Fatwa ID: 01349

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

Fazaail-e-Amaal

Answer:

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Fazaail-e-Amaal was compiled by Hazrat Shaikh Maulana Mohammed Zakariyaa .  It consists of verses from the Quran, Ahadith, stories of the companions and pious saints that explain the virtues of good deeds.  The aim of the book was not to mention or establish Islamic rulings but to encourage fellow Muslim brothers and sisters to do good deeds.  Similar books have been written before in the past on virtues such as Imam Shafee  book “Fadhaail-e-Quran” and “Al-Adabul Mufrad” by Imam Bukhari .

A common comment made against Fazaail-e-Amaal is that some narrations of the book is weak and fabricated.  However, weak narrations are not acceptable only in regards to aqeedah and in establishing Shariah rulings.

Scholars such as Imam Ibn Salah and Imam Nawawi have always stated that there is a leeway in quoting weak hadiths in virtues of acts.  Even Imam Bukhari brought weak narrations in his book “Al Adabul Mufrad”, indicating that he also accepts weak narrations in regards to virtues of good deeds.

With respect to your question, there is nothing wrong in quoting weak hadiths in regards to virtues of good deeds.  This is an Islamic principle therefore the compilation of some weak hadiths by Shaikh Mohammed Zakariyah is not something wrong or against the teachings of the Shariah.

Finally, we should bear in mind that the pious and learned amongst the Ummah cannot be unanimous upon something that is false or not part of Islam. The Prophet of Allah has said:

“Allah will not unite the Ummah of Mohammad upon misguidance.  Allah’s help is with the majority.  Whoever deviates from them will be thrown into the fire of Jahannam.”  (Sunan Tirmizi p.39 v.2)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.