Compilation: DhikruLlahi Adebayo Aboo Sahl Laspalmas Al-Atharee
AlhamduliLlaahi, wa biHi nasta'een. To proceed;
It is a common practice among the scholars to write their names at the end of their books, treatises or translated works, and such was never considered a show off.
Ascription of hadeeth to the Prophet - sallallahu alahyi wa sallam - which is a vital aspect of the science of Isnaad (chain of transmission) as well as actions of the Salaf in writing their names, place of compilation and date at the end of their treatise suffice as evidence. It never contradicts sincerity, and no one claims otherwise except who is barely conversant with their works.
Benefits of Undersigning a Book or an Article
From the benefits of putting ones name under an article and at the end of a book are:
It distinguishes the work of a Sunee from that of a mubtadi' (an innovator).
It determines each scholars opinion and persuasion (if no name was attached to the books of Madhaaib (Fiqh School of thought, there would have been a great confusion).
It makes correction or refutation possible and easy, lest the writer of a rejoinder falls into an error.
It distinguishes the work of a scholar from a student.
It shows the competence of the writer/ compiler.
It makes for a perfect reference.
It guides against plagiarism.
It distinguishes two books of similar title for example, Sharh as-Sunnah of Barbahaaree (Book of Creed) and that of Al-Baghawee (Book of narrations).
It serves as a way of knowing the worth of a book.
It gives tranquility of the mind as to the credibility of the information in a book (Allah commands us to verify a message before accepting it, knowing the name of an author or a compiler makes verification easy).
Another thing a careful reader of the works of scholars will realize is that they are always circumspect when it comes to naming their books.
Some of the pointers to this include:
Making it self-defined.
Catchy and rhymed title (not out of takalluf) e.g rawdah An-nadiyyah sharh Ad-duraar Al-Bahiyyah (you notice the yah in Nadiyah and Bahiyyah; 'Aunl Ma'bood Sharh Sunnan Abee Dawood, (the ood in Mabood and Dawood) etc.
Date and Other Elements in Undersigning
It is also the action of the scholars of sunnah to write date, season (summer/winter) and the place where they completed their works.
This also has a number of benefits which include;
Distinguishing the earlier and later opinion of a scholar: Knowing the date a book was compiled and other works makes the later opinion and stand of the scholar known (For example, kitaab Ar-Ruh of Ibn Qayyim: Scholars- from them is Ash Shaykh Mash-hoor- said perchance he compiled the book before meeting Ibn Taymiyyah.
Also, the opinion of Al-Albaanee was that 'Itakaf can be done in any mosque where juma'h prayer is established, but the opinion was retracted later as mentioned by Al-Halabi in Al- Insaaf fee Ahkaam al-I'tikaaf).
Keeping a perfect record: Putting date and other details in a book or treatise allows for proper keeping of record and documentation.
Biographical reference: Date and other necessary details serve a good purpose in knowing the era of a specific scholar, lest his date of birth is vague as well as his contemporaries.
A portion of the glad tidings for the believers: It gladdens the mind of the writer/compiler, as he used his time to propagate the religion (this can be known by those who often ink sheets). The Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked, “What do you think if a man does a good deed and the people praise him for it?” He said: “That is the portion of the glad tidings for the believer which he is given in this world. (Narrated by Muslim from the Hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him).
Knowing the reason for Compliation: It is possible that the reason for compilation is known through the details at the end of a work (For example, A lecture such as Manzilatus sunnah of Al-Albanee delivered at Doha, and his lecture on At-Tawaasul a rebuttal to Al-Bootee which later turned to a beneficial book).
Testimony to the vast knowledge of a scholar: The vast knowledge of the scholars is known through the details given in his work. (For example: Ibn Hajar compiled nukhbatul fikr while on a journey and Ibn Qayyim was said to have written Zaad Al-Maad on a journey to hajj, Ibn Taymiyyah wrote a book on Mantiq (Logic) between maghrib and Ishaa', and Al-Albaanee dictated volume 14 of Ad-Da'eefah on his sick bed).
Knowing the earlier and later edition of a book: for example, al-Bughyah of Ash-Shaykh Al Bazmool.
Knowing the time of compilation of works with similar title: There are some books with similar title. With the date of compilation the one which comes before the other is known (For example: Fatihul Baaree of Al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali and Fatihul Baaree Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar).
Sincerely, nothing pleases the heart like opening an old book or a jotter and seeing the date and the place of the sitting of knowledge (halqah) or the articles and books compiled. Hence, students of knowledge should cultivate the habit of keeping a good journal of benefits learnt from a sitting or a class as well as details of works in progress and the ones completed. Verily, doing that is part of the civilization handed down to us from the Salaf.
And above all, it is from Allah we seek guidance and sincerity.
Editted by Kamal Ololade
