Durus al-Haram al-Madani lil-Uthaymin
- Author died
- 1421 AH
- Editions
- Durus al-Haram al-Madani lil-Uthaymin
Durus al-Haram al-Madani lil-Uthaymin (Lessons and Fatwas of the Prophet’s Mosque by Ibn Uthaymin) is a compilation of recorded and transcribed public lectures and legal responsa delivered by Ibn Uthaymin (d. 1421 AH / 2001 CE) in the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina during the year 1416 AH (1995 CE) .
Context and Setting
The lectures were delivered following the sunset (maghrib) prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina during the month of Rabiʿ al-Thani 1416 AH, with Ibn Uthaymin seated at the teaching chair of Abu Bakr al-Jaza'iri . The structure of each gathering typically paired an opening exegetical address—frequently expounding upon the Quranic passages chanted by the prayer leader (imam) in the preceding congregation—with an extensive question-and-answer session answering queries posed by attendees .
Structure and Contents
The recorded sessions cover theological principles, Quranic commentary, jurisprudence, and practical legal rulings:
- Tafsir and Theology: The author expounded on several Quranic passages, including Surat al-Tariq, addressing the theological affirmation of the believers seeing God in the afterlife (ruʾyat Allah) and warning against delving into the modality (kayfiyyah) of divine attributes . He treated the opening and closing verses of Surat al-Rahman, elucidating the divine attribute of mercy (al-Rahman), scholarly differences concerning the gardens of Paradise, and categories of supplication and seeking means (tawassul) . Commenting on the closing verses of Surat al-Baqarah, he addressed means of repelling intrusive whispers (waswasah), the breadth of divine pardon, and principles governing religious obligation (taklif) and legal leniency (takhfif) . In expounding the end of Surat al-Zumar, he discussed the blowing of the Trumpet, the witnesses on the Day of Resurrection, the eternal abode of the hereafter, and intercessions specific to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ .
- Ethics and Daʿwah: Addressing Quranic directives on preaching, he outlined the conditions required of an Islamic caller, notably sincerity, sound knowledge, wisdom, and gentle admonition . He also issued cautions against rushing into religious edicts (fatwa) .
- Jurisprudential Inquiries and Fatwas: The lessons covered legal rulings concerning Friday and its congregational prayer, detailing specific characteristics of both, and explaining that Friday holds no unique distinction for visiting graves . The rulings of greetings (salam)—including their phrasing and initiating or returning them to non-Muslims—were also treated . Additional answers addressed contemporary questions such as the conditions governing vocal chants (anashid), the necessity of seeking knowledge prior to performing rites like pilgrimage, and visiting graves with the aim of taking heed of the hereafter rather than purely emotional motives .
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