The history of Islam holds profound significance for Muslims. A proper examination of the life of the Prophet ﷺ and the Ṣaḥabah رضي الله عنهم helps a Muslim truly understand the profound wisdom of the Sharia and obtain the required guidance to achieve salvation in this temporal world and the eternal hereafter. Allah ﷻ states:

لقد كان لكم في رسول الله أسوة حسنة لمن كان يرجو الله واليوم الآخر وذكر الله كثيرا (الأحزاب: ٢١)

"Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often." (Quran 33:21)

Therefore, analyzing and implementing the Prophet’s ﷺ lifestyle and characteristic is not only imperative for every Muslim, but also the path towards excellence in the worship of Allah ﷻ.

It is through the comprehensive study of the Islamic historical developments that the truth is illuminated, and misinformation is dispelled. Familiarizing oneself with the legacy of the Prophet ﷺ, Ṣaḥabah رضي الله عنهم, Tabiʿūn رحمهم الله, and the great victories of the Islamic world reinforces one’s Islamic identity. It also highlights the struggles and challenges they endured to protect and preserve the Sharia in the face of adversity.

Ultimately, Islamic history cultivates within a Muslim the love of the Prophet ﷺ, Ṣaḥabah رضي الله عنهم, Tabiʿūn رحمهم الله, and the pious predecessors. it also provides a holistic understanding of the religion, allowing a Muslim to comprehend, appreciate, and preserve the values, ideals, morals, and injunctions of Islam. Therefore, it is necessary for every Muslim to study the books of Islamic history.

While there is a great deal of work done in the field of Islamic history, the following books may be referred to as an entry point:

1. The Prophet of Mercy – Shaykh Abul-Hasan Ali Nadwi;
2. Seeratul Mustafa – Maulana Idris Kandehlawi;
3. History of the Caliphs – Imam Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti;and
4. Lost Islamic History – Firas Alkhateeb.

As for the subject of Salafism, one may read Refutation of Those Who Do Not Follow the Four Schools by Imam Ibn Rajab.

The primary sources for all Islamic rulings are the following:

1. Quran;
2. Hadith;
3. Ijmāʿ (consensus of the scholars); and
4. Qiyās (analogy).

All rulings within the Ḥanafī madhhab are based on these sources. An individual learning the injunctions of Sharia through the Ḥanafī madhhab should have unwavering confidence in the validity of these rulings and their sources.

However, the details of these rulings, their sources, and the differences of opinions among scholars require specialized knowledge of the various intricate sciences of Sharia. Therefore, such matters must be entrusted to the scholars and experts in the field. Should any uncertainties or questions arise, one may consult with scholars for guidance and clarity. Similarly, if one is confronted with objections, they should direct such objections to the appropriate scholars for adequate and satisfactory answers.

Ultimately, it is a characteristic of a Muslim to possess a deep thirst for knowledge, continuously striving to further their understanding of the Sharia. This can be achieved through the various outlets of knowledge provided by the esteemed scholars of Islam and by fostering prolonged companionship with them. If one wants to understand proofs for one’s own edification and curiosity, not for debates, one may read Sharḥ Maʿānī al-Āthār: Explanation of the Meanings of the Traditions by Imam Ṭaḥāwī and Fiqh al-Imam: Key Proofs in Hanafi Fiqh by Mufti Abdur Rahman Mangera.

And Allah knows best.

Ml. Yousuf Rashid
Student, Darul Iftaa Chicago

Checked and Approved:

Mf. Abrar Mirza
Head Mufti, Darul Iftaa Chicago