The book titled 'Reminding the Supported Sect of some Abandoned Sunan'

(Part No. 11; Page No. 21)  Fatwa no. 21342 The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' reviewed what was submitted by some counselors. This inquiry is registered at the General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars, under number (779) dated Safar 6th, 1421 A.H. It was enclosed by a copy of a book entitled "Tadhkir Al-Ta'ifah Al-Mansurah Biba`d Al-Sunan Al-Mahjurah (Reminding the Supported Sect of some Abandoned Sunan [supererogatory acts of worship following the example of the Prophet])", collected by Mahmud Imam Mansur, and printed in Dar Al-Ma'athir in Al-Madinah in 1420 A.H.

Upon reviewing this book, we found it was based on the author's own rule that the habitual acts done by the Prophet (peace be upon him) are considered a source of legislation and a Sunnah as the acts he did as a kind of `Ibadah (worship) as is mentioned in the book (p.17). It is known that mixing the ordinary and innate acts with legislative ones is an absolute mistake and setting incorrect rules and principles as clarified in the books of Usul-ul-Fiqh (principles of Islamic jurisprudence). According to these incorrect rules upon which the author wrote his book, he made many scholarly mistakes and Fiqhi abnormalities. Moreover, he regarded as Sunnah the matters that are deemed by reliable scholars as Bid`ah (innovation in the religion) if they are done for the sake of being a Sunnah. One of the subsidiary matters in which the author makes a mistake in regarding them as Sunnah is the act of lying down after Fajr (Dawn) Prayer (p.15), in addition to the Sunnah of keeping silent after Fajr Prayer till the sun rises (p.66). However, it was proven that the Prophet (peace be upon him) talked to his wife, Mother of the Believers, `Aishah (Part No. 11; Page No. 22) (may Allah be pleased with her) after Fajr Prayer, as mentioned in Sahih (Authentic Hadith Book) of Al-Bukhari and others. Furthermore, he mentioned that it is a Sunnah to bring both heels together during Sujud (prostration) (p.86), while the Sunnah is separating both heels and the belly from the thighs during Salah (Prayer) without exaggeration. He also deemed as a Sunnah limiting the steps of the Minbar (pulpit) to only three (p.131). Moreover, he mentioned that it is a Sunnah to unfasten the buttons (p.212) and wear a tied up turban (p. 222). In addition, he considered Iftar (breaking the Fast) upon hearing the cannon shot (traditional way of announcing the time to prepare for breaking the Fast) to be a Bid`ah (p.135), as well as other matters he regarded by mistake as Sunnah. By doing so, he disturbed people and caused them confusion. Therefore, the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' has decided to prohibit this book from sale and circulation. Furthermore, it advises the author to seek the knowledge of Shari`ah (Islamic law) from the scholars known for their knowledge, virtue, and sound `Aqidah (creed) and understanding. May Allah grant us all success.May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.