Question:

As-Salaamu 'Alaykum Respected Mufti Sahib,

I would like to know about the author, Shaykh 'Abdul-Ghani al-Daqr.

The particular book I am looking to download and share is on Imaam Ahmad bin Hambal (rahmatullaahi `alayh). It is available on waqfeya here (waqfeya.com/book.php?bid=8553). It should also be available for previewing in my folder (bit.ly/arabicBooks) under the title "أحمد بن حنبل، إمام أهل السنة" [I have since removed it-see answer below].

First of all, I have seen this webpage (www.azahera.net/showthread.php?t=2331). It appears that the Shaykh was clean-shaven, yet belonging to Ahlus Sunnah (Shaafi'ee, Ash'aree). If this is true (that he was clean-shaven), should I not refrain from reading books by him? On the other hand, his son, Shaykh 'Ali al-Daqr (ar.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A_%D8...) appears to have had a proper Shar'ee beard.

Also, regarding the book on Imaam Ahmad (rahmatullaahi 'alayh), I was confused about the part on 'Aqeedah. I have mentioned to you before that my knowledge of Arabic is very little, so kindly bear with me. I have been requested to get some books in Arabic for a friend, so I want them to be authentic and spiritually beneficial.

Anyway, here is a screenshot of the relevant part of the book (i.imgur.com/MmMFUId.png). It is from the top of page 132. I don't know whose words are quoted, but they seem strange to me, unless I have misunderstood. It looks like the author is affirming that "Allaah has a face," "Allaah has two hands (without asking how)," and "Allaah has two eyes (without asking how)." I thought this was an improper way of speaking about Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى).

Can you kindly explain the above part of the book? That is, whose words are being quoted, and are the beliefs mentioned correct?

At the end of the book is a list of similar books (I think of the same series, titled "أعلام المسلمين"). They are also biographies of our pious predecessors. Here is the screenshot of this page (i.imgur.com/iSsbfh5.png), which is on page 319. The only name I am familiar with is Shaykh Wahbi Ghawji al-Albani. Do you know about the other authors? Since these are all from the same series (I think), would you suggest downloading these other books as well?

Finally, would you suggest for me to read the books of Shaykh 'Abdul-Ghani al-Daqr? Like I said, it seems that he was clean-shaven, even though his son had a proper Shar'ee beard.

Jazaaka-llaahu khayran,

[...]

Was-salaam,

Samah

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Answer:

Wa'alaykum as Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,

Shaykh 'Abdul-Ghani al-Daqr (rahimaullah) was a senior Mufti of Syria and was well know for his high Asaanid in the field of Hadith. People used to travel from far places just to read anf get ijaazah in a small booklet. Likewise, he was also known for his great talent in the Arabic language.

Nevertheless, in spite of him being so great, we will have to differ with him on a few issues:

Firstly, there are contradictory statements from his students. Some mention that when they asked him about his Aqidah, he always stated that he was an Ashaairi. He even used to narrate the Ahadith which is musalsal with only Ashaairah. However, he would admit that he differs with the Asaairies in the issue of istiwa. Obviously, with utmost respect, he was not on that level to differ.

However, many other students say that he clearly told them that he is not on the Aqidah of Imam Ahmad. Since numerous issues are not firmly narrated from Imam
Ahmad (understand it like that for now, otherwise this needs a deep academic discussion), this would put a blemish on him.

Similarly, in Fiqh, he is known for passing the verdict that 3 divorces equal to one. This goes against all four madhaahib. He also made it clear that he does not stick rigidly

Thus, I would advise that you rather abstain from his books.

On another note, unfortunately many scholars from Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt etc are all clean shaven.

When we met with Shaykh Wahbi Ghawji, he cried when he saw us with beards and turbans, and he told us that he only knew 4 Ulama in Syria who had beards. Allah knows best whether they are excused because of political pressure etc. Yes, there are many senior Shafi scholars who do give fatwaa on the view that it is not compulsory in the Shafi Madhab to grow the beard.

In conclusion, it is best to rather first start with the authentic books of the Ulama of the past, and once you have a strong grounding, you can then choose the books of contemporary scholars.

And Allah knows best.

Wassalam,

Ismail

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Source: http://www.hanafiacademy.com/forums/topic/shaykh-abdul-ghani-al-daqr-his-books-and-related-books/