Majmuat Rasail wa Fatawa fi Masail Muhimma tamass ilayha Hajat al-Asr

Majmuat Rasail wa Fatawa fi Masail Muhimma tamass ilayha Hajat al-Asr (Compendium of Treatises and Fatwas on Important Matters Needed in Contemporary Times) is a collection of theological and legal epistles by prominent scholars of Najd, compiled and published by Muhammad Rashid Rida in 1346 AH / 1928 CE at al-Manar Press in Cairo Majallat al-Buhuth al-Isl…+1. The work addresses pressing sociopolitical and religious questions, specifically warning against religious extremism (ghuluww), sectarian discord, issuing legal rulings without knowledge, unauthorized rebellions, and misinterpretations concerning migration, settled life, and social relations Majmuat Rasail wa Fatawa …+2.

Background and Purpose

The compendium was assembled to provide authoritative guidance on emerging ideological tensions and misunderstandings among newly settled Bedouin communities and religious zealots in Najd Majmuat Rasail wa Fatawa …+2. The texts counter rigid doctrines that led some to unjustly declare fellow Muslims as disbelievers, abandon communal unity, slander scholars, and defy lawful political authority Majmuat Rasail wa Fatawa …+2.

Contents and Structure

The book comprises four main treatises and a concluding legal ruling:

• First Treatise: Authored by Abdullah ibn Abd al-Latif Al al-Shaykh, titled On Adherence and Prohibiting Extremism in Religion (Fi al-Ittiba wa-Hazr al-Ghuluww fi al-Din) Majmuat Rasail wa Fatawa …. It emphasizes strict adherence to the Quran and Sunnah, unity among Muslims, obedience to the ruler (wali al-amr), and refutes accusations of compromise leveled against religious scholars Majmuat Rasail wa Fatawa …+2.
• Second Treatise: Written by Sad ibn Hamad ibn Atiq, addressed to tribal communities such as those of al-Artawiyya, al-Ghatghat, and tribes including Utaybah, Mutayr, and Qahtan Majmuat Rasail wa Fatawa …. It cautions against giving religious verdicts without requisite knowledge, undermining the authority of rulers, leveling accusations against scholars, and imposing unwarranted strictness regarding clothing, turbans, or residence Majmuat Rasail wa Fatawa …+2.
• Third Treatise: Dictated jointly by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Latif Al al-Shaykh and Abdullah ibn Abd al-Aziz al-Anqari Majmuat Rasail wa Fatawa …+1. It clarifies the legal boundaries of religious migration (hijra), ruling that Bedouins who maintain the obligations of Islam are not obliged to reside in towns or villages Majmuat Rasail wa Fatawa …+1. It also corrects erroneous readings of theological compendia made without scholar guidance and forbids unjustified social boycotts (hajr) and unauthorized physical punishment Majmuat Rasail wa Fatawa …+2.
• Fourth Treatise: Excerpted from the writings of Abd al-Latif ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn Hasan Al al-Shaykh (Treatise 33 of his collected works), examining the theological and legal principles of dealing equitably with non-combatant disbelievers under لَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ ("Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion") Majmuat Rasail wa Fatawa …+1.
• Closing Fatwa: An excerpt from Treatise 18 of Abd al-Latif ibn Abd al-Rahman Al al-Shaykh addressing the issue of greeting non-Muslims (al-salam ala al-kafir) and interacting with others when motivated by clear religious benefits and Islamic outreach (dawah) Majmuat Rasail wa Fatawa …+1.