:salam2:
Jakallah for the correction. May Allah reward u in this life and the hereafter.
Asalaamu Alaikum wr wb, This kithab was compiled by Hazrath Shaikh Zakariya (Rahimahullah). It consists of Aayaats of the Quran, Ahadith, stories of the Sahabah and stories of the pious predecessors that explain the virtues of good deeds. The object of the book is to encourage the Muslims on doing good deeds, and not to explain any ruling of Shari’ah.
Shaikh Zakariya (Rahimahullah) was not the first to write a kithab of this manner, but the likes of this kithab have been written by the authors of the past, like Kithab-u-Zuhd by Abdullah bin Mubarak (Rahimahullah), Fadhaiulul Quran by Imam Shafi’ (Rahimahullah), Al Adabul Mufrad by Imam Bukhari (Rahimahullah), Al Targheeb Wal Tarheeb by Ibnul Qayyim Munziri (Rahimahullah), etc.
Some objections made against Fazail-e-A’mal:
1.A common comment made against Fazail-e-A’mal is that some of the narrations mentioned in it are weak and fabricated. This comment is not totally correct, as there are no fabricated narrations in this book. There are dha’eef (weak) narrations in Fazail-e-A’mal. However, it is important to point out that the word dha’eef, literally translated as ‘weak’, is a terminology and should not be understood in its general sense. Its application is based on the rules explained in the sciences of hadith. Moreover, weak narrations are not acceptable only in regards to aqeedah and the rulings of Islamic jurisprudence. Majority of the scholars have accepted weak narrations as far as virtues of good deeds are concerned. Even Imam Bukhari (Rahimahullah) has brought weak narrations in his book, Al Adabul Mufrad, which shows that he also accepts weak narrations in regards to virtues of good deeds.
2.Some scholars claim that there are such narrations in Fazail-e-A’mal, especially in Fazail-e-Durood, that prove that the author had beliefs of shirk and believed in the Omnipresence of Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). These are false allegations made against the author, who was one of the most prominent scholars of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah.
Firstly, such allegations are made mostly by Arab scholars, who are unaware of the difference between the Deobandis and the Barelwis. They regard both these groups to be one, as both of them are from , and attribute the beliefs of Barelwis to the Deobandis. It is some of the Barelwis who believe in grave-worshipping and the Omnipresence of Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and these beliefs have been attributed to the Deobandis. Some of these Arab scholars, like Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen (Rahimahullah), retracted from what they said after the actual situation was explained to them.
Secondly, the author has mentioned references for each and every narration or incident he has mentioned. Therefore, any comments regarding these narrations or incidents should be attributed to the author of the reference provided, as Shaikh Zakariya (Rahimahullah) has absolved himself by giving the reference.
Thirdly, most of the incidents mentioned in Fazail-e-Durood are of pious predecessors. It is incorrect to say that these are fabricated Ahadith, as the word Hadith is used for the sayings of Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). It is also incorrect to confirm the beliefs of the author through these incidents, as the object of the author was only to emphasise on the virtues of durood mentioned in them.
Moreover, most of the incidents mentioned are dreams, and no rulings of Shari’ah can be derived from dreams. It is farfetched to confirm someone’s faith from a dream, of another person, mentioned in his kithab.
In the present day climate it is often opined that the usage of Weak (Da’ef) Ahadeeth is forbidden in Islam and there is a genuine move amongst certain circles to purge the Hadeeth collection of Weak (Da’ef) narrations. Although the opinions and Fatawa of certain Scholars (of the past and present) can be presented in support of this position (of discouragement) towards the usage of Weak (Da’ef) Ahadeeth, nevertheless there exists an overwhelming majority of Islamic Scholars (from Salaf & Khalaf) who not only permitted its usage but their publications contained these (i.e. Weak Narrations) in abundance. Furthermore from the opinions and practises of the Ulama of the past we can also glean that usage of Weak (Da’ef) Ahadeeth is preferred over Qiyas (deduction/analogy) and in matters where no Authentic Narration exists.
It may be argued by some that shouldn’t Weak (Da’ef) Ahadeeth be avoided anyways? The answer is that if it was good enough for the Masters of Hadeeth, Kibar Ulama and Muhadeetheen to use it and no attempt was made to purge the Hadeeth collection of their existence, then why should it be attempted by us? The actions of Ulama (of the past) will make it clear that it is not a crime to use weak Ahadeeth, provided that rules set forth by the Muhadeetheen are followed.
If we look at the examples of Imam Bukhari (RA) in
“Al Adab Al Mufrad” and Shaykhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah’s book
“Alkalimut-Tayyib” which both contains many weak Ahadeeth the case in point being that Ameerul-Muhadetheen Imam Bukhari (RA) was the Master of Hadeeth and clearly knew the difference between Authentic (Saheeh) and Weak (Da’ef) Ahadeeth YET he chose to use the later in a book of Fadhail (virtues); Al Adab Al Mufrad is read, taught and practised by the Ummah for generations with the full knowledge that it contains Weak (Da’ef) Ahadeeth, although attempts have been made to
“purge” the book from its Weak (Da’ef) Ahadeeth but the original manuscript is still widely available and used. Shaykhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah’s book
“Alkalimut-Tayyib” has been revised by Shaykh Al-Albani (RA) as
“Saheeh (Authentic) Alkalimut-Tayyib” &
“Da’ef (Weak) Alkalimut-Tayyib”, nevertheless the original manuscript remains in vogue.
It is no surprise that even in our present day and age, there are many such people whose sole purpose and object is to confuse, complicate and puzzle the minds of the ordinary masses. They will make big claims and call themselves whatever they wish to, but alas! Their aim and target is to corrupt the beliefs of people, so as to leave them in utter bewilderment. Such beliefs which have been clearly and explicitly expounded by Allah Ta’ala in the Qur’aan and which have been explained to us in the Ahaadith by Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), but alas! Not only do they deny such beliefs, instead they wish to brainwash the minds of others to fall into the trap that they have been mislead into (may Allah Ta’ala guide and save us all, Aameen)
Sister don't let anyone deter you from reading this wonderful book and gaining motivation from it to do good deeds. Let no one slander the pious people from the past which are mentioned in the book to have done 2000 rakats who is anyone to deny that there were people like this? We have to be careful what we say lest we stand on trial on the day of judgement for our slanderous words.
If the greatest Muhaditheen like Imaam Bukhari (Ra) and the greatest scholars of our times Ibn Taymiyyah (Ra) themselves and MANY other great scholars used similar hadith for the purpose of emphasising virtues deeds then how is Fadaa'il a'maal any different? Its sole purpose is to motivate and it does the GREATEST job in doing that so continue to read it sister and don't let people deter or confuse you because trust me in this deen you will find MANY who will. May Allah guide us to the right path. Ameen.