Darurat al-Ihtimam bil-Sunan al-Nabawiyya
- Author died
- 1425 AH
- Editions
- Dar Al-Manar li-l-Nashr wa-l-Tawzi'
Darurat al-Ihtimam bil-Sunan al-Nabawiyya (Arabic: ضرورة الاهتمام بالسنن النبوية, lit. 'The Necessity of Attending to the Prophetic Sunan') is a treatise on adhering to the Prophetic tradition (Sunnah) written by the Saudi scholar Abd al-Salam bin Barjas Al Abd al-Karim (d. 1425 AH / 2004 CE) . The book advocates the thorough study and daily implementation of the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ established practices and refutes contemporary arguments that dismiss or devalue adherence to supererogatory and detailed Sunan .
Background and Purpose
The author completed the treatise in Riyadh on 19 Muharram 1413 AH . In the introduction, he addresses the widespread weakness observed across the Muslim world in political, economic, and social domains . He argues that genuine revival cannot be achieved through political preoccupation or purely intellectual theories, but solely by returning to Islamic teachings in full—both obligatory duties and supererogatory traditions—citing the hadith of Abdullah ibn Umar concerning the causes and remedy of humiliation among Muslims .
Al Abd al-Karim critiques contemporary Islamic groups and speakers who discourage attention to detailed Prophetic practices under the claim that insisting on them fractures Muslim unity, or who divert students toward political news and newspapers at the expense of sacred knowledge . He incorporates statements from the hadith scholar Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani criticizing modern attempts to divide Islam into "core and husk" (lubb wa-qushur) or secondary details (juz'iyyat) versus fundamentals (kulliyyat) as a harmful distortion .
Contents and Structure
The book is structured around several foundational discussions and refutations:
- Definitions of the Sunnah: The author examines the linguistic definition of Sunnah as a path or conduct (sirah and tariqah) and its comprehensive usage in the texts of the Lawgiver and the early generations (al-salaf al-salih), where it encompasses both creedal and practical rulings . He also contrasts the technical definitions given by hadith scholars—who include the Prophet's ﷺ statements, actions, tacit approvals, and physical and moral descriptions—with those of legal theorists (usul al-fiqh), who focus strictly on normative proof-texts .
- Virtues and Benefits: He highlights the general and specific benefits of following the Sunnah in daily life, demonstrating how adherence brings guidance and spiritual rectitude .
- Refutation of Misconceptions: The work briefly addresses and refutes doubts raised by detractors who belittle adherence to outward or recommended Prophetic practices .
Publication History
Before its release, the manuscript was reviewed and commented upon by the scholars Muhammad bin Umar Bazmul and Musa'id bin Sulayman al-Rashid . The treatise was first published in Riyadh by Dar al-Manar in 1414 AH . It was subsequently included in the compiled works and editions (Majmu' Mu'allafat wa-Tahqiqat) of Abd al-Salam bin Barjas published by Dar al-Sumay'i in Riyadh (1435 AH / 2014 CE) .
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