Excerpt from 'Lesson 2'

How did Imam Zabidi abridge Saheeh al Bukhari?

Excerpt from 'Lesson 2'

Excerpt from 'Lesson 173 Hadeeth 659-661'

Excerpt from 'Lesson 100 Hadeeth 446-449'


Has Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq endorsed any of the translations of Saheen al Bukhari available?

Excerpt from 'Lesson 122 Hadeeth 528-530'

Excerpt from 'Lesson 127 Hadeeth 543-545'

Mistakes have been made by the contemporary editors:

Excerpt from -'Lessen 123 Hadeeth 531-531 ' 

Excerpt from -'Lessen 101 Hadeeth 450-457 '


Miscellaneous Notes:
Imam Bukhari will often use a hadeeth at the start of a book that will indicate the beginning of that practice or law.

Excerpt from -'Lessen 83 Hadeeth 370-372 '

Why do the Ulema differ on how many ahadeeth there are in Bukhari? 

Excerpt from 'Lesson 199 Hadeth 752-753'

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

Excerpt from 'Lesson 112 Hadeeth 509'

Excerpt from 'Lesson 112 Hadeeth 509'

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

Excerpt from 'Lesson 3 Hadeeth 1' 

Excerpt from 'Lesson 123 Hadeeth 531' 

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

There can be no other branch of knowledge superior in reward and in benefit than the knowledge of Allah as stated in the following hadeeth:

Verily the world is accursed and accursed is what it contains, except the remembrance of Allah, that which Allah loves, and someone with sacred knowledge or someone learning it. [Tirmidhi]

Below a few points have been listed to assist those unable to attend the lessons but listen to the live stream on the internet. We have refrained from going into the reasons and references for the sake of brevity.

- Please go through the questions and answers we have in this section. This will familiarise you with much of what you need to know in order to engage in this study more. The question ‘What iimportant things do I need to know about Saheeh al Bukhari & its abridgement?’ should be of much benefit.

- Sit respectfully facing the Qiblah. Act as though you were before the teacher yourself. Ideally the men should try to sit in state of tashahud.

- Get your friends and family to listen and study together sitting on the floor. This will add to your concentration and make it more difficult for you to be distracted. Plus you will get the reward of inviting others to good. It goes without saying that shariah regulations should be observed with such gatherings.

- Take notes:

Excerpt from 'Lesson 117 - Hadeeth 521'


Excerpt from 'Lesson 33 - Hadeeth 93-95'


Excerpt from 'Lesson 172 - Hadeeth 656-658'

- Have a copy of the book before you (placed respectfully on a stand) and follow the hadeeth as it is being translated.

- Listen silently and attentively. There should be no whispering, fidgeting, looking around, playing with the beard etc because all these actions reflect a lack of concentration and interest in the noble words of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم.

- There should not be no eating, chewing gum and drinking during the lesson unless there is an exceptional circumstance such as medical reasons  etc.

- If you are listening online with a group of friends then sit closely together.

- Listen whilst purified, in wudhu, wearing clean clothes. Modest clothing should be worn and all tight clothing avoided: 

 Excerpt from 'Lesson 33 - Hadeeth 93-95'

- Spend time after the lesson reflecting over the lesson, going through your notes and deciding how you will implement that which you have just heard in your life.

- Show your gratitude for these lessons by:
1) Implementing what you have learnt and informing other of it.
2) Inviting others to either attend or listen in to the lessons.
3) Leave positive feedback if you are using Paltalk messenger via instant messaging including details of where you are listening from. If you listen via the leave feedback via email. We forward such comments or emails to the Shaykh and thereby brothers or sisters who leave such feedback gain the du'as of the Shaykh.
4) Helping the Al Kawthar Academy - see our Appeals page.
5) Subscribe to the podcast if you are able to do so. The subscription cost will help contribute towards many of the overheads associated with holding the weekly lessons including charges associated with the live streaming. 

In addition to this any student of knowledge should make an extensive study of the etiquettes of seeking knowledge. The following lectures by Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq can be referred to for more in-depth information: 

- Ilm: A Forgotten Obligation
- The Importance of Seeking Knowledge
- Journeying and Sacrifice for Ilm
- Lessons 24-36 of Saheeh al Bukhari which form ‘The Book of Knowledge’
- The True Servants of Rahman سبحانه وتعالى
- The Legacy of Abdullah bin Mas'ud رضى الله عنه
- The Need to Avoid Opinion on the Qur'an
- Sincerity of Intention

The following books (available in English) should also be beneficial:

- Etiquette with the Qur’an – Imam al-Nawawi
- Manners in Islam – Imam Bukhari
- Instruction of the Student: The Method of Learning – Imam Al-Zarnuji
- The Beginning of Guidance – Imam al Ghazali

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

In order to answer this question, we will list just 20 out of hundreds of possible examples from the lectures of Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq where the Shaykh proves that the understanding and application of ahadeeth is not as easy as some assume. We have only selected examples from the Saheeh al Bukhari lessons rather than other lectures of the Shaykh.

Introduction

Excerpt from 'Lesson 112 Hadeeth 509'

Example 1: The fear of people misunderstanding

Excerpt from 'Lesson 036 Hadeeth 103-105'

The dangers of self study

 Excerpt from 'Lesson 036 Hadeeth 103-105'

Example 2: The knowledge of Deen was passed from heart to heart

Excerpt from 'Lesson 5 Hadeeth 4-7'

Example 3: The superiority of fiqh

Excerpt from 'Lesson 26 Hadeeth 61-64'

Example 4: The science of the critique of hadeeth

Excerpt from 'Lessom 39 Hadeeth 116-120'

Example 5: Hadeeth that are abrogated.

Excerpt from 'Lesson 43 Hadeeth 138-143'

Example 6: Men and women doing wudhu together?

Excerpt from 'Lesson 44 Hadeeth 144-151'

Example 7: Arabic words need to be understood in the manner that the Sahabah رضى الله عنهم understood them.

Excerpt from 'Lesson 45 Hadeeth 152-160'

Example 8: If someone wants to follow Bukhari then he has to follow Bukhari in everything

Excerpt from 'Lesson 53 Hadeeth 213-215'

Example 9: A hadeeth that is not acted upon by any of the Ulema

Excerpt from 'Lesson 82 Hadeeth 365-369'

Example 10: The differences amongst the Mujtahid Imams are natural and these difference arises from the Qur’an and Sunnah

Excerpt from 'Lesson 83 Hadeeth 370-372'

Example 11: The schools of fiqh cannot be accused of opposing the ahadeeth

Excerpt from 'Lesson 96 Hadeeth 423-425'

Example 12: Often there is more then one sunnah

Excerpt from 'Lesson 100 Hadeeth 446-449'

Example 13: One can make a hasty judgement on a hadeeth without knowing the other narrations on the subject or the background and commentaries of the scholars on it

Excerpt from 'Lesson 101 Hadeeth 450-457'

Example 14: There is not a text for everything in Islam; some practices have been passed down

Excerpt from 'Lesson 123 Hadeeth 531'

The state of publishing houses in the Muslim world

Excerpt from 'Lesson 123 Hadeeth 531'

Example 15: Reasons for not acting on any one given hadeeth & dangers of self study of ahadeeth

Excerpt from 'Lesson 127 Hadeeth 543-545'

One needs to be versed in Deen before one can translate ahadeeth and understand them. Also, there are mistakes in hadeeth translations.

Excerpt from 'Lesson 127 Hadeeth 543-545'

Example 16: Not every hadeeth is acted upon

Excerpt from 'Lesson 146 Hadeeth 584-585'

Example 17: A hadeeth should be placed in context and cross referenced

 
Excerpt from 'Lesson 147 Hadeeth 586-589'

Example 18: Dangers of a literal reading of a hadeeth

Excerpt from 'Lesson 157 Hadeeth 620-622' where the Shaykh explains the meaning of ‘saddles should not be tied’ as mentioned in the hadeeth.

Example 19: Without fiqh one will come up with comletely unrecoginsed practices

Excerpt from 'Lesson 170 Hadeeth 648-651'

Example 20: Each hadeeth should be understood in context and cross-referenced

Excerpt from 'Lesson 177 Hadeeth 672-674'

Conclusion

Excerpt from 'Lesson 192 Hadeeth 729-731'

Excerpt from 'Lesson 192 Hadeeth 729-731'

Excerpt from 'Lesson 199 Hadeeth 752-753'

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

There can be no other branch of knowledge superior in reward and in benefit than the knowledge of Allah as stated in the following hadeeth:

Verily the world is accursed and accursed is what it contains, except the remembrance of Allah, that which Allah loves, and someone with sacred knowledge or someone learning it. [Tirmidhi]

Below a few points have been listed to assist those attending the lesson. We have refrained from going into the reasons and references for the sake of brevity.

- Please go through the questions and answers we have in this section. This will familiarise you with much of what you need to know in order to engage in this study more. The question ‘What important things do I need to know about Saheeh al Bukhari & its abridgement?’ should be of much benefit.

- Come early, attend regularly and punctually.

- Bring others with you in order to gain the reward of inviting others towards good.

- Take notes:

 
  Excerpt from 'Lesson 117 - Hadeeth 521'

 
  Excerpt from 'Lesson 33 - Hadeeth 93-95'

 
  Excerpt from 'Lesson 172 - Hadeeth 656-658'

- Have a copy of the book before you (placed respectfully on a stand) and follow the hadeeth as it is being translated.

- Listen silently and attentively. There should be no whispering, fidgeting, looking around, playing with the beard because all these action reflect a lack of concentration and interest.

- The teacher needs to see a positive response from the students. Yawning, showing frustration etc will put the teacher off. Students should show eagerness and not be passive. Learning just does not mean that you listen.

- There should not be no eating, chewing gum and drinking during the lesson unless there is an exceptional circumstance such as medical reasons etc. In such circumstances, this should be consumed discreetly.

- Sit close together and respectfully and do not sit resting against the walls. Ideally the men should try to sit in state of tashahud.

Excerpt from 'Lesson 111 Hadeeth 502-508'

- Come purified, in wudhu, wearing clean clothes. Modest clothing should be worn and all tight clothing avoided:
 

  Excerpt from 'Lesson 33 - Hadeeth 93-95'

- Parents who bring their children along should ensure that they do not disturb others by making noise and running around. Children should be supervised at all times.

- In order to gain more from lessons, win the du'as of the teacher.

 
  Excerpt from 'Lesson 34 - Hadeeth 96-101'

- Please do not burden the Shaykh after the lesson with questions or requests for advice since a time and method has been setup for this please see our Contact Us page.

- Once the lesson is over, one should contemplate over what has just been taught and maintain composure in the presence of the teacher.

- Show your gratitude for these lessons by:
1) Implementing what you have learnt and informing others of it (passing on the message).
2) Inviting others to attend the lessons.
3) Helping the Al Kawthar Academy - see our Appeals page.

In addition to this any student of knowledge should make an extensive study of the etiquettes of seeking knowledge. The following lectures by Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq can be referred to for more in-depth information:

- Ilm: A Forgotten Obligation
- The Importance of Seeking Knowledge
- Journeying & Sacrifice for Ilm
- The Etiquettes of Seeking Knowledge
- Lessons 24-36 of Saheeh al Bukhari which form ‘The Book of Knowledge’
- The True Servants of Rahman سبحانه وتعالى
- The Legacy of Abdullah bin Mas'ud رضى الله عنه
- The Need to Avoid Opinion on the Qur'an
- Sincerity of Intention

The following books (available in English) should also be beneficial:

- Etiquette with the Qur’an – Imam al-Nawawi
- Manners in Islam – Imam Bukhari
- Instruction of the Student: The Method of Learning – Imam Al-Zarnuji
- The Beginning of Guidance – Imam al Ghazali

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

Excerpt from 'Spirituality in a Material World'

Excerpt from 'Lesson 150 Hadeeth 594-596

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

Excerpt from 'Lesson 37 Hadeeth 106-109'

Excerpt from  'Lesson 52 Hadeeth 208-212'

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

'Excerpt from Lesson 172 Hadeeth 656-658'

'Excerpt from Lesson 172 Hadeeth 656-658'

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

Excerpt from 'Aqeedah at Tahawiyyah Part 1'

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

Excerpt from 'Lesson 172 Hadeeth 656-658'

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

Excerpt from 'Lesson 207 Hadeeth 769'

Note – Any audio clips provided are by no means meant to be an exhaustive answer; these have simply been extracted from lectures where the question or issue may have been addressed briefly. Please refer to the original lectures in full to gain a greater understanding of the matter or contact us to see if the matter has been dealt with in more detail in another lecture.

Please note that by providing these links it does not equate to endorsement of these websites. The Al Kawthar Academy cannot be held accountable for content found on these websites.

http://bukhariblog.blogspot.com/
The sites own description: 'This blog is dedicated to the study of al Tajrid al Sarih, the Abridged Saheeh al-Bukhari which is taught each Friday by Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq in Leicester, UK.'

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/
This is a translation of Saheeh al-Bukhari by M. Musin Khan. Please note we cannot endorse any translation unless we have been through it fully. Please use the translation supplied in the lessons.

http://www.sunnipath.com/library/Hadith/H0002P0000.aspx
This is a alternative translation by Ustadha Aisha Bewley.

http://hadith.al-islam.com/Display/Hier.asp?Doc=0&n=0
Arabic text of Saheeh al-Bukhari with the famous commentary Fath al-Bari by Imam ibn Hajr Asqalani.