KENALI ULAMA MASA KINI (2)

As-Salamu `Alaykum. Dear Sir, I want to know whether Sheikh Nasiruddin Al-Albani is a true Islamic scholar and Muhaddith (Hadith scholar)? Is it true that the `Ulama’ (scholars) of Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif called him “Mujrim fil Hadith” (Falsifier of Hadith)? Thank you.


Answer:

Wa`alykum As-Salamu Warhmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Thanks for this serious question, which reflects your concern about Islam. We really commend your efforts in pursuit of truth. This is what is required of all people, to seek truth and not to give in to anything that may cloud their minds with fake ideas about Islam.

While bidding farewell to Sheikh Al-Albani, the eminent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, said:

“Sheikh Al-Albani is one of the great erudite scholars of the 20th century. He verified a number of books on Hadith and compiled many. Some are listed: Silslat Al-Ahadith Ad-Da`ifah, Silslat Al-Ahadith As-Sahihah, Sahih Al-Jami` As-Saghir wa Ziyadatuhu, Da`if Al-Jami` As-Saghir wa Ziyadatuhu, Sahih Abi Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, Sahih At-Targhib wat-Tarhib (though not fully published, it might be on manuscript), Irwa' Al-Ghalil fi Takhrij Ahadith Manar As-Sabil, Mukhtasar Sahih Muslim, Mishkat Al-Masabih, As-Sunnah li Ibn Abi `Asim, and other books.

I met Sheikh Al-Albani many times in my life: in Madinah; in the house of my friend Sheikh Zuhayr Ash-Shawish in Doha; and in many other places. He and I were members of the Supreme Council of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah University.

I do confess that although Sheikh Al-Albani, may Allah rest his soul in peace, is an authority in the science of Hadith, I disagree with him on many issues pertaining to Hadith verification and personal juristic reasoning - for example his opinion regarding the circle-shaped gold for women, and his view of the prohibition of Zakah in trade and many other issues.

It goes without saying that this disagreement is quite natural because no one is infallible. While many people support the views of Sheikh Al-Albani, many oppose him. However, the lapse of a scholar does not undermine his rank or belittle his status.

Actually, the Muslim Ummah bade farewell to one of the great Sheikhs, and I pray to Allah to forgive him, accept him among His righteous slave-servants, and grant him great reward for the service he did for knowledge and religion.

As for the second part of the question, we have never heard of even a single Azharite scholar who called Sheikh Al-Albani Mujrim fil Hadith.”


Country Of Origin : Malaysia

Fatawa Issuing Body : Islam Online
Author/Scholar : Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
Date Of Issue : 18/Jun/2002

Note: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503544026

http://infad.usim.edu.my/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=10673