The Key to Paradise by Ibn Rajab Al Hanbali

Plus Appendix - The Types of Hearts by al-Hafiz ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah.
By al-Hafiz Ibn Rajab al-Habali
Paperback , 110 Pages
Daar US-Sunnah Publishers UK

It was said to al-Hasan, 'People say that whoever says, 'None has the right to be worshipped,' shall enter Paradise.' He said, 'Whoever says, 'None has the right to be worshipped save Allah,' and fulfils its obligations and meets its requirements, shall enter Paradise.'

Wahb ibn Munabbih was asked, 'Is not the testification that 'none has the right to be worshipped save Allah' the key to Paradise?' He replied, 'Of course, but every key has its teeth; if you bring a key that has teeth, the door shall open; but if not, it will not.'

The Key to Paradise is the testification of Tawhid. This book highlights the importance of correct belief, a true love for Allah and the state of the heart.
Chapters Include:
The Manner of Entering Paradise
The Meaning of the Testification
Loving Allah
The Sound Heart

Also included is an extremely beneficial appendix - The Types of Hearts by al-Hafiz ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah.

The Excellence of Knowledge By Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali

The Virtue of the Salaf Over the Khalaf
Paperback , 94 Pages
Daar US-Sunnah Classic Collection

The Superiority of the Knowledge of the Predecessors Over the Knowledge of the Successors

This Small treatise brings to light many amazing and intricate points of benefit with regard to knowledge and discerning between which of its types are beneficial and non-beneficial.The Prophet praised some forms of knowledge while condemning others, at times he would ask Allah to grant him beneficial knowledge while at other times he would seek refuge in Him from non-beneficial knowledge.

It is for this reason that the author took on the task of clarifying the various types, characteristics, signs and consequences of both beneficial knowledge and non-beneficial knowledge in this short treatise, as well as affirming the superiority of the knowledge of the predecessors (Salaf) over the knowledge of those who succeeded them (Khalaf).

A Good book with reminders and admonitions to assist and guide any sincere Muslim in his quest for seeking knowledge.

The Three That Follow to the Grave
Dar As-Sunnah Classic Collection
By Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali
Paperback 80 Pages
Publisher : Dar As- Sunnah

About The Book

Abu Hurayrah rahimahullah, reported that Allah's Messenger, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said:

"When a human being dies, all of his deeds are terminated except for three types: an ongoing sadaqah, a knowledge (of Islam) from which others benefit, and a righteous child who makes du'a for him."  -  Muslim and others

Abu Qatadah, rahimahullah, reported that Allah's Messenger, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said:

"The best that a man can leave behind after his death are three things: a righteous child who makes du'a for him, an ongoing sadaqah whose rewards continue to reach him, and a knowledge that continues to be implemented after him."   -  Ibn Majah, and others. Verified to be sahih by Al-Mundhiri and Al-Albani

Abu Qatadah, rahimahullah, reported that Allah's Messenger, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said:

"Among the good deeds that continue to benefit a believer after death are: a knowledge that he taught and disseminated, a righteous child who lived after him, a Qur'an book that he left as inheritance a masjid that he built, a house that he built for the two wayfarers, a stream that he ran, or a charity that he gave from his wealth during his healthy lifetime so that it would reach him (in rewards) after death."   -  Ibn Majah and others. Verified hasan by Al-Mundhiri and Al-Albani

Commenting on this, Al-Mundhiri, rahimahullah, said:

"Some scholars say that the deeds of a human being end with his death. However, since he had caused these things (which are mentioned in the above ahadith), such as the earning of a child, disseminating the knowledge among those who take it from him, compiling a book that remains after him, or establishing a sadaqah, the rewards of these things continue to reach him as long as they continue to exist."  - 'Awn al-Ma'bud, 8:86

The reason that one continues to receive rewards for these deeds even though they are done by other people, is that he had initiated them during his life or contributed to them to a certain degree, whether little or large. Since Allah does not neglect an atom's weight of deeds, He records these contribution for a person even after his death. Abu al-Wafa' ibn 'Aqil said:

"The best explanation for this in my view is that a human being, by his efforts and good conduct, had earned friends, produced children, married.

The Humility in Prayer

By Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali
Published by Daar us Sunnah Publishers

This is a treatise we have written concerning humility (Khushu') and the hearts meekness and breaking (inkisar) before the Lord. The basic meaning of Khushu', is the softness of the heart, its being gentle, still, submissive, broken, and yearning. When the heart is humble, so too is the hearing, seeing, heard, and face; indeed all the limbs and their actions are humbled, even speech. This is why the Prophet (saw) would say in his bowing (ruku), "My hearing, sight, bones, and marrow are humbled to You," another narration has, "and whatever my foot carries." One of the Salaf saw a man fidgeting in his prayer and remarked, 'If the heart of this person was humble, so too would his limbs be.' The source of the Khushu, that takes place in the heart is the gnosis of Allah's greatness, magnificence, and perfection. The more gnosis a person has of Allah, the more Khushu' he has. The greatest action of worship which manifests the Khushu, of the body to Allah is the prayer (Salaah). Allah has praised those who have Khushu' in the prayerouses, done good, and was amiable to the people. Because of this, they invoke mercy for him and do good on his behalf. All of this is then a result of his own earning."  -  Ar-Ruh, Ibn Al-Qayyim, p.171

The Legacy of The Prophet; Translation of Nurul Iqtibas fi Mishkat Wasiyyah Al-Nabi li Ibn 'Abbas

Author: Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali,
Publishers: Daar us Sunnah Publishers


About the book:
The spiritual and worldly life of a Muslim is focussed on Allah. Success in both entails knowing Allah, loving Him, trusting him and worshiping him alone. It requires the Muslim to learn his religion, discipline his soul and refrain his conduct. The Muslim must have firm faith that everything that happens to him in this life is good for him, that his lord would never decree anything that would be detrimental and, as such, he is required to be patient and step fast in the face of adversity and great full at times of ease.
In this treatise, the author, Ibn Rajab sets out to explain the advice the Prophet (s.a.w) imparted to Ibn 'Abbas, "Safe guard Allah and He will safe guard you. Safe Guard Allah and you will find Him in front of you. Know Allah in times of ease and He will know you in times of Hardship. When you ask, ask Allah. When you seek aid, Turn to Allah. The Pen has dried (after having written) all that would occur..."

It would not be exaggeration to say that if a Muslim was to understand this Hadith and follow it closely, he would be well on his way to fulfilling the goals highlighted above. It is for this reason that Ibn Jawzi said, 'I pondered this Hadith and it struck me with awe; I was so astounded that I almost became light headed...the prevailing ignorance of this Hadith and the lack of understanding there off is truly distressing!

'Abdal Qadir Al-Jaylani said; 'Every believer should make this Hadith a mirror to his heart, his axiom, his shelter and his topic of conversation. He should act by it in all times of motion and stillness so that he can be saved in this world and the hereafter.'

The Journey to Allah

By al-Hafiz Ibn Rajab al-Habali
Paperback , 109 Pages
Daar US-Sunnah Publishers UK

Bukhari records on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (pbuh) said, '

Your actions alone will not save any of you.'
They asked, 'Messenger of Allah, not even you?', He replied, 'Not even me, unless, Allah were to envelop me in His mercy. Be firm; steadfast and balanced; and journey [to Allah] in the beginning of the day, the end of the day, and a portion of the latter part of the night. Moderation, moderation! Through this you will attain your goal!"

He also recorded this hadith in another place with the wording, 'This religion is easy, none makes it hard upon himself  except that it overwhelms him; therefore be firm, steadfast, and balanced; upon which have glad tidings! Seek help in this by journeying [to Allah] at the beginning of the day, at the end of the day, and a portion of the latter part of night.'

These noble ahadith detail a great and important principle from which stem many issues related to the journey to Allah while wayfareing along His Path.

Some of the Salaf said, 'The Hereafter consists either of Allah's forgiveness or the Fire; and this world is either a source of Allah's protection or a source of destruction.' On his deathbed, Muhammad ibn Waasi bid farewell to his companions saying, 'Peace be upon you, either to the Fire or to the forgiveness of Allah.'


Difference Between Advising And Shaming by Ibn Rajab Al Hanbali
In this monumental works of the great shaikh Ibn Rajab Al Hanbali, the author provides essentail deatil in discussing key points dealing with differences that arise between the Prople of Sunnah, and the manners and etiruette one should acquire when differing occurs. He beautifully illustrates the difference betweeen advising that is encouraged, and shaming that is not permitted.

Some of the Salaf said, 'The Hereafter consists either of Allah's forgiveness or the Fire; and this world is either a source of Allah's protection or a source of destruction.' On his deathbed, Muhammad ibn Waasi bid farewell to his companions saying, 'Peace be upon you, either to the Fire or to the forgiveness of Allah.'

The Heavenly Dispute
Dar as-Sunnah are honoured to bring another classical work of Imam Al-Hafiz Ibn Rajab in the English language. It is an important commentary on the noble hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) that was recorded in the collection of Sunan Tirmidhi relating the dispute among the chief angels of the Highest Heaven. The dispute arose about deeds that expiate sin and raise a person's rank in the Hereafter.
The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said of this hadith, "Indeed, it is the truth, so study and learn it." Therefore it is necessary for every Muslim to take extra keen interest in learning its lessons, understanding its values and applying its highly prized recommendations.
The esteemed author beautifully explains the hadith in details and highlights the importance of enacting righteous deeds by which Allah wipes out with them, sins and wrongdoings, while elevating a person to higher degrees on the Day of Judgment. The hadith also comprises great supplications that the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) was given in the lofty encounter with his lord; all of which occurred when he all of a sudden felt drowsy until asleep overtook him during the night prayer.
He additionally discuses concepts of dreams and miracles, the excellence of ablution and performing it well, performing prayer in congregation, the night prayer, walking to the Masjid, feeding the poor and one's neighbours, right etiquette in speaking, having humility and contentment, enjoining the love of Allah and increasing it for purpose of drawing closer to Him.
This work motivates people to go beyond fulfilling their roles as Muslims by not taking seemingly smaller actions for granted. The spiritual dimension to these actions will add to the aspirations in our increased servitude to Allah. Every Muslim is therefore, in need of this precious advice that aims to leave a lasting positive impact on all those who come to embrace its contents.

The Journey of the Strangers


In this age of materialism, consumerism and extreme liberalism, the Muslim often finds himself at a loss, at odds to the ebb and flow of society, and holding ot values, divinely revealed, that contrast starkly with the values held by many around him . He or she is looked at askance, accused of being backward, non-conformist and refusing ot intergrate. In the face of peer pressure, the resolve of some may weaken, the result being a watering-down of one's adherence to Islam and the values it calls to.

 This book is a compilation of two tracts which explain the hadith, ''Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange just as it began, sotuba for the strangers!''It is hoped that it will be a source of comfort and inspiration for the Muslim who is striving to follow Islam at a time when the Muslim could well feel alienated and alone in the world.


Inheritors Of The Prophets

Possessing scholarly knowledge of Islam brings you closer to your lord, Most Exalted. He is the Possessor of all knowledge and out of His Mercy, has granted some knowledge to His Creation so that they can learn about Him and love Him and Worship Him alone. Such sacred knowledge provides a direct route to whomever toils for it, to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing be upon him); and what an excellent inheritance it is. no honour could be greater and sublime than taking from the fountains of Prophets and Messengers.
Abu Darda' (Allah be pleased with him) said, "Indeed I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing be upon him) say: 'Whoever treads a path in search of knowledge, then Allah makes easy a path for him towards
Paradise. The angels lower their wings approvingly for the seeker of knowledge. Indeed everything in the Heavens and on Earth seeks forgiveness for the scholar, even the fish in the sea. The virtue of the scholar over the worshipper is like the full moon over all the other planets. The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets. The Prophets do not leave gold or silver to be inherited, rather they leave knowledge, so whoever takes from that has taken an abundant share."
Muslim communities around the world are suffering from a general absence of traditional Islamic learning and scholarship. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Whomever Allah wishes well for, He gives deep understanding in religion." Thus overcoming chaotic curriculum in a confused world, we need to reconnect to the fundamentals of learning knowledge and revive our intellectual heritage for the purpose of wholly embracing Islam and seeking thereby, the pleasure of our lord and a hope of companionship with the Prophets in the Hereafter.
In this eighth instalment of the Ibn Rajab series, the illustrious Imam, may Allah have mercy upon him, penned a truly inspiring work highlighting the merits of knowledge, its types and the role it plays in transforming an individual. Indeed the cure for ignorance is to embark on a noble journey in search of knowledge, with its path leading to Paradise. This gripping classical masterpiece will remain a referral guide for everyone intent on joining the ranks of the elite of the Muslim Ummah

Author: Ibn Rajab
Publisher: Dar us Sunnah
Cover: Paperback
Weight: 2000g (approx)
Size: 21x14cm (approx)