Udu ila Khayr al-Hadi
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Udu ila Khayr al-Hadi (Return to the Best Guidance) is an Islamic treatise authored by the contemporary Egyptian scholar Muhammad Ismail al-Muqaddim, dedicated to addressing seasonal deviations from the prophetic Sunnah that occur during the month of Ramadan.
Background and Purpose
The treatise was completed by the author in Alexandria on Saturday, 4 Shaʿban 1425 AH (18 September 2004 CE). In his introduction, al-Muqaddim states that he composed the work to highlight recurring practices during the month of Ramadan that contravene the Sunnah. He notes with concern that such practices had not only spread among the lay public but had also crept into the conduct of students of religious knowledge among Ahl al-Sunnah, who are expected to safeguard and convey the Sunnah in its pure form. The author compiled these observations and their correctives from the statements of classical and contemporary scholars of jurisprudence and hadith.
Contents and Key Themes
The treatise focuses on rectifying common worship practices and prayer rituals associated with Ramadan:
- Weeping and Composure during Qur'anic Recitation: The work examines the virtue of genuine weeping arising from contemplation and reverence when reciting or listening to the Qur'an, presenting reports from the Prophet ﷺ, the Companions, and early generations (al-Salaf). In contrast, al-Muqaddim cautions against artificial or ostentatious weeping (takalluf al-bukaʾ), shouting, shrieking, and fainting, noting that such theatrical manifestations contradict the sobriety, inner humility, and concealed devotion practiced by the early Muslim community.
- Adherence to Transmitted Supplications (al-Duʿaʾ al-Maʾthur): The text warns against excessive elongation and unverified additions in the qunut supplication during the night prayers (tarawih and witr). It argues for adhering strictly to the supplications transmitted from the Prophet ﷺ, citing classical authorities such as al-Qadi Iyad, al-Mawardi, Ibn Aqil al-Hanbali, and Izz al-Din ibn Abd al-Salam on the disfavor of deviating from or adding to transmitted texts in qunut.
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