Jami Turath al-Allama al-Albani fi al-Manhaj wa al-Ahdath al-Kubra
- Author died
- 1420 AH
- Editions
- Markaz al-Nu'man lil-Buhuth wal-Dirasat al-Islamiyyah wa-Tahqiq al-Turath wal-Tarjamah
Jami Turath al-Allama al-Albani fi al-Manhaj wa al-Ahdath al-Kubra (The Compendium of the Heritage of the Erudite Scholar al-Albani on Methodology and Major Events) is a multi-volume encyclopedic collection compiling the methodological teachings and contemporary socio-political assessments of the hadith scholar Nasir al-Din al-Albani (1332–1420 AH / 1914–1999 CE), prepared and edited by Shadi ibn Muhammad ibn Salim Al Nu'man.
Purpose and Scope
The work forms the second installment of a broader encyclopedic project titled Mawsu'at al-'Allama al-Imam Mujaddid al-'Asr Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani (The Encyclopedia of the Erudite Scholar and Imam, Renewer of the Era, Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani), following an earlier compilation dedicated to creed (Jami' Turath al-'Allama al-Albani fi al-'Aqida). The compiler sought to gather al-Albani's scattered writings and recorded statements regarding the principles of Islamic methodology (manhaj), which al-Albani defined as the path established by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and adhered to by the early generations (al-Salaf al-Salih).
In addition to foundational methodological questions—such as Salafi self-identification, the principles of purification and education (al-tasfiya wa-l-tarbiya), and rulings on political and collective activism—the collection incorporates al-Albani's positions on modern global affairs and major historical crises. The compiler noted that these geopolitical events were incorporated because al-Albani's overarching legal and theological methodology directly governed his assessments of events such as the Afghan jihad, the Algerian civil crisis, the Palestinian cause, and the Second Gulf War.
Method and Sources
The compendium is constructed from an exhaustive survey of al-Albani's published books, articles, and audio lectures and question-and-answer sessions, most notably the extensive cassette series Silsilat al-Huda wa-l-Nur. Transcriptions of the audio tapes were verified against original recordings and documented with precise cassette numbers, minutes, and seconds. Fu'ad al-Zayla'i assisted in formatting and layout, and Fahd al-Lahji participated in the final review stage.
The compiler organized the material thematically, cross-referencing theological topics with the earlier creed volume. For instance, discussions of historical sects—such as Sufism, the Kharijites, the Murji'ites, the Jahmiyya, the Mu'tazila, and the Ash'arites—are presented as methodological critiques complementary to the doctrinal refutations in the creed encyclopedia.
Structure
The work is organized into thematic volumes, covering subjects including:
- Volume 1: Introductory definitions of the Salafi methodology, understanding of the Salaf (fahm al-Salaf), and purification and cultivation (al-tasfiya wa-l-tarbiya).
- Volume 2: The designation of Salafism (al-tasammi bi-l-Salafiyya), diagnosis of the contemporary crisis and its remedy, refutation of allegations, and the ruling on the multiplicity of Islamic groups.
- Volume 3: Political activity (al-'amal al-siyasi) and collective action (al-'amal al-jama'i).
- Volume 5: School partisanship (al-ta'assub al-madhhabi), ruling by other than what Allah revealed (al-hukm bi-ghayr ma anzala Allah), and the jurisprudence of disagreement (fiqh al-khilaf).
- Volume 6: Questions posed by Abu al-Hasan al-Sulaymani and selections of self-criticism.
- Volume 7: Jama'at al-Tabligh and the doctrine of loyalty and disavowal (al-wala' wa-l-bara').
- Volume 8: Continuation of loyalty and disavowal, and the principles of religious innovations (usul al-bida').
- Volume 9: Jihad, the jurisprudence of calling to Islam (fiqh al-da'wa), and interacting with Muslims engaged in unlawful acts.
- Volume 10: The Afghan conflict, the Algerian crisis, the Palestinian cause, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Volume 11: The Second Gulf War and the conditions of Muslim communities across the world.
- Volume 12: Islamic sects and divergent ideological movements.
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