al-Liqa al-Shahri

al-Liqa al-Shahri (The Monthly Gathering) is a compiled collection of transcripts of monthly public lectures and legal question-and-answer sessions delivered by the Saudi Hanbali scholar Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymin (1347–1421 AH / 1929–2001 CE) al-Liqa al-Shahri+1.

Origin and Schedule

The gatherings were conducted on a regular monthly basis at the Grand Mosque in Unayzah (al-Qasim province, Saudi Arabia), where Ibn Uthaymin served as imam, preacher, and teacher Fasl al-Khitab fi al-Zuhd…+1. The sessions took place after the 'Isha prayer on the eve of the first Sunday of every Islamic month, except when prevented by travel or other unforeseen circumstances Majallat al-Bayan+1.

Structure and Scope

Each gathering follows a two-part structure:

• Introductory Lecture: Ibn Uthaymin opened each session with an exposition on a specific legal, theological, or seasonal topic al-Liqa al-Shahri+1. Topics covered across the sessions include:

  • Jurisprudence and acts of worship: Rulings on the five daily prayers and their preliminaries, the solar and lunar eclipse prayers (salat al-kusuf), the coincidence of the Friday prayer with Eid, and the complete rituals of Hajj and Umrah al-Liqa al-Shahri+2.
  • Quranic exegesis (tafsir): Explanations of short chapters and select verses, such as Surah al-Asr and passage رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ from Surah al-Furqan al-Liqa al-Shahri+1.
  • Creed and general ethics: The foundations of faith in the Last Day and divine decree (qadar), conditions for the acceptance of righteous deeds, mutual exhortation to truth and patience, and the prophetic inheritance of knowledge and wisdom borne by scholars al-Liqa al-Shahri+1.
  • Seasonal and contemporary guidance: Clarifying misconceptions regarding the sacred month of Rajab, offering pastoral advice for Ramadan (including encouragement for smoking cessation), welcoming the start of the academic school year, and addressing current affairs affecting Muslims, such as the Russian military campaign in Chechnya al-Liqa al-Shahri+3.

• Questions and Answers: Following the opening address, the author responded extensively to legal, theological, and practical questions submitted by the attendees present in the mosque, providing legal rulings (fatawa) supported by scriptural evidence al-Liqa al-Shahri+2.