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Ibn Rajab's Monographs
The Journey of the Strangers
In this age of materialism, consumerism and extreme liberalism, the Muslim often finds himself at a loss, at odds to the ebb and flow of society, and holding to values, divinely revealed, that contrast starkly with the values held by many around him. He or she is looked at askance, accused of being backward, non-conformist and refusing to integrate. In the face of peer pressure, the resolve of some may weaken, the result being a watering-down of one's adherence to Islam and the values it calls to.
The Prophet ﷺ warned us that a time would come in which Islam and the Muslims would be beheld as strangers, not just by non-Muslims but by many Muslims as well! He informed us that days were coming in which trying to keep hold of one's religion would be like holding red hot coals, and he stressed the paramount importance of holding fast to Islam in its pristine purity during that time, stating that this, and only this, was the path to success in this life and the next.
This book is a compilation of two tracts which explain the hadith, 'Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange just as it began, so blessed are the strangers!' It is hoped that it will be a source of comfort and inspiration for the Muslim who is striving to follow Islam at a time when the Muslim could well feel alienated and alone in the world.
The first is a treatise penned by the great Imam, al-Ajurri (d.330H), a scholar known for his deep knowledge and piety, his quality being recognised by all. The second is a monograph written by the Imam, Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (d.795H), a scholar praised extensively for his vast knowledge, ascetism and expertise in the Hanbali school of thought. An introduction has been added from the words of Shatibi and an appendix from Ibn Qayyim's monumental Madarij al-Salikin.
The Prophet ﷺ warned us that a time would come in which Islam and the Muslims would be beheld as strangers, not just by non-Muslims but by many Muslims as well! He informed us that days were coming in which trying to keep hold of one's religion would be like holding red hot coals, and he stressed the paramount importance of holding fast to Islam in its pristine purity during that time, stating that this, and only this, was the path to success in this life and the next.
This book is a compilation of two tracts which explain the hadith, 'Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange just as it began, so blessed are the strangers!' It is hoped that it will be a source of comfort and inspiration for the Muslim who is striving to follow Islam at a time when the Muslim could well feel alienated and alone in the world.
The first is a treatise penned by the great Imam, al-Ajurri (d.330H), a scholar known for his deep knowledge and piety, his quality being recognised by all. The second is a monograph written by the Imam, Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (d.795H), a scholar praised extensively for his vast knowledge, ascetism and expertise in the Hanbali school of thought. An introduction has been added from the words of Shatibi and an appendix from Ibn Qayyim's monumental Madarij al-Salikin.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
ابن رجب الحنبلي
133 books183 followersابن رجب الحنبلي (736- 795 هـ) هو الإمام الحافظ العلَّامة زين الدين عبد الرحمن بن أحمد بن عبد الرحمن بن الحسن بن محمد بن أبي البركات مسعود السلامي البغدادي الدمشقي الحنبلي، أبو الفرج الشهير بابن رجب، عالم دين مسلم، ومحدِّث وفقيه حنبلي. اشتهر بشرحه على الأربعون النووية وكان أيضًا المؤلف لكتاب «فتح الباري».
وُلد ابن رجب في بغداد، سنة 736هـ، لأسرة علمية عريقة في العلم والإمامة في الدين.
ثم قدِمَ إلى دمشق وهو صغير سنة 744هـ، وأجازه ابن النقيب، وسمع بمكة على الفخر عثمان بن يوسف، واشتغل بسماع الحديث باعتناء والده. وحدَّث عن محمد بن الخبَّاز، وإبراهيم ابن داود العطَّار، وأبي الحرم محمد بن القلانسي.
وسمع بمصر من صدر الدين أبي الفتح الميدومي، ومن جماعة من أصحاب ابن البُخاري. فأُتيح له تحصيل العلم على أكابر علماء عصره، ونبغ فيه وعلا شأنه في علم الحديث، وبلغ درجة الإمامة في فنونه، بل في أعمقها وأجلِّها، وهو علم الإسناد وعلم العلل، حتى قصده طلَّاب العلم.
وأما في الفقه فقد برع فيه حتى صار من أعلام المذهب الحنبلي، ويشهد على ذلك كتابه (القواعد الفقهية).
وُلد ابن رجب في بغداد، سنة 736هـ، لأسرة علمية عريقة في العلم والإمامة في الدين.
ثم قدِمَ إلى دمشق وهو صغير سنة 744هـ، وأجازه ابن النقيب، وسمع بمكة على الفخر عثمان بن يوسف، واشتغل بسماع الحديث باعتناء والده. وحدَّث عن محمد بن الخبَّاز، وإبراهيم ابن داود العطَّار، وأبي الحرم محمد بن القلانسي.
وسمع بمصر من صدر الدين أبي الفتح الميدومي، ومن جماعة من أصحاب ابن البُخاري. فأُتيح له تحصيل العلم على أكابر علماء عصره، ونبغ فيه وعلا شأنه في علم الحديث، وبلغ درجة الإمامة في فنونه، بل في أعمقها وأجلِّها، وهو علم الإسناد وعلم العلل، حتى قصده طلَّاب العلم.
وأما في الفقه فقد برع فيه حتى صار من أعلام المذهب الحنبلي، ويشهد على ذلك كتابه (القواعد الفقهية).
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 20, 2023
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Be in this world like a stranger or somebody passing on his way".
In another narration: “Islam began as something strange and it will return to being something strange, so tūbā (glad tidings) to the strangers!"
In another narration: “Islam began as something strange and it will return to being something strange, so tūbā (glad tidings) to the strangers!"
April 15, 2025
What a great book about being a stranger in this temporary world! It conveys a profound message for our time when we see so many people chasing fame, glory, and recognition.
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December 8, 2024a gem
September 11, 2026
The Journey of the Strangers (Sifat-ul Ghuraba') by imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali and imam Al-Ajurri
📖 This book is a compilation of two tracts which explain the hadith:
'Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange just as it began, so tuba for the strangers!
Sunan Ibn Majah, 3988
🎀 It is a source of comfort and inspiration for the Muslim who is striving to follow Islam at a time when the Muslim could well feel alienated and alone in the world.
🌸 Before the come of islam, people were indulged in the culture, traditions and practices of their parents. Prophet Mohamed ﷺ came to change all this, even people called him a poet, magician, possesed. They rejected him even they knew the truth in their hearts. They tried to stop him and his Message. But, even this, he ﷺ stayed steadfast to the Truth and the purity of his Message. He ﷺ and the people that followed him were view as strangers, abandoned, punished abd boycoted by theur own people. But they remained true to islam, knowing that Allah Azawajall is with them. They endured all with sabr, hoping to a big Reward.
🎀 Because of their faith, a lot of people and even sects within islam make the belivers to feel like strangers. The people that follow the Truth are usually small as numbers. As Muslims, we never unite against Qur'an and Sunnah, and this makes us to feel isolated, odd, but we hope at Rewards from Allah Azawajall. We conform with the Laws of Allah, not people.
📖 Prophet ﷺ said that Islam began as sth strange and it will go back at being strange. Strangers are those that correct people when they become corrupt, even those opposing them will be a lot.
🌸 In this dunya, the belivers are like strangers, but they never desppair even when they are humiliated, they don't seen dunya distinction. They stay steadfast in their deen, going away from any bid'ah, even we can feel alone.
🎀 Nowdays, the strangers are those who adhere to the Sunnah, that stay away from bid'ah, who follow the past scholars, know the reality of their times and stay away from any corruption that exists in their land. They strive to become better persons, to overcome their whims and desires, their mistakes, and live upon Qur'an and Sunnah, no matter what people think about them. They don't stay near people that mislead them and have sabr. They don't cate about people a long as tgeir deen is safe. They wish just for Allah's praise.
📖 Strangers are those who correct what was corupted from Sunnah and rectify people that are corrupt.
There are 2 types of people between the strangers:
1. Those that correct themselves while people are corrupt (inner strangers)
2. Those who purrifies Sunnah from people that are corrupted it (outer strangers).
🌸 Strangers have hearts that are attached to Paradise and Akhirah, not dunya. They are attached to their Creator, not people. They prefer to stay alone, in seclusion, as relief in their hearts come with seclusion with Allah Azawajall Alone.
This book is a beautiful one, giving us strength for the reality of the world we are living in
📖 This book is a compilation of two tracts which explain the hadith:
'Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange just as it began, so tuba for the strangers!
Sunan Ibn Majah, 3988
🎀 It is a source of comfort and inspiration for the Muslim who is striving to follow Islam at a time when the Muslim could well feel alienated and alone in the world.
🌸 Before the come of islam, people were indulged in the culture, traditions and practices of their parents. Prophet Mohamed ﷺ came to change all this, even people called him a poet, magician, possesed. They rejected him even they knew the truth in their hearts. They tried to stop him and his Message. But, even this, he ﷺ stayed steadfast to the Truth and the purity of his Message. He ﷺ and the people that followed him were view as strangers, abandoned, punished abd boycoted by theur own people. But they remained true to islam, knowing that Allah Azawajall is with them. They endured all with sabr, hoping to a big Reward.
🎀 Because of their faith, a lot of people and even sects within islam make the belivers to feel like strangers. The people that follow the Truth are usually small as numbers. As Muslims, we never unite against Qur'an and Sunnah, and this makes us to feel isolated, odd, but we hope at Rewards from Allah Azawajall. We conform with the Laws of Allah, not people.
📖 Prophet ﷺ said that Islam began as sth strange and it will go back at being strange. Strangers are those that correct people when they become corrupt, even those opposing them will be a lot.
🌸 In this dunya, the belivers are like strangers, but they never desppair even when they are humiliated, they don't seen dunya distinction. They stay steadfast in their deen, going away from any bid'ah, even we can feel alone.
🎀 Nowdays, the strangers are those who adhere to the Sunnah, that stay away from bid'ah, who follow the past scholars, know the reality of their times and stay away from any corruption that exists in their land. They strive to become better persons, to overcome their whims and desires, their mistakes, and live upon Qur'an and Sunnah, no matter what people think about them. They don't stay near people that mislead them and have sabr. They don't cate about people a long as tgeir deen is safe. They wish just for Allah's praise.
📖 Strangers are those who correct what was corupted from Sunnah and rectify people that are corrupt.
There are 2 types of people between the strangers:
1. Those that correct themselves while people are corrupt (inner strangers)
2. Those who purrifies Sunnah from people that are corrupted it (outer strangers).
🌸 Strangers have hearts that are attached to Paradise and Akhirah, not dunya. They are attached to their Creator, not people. They prefer to stay alone, in seclusion, as relief in their hearts come with seclusion with Allah Azawajall Alone.
This book is a beautiful one, giving us strength for the reality of the world we are living in
February 22, 2026
I read this book when I was in 10th class… or maybe 9th. I don’t remember exactly. But I remember what it did to me.
It talks about being a stranger — like the Prophet ﷺ said — live in this world as if you are a traveler, someone who just stopped for a while and will soon leave. This is not your permanent residence. You are not here to stay.
And when you really understand this… your whole way of seeing life changes.
You stop carrying grudges.
You stop feeding your ego.
You don’t get mad at people so easily anymore.
Because what are you even fighting for?
You are just a stranger here.
Whether people are good to you or bad to you — it doesn’t matter that much. You have nothing permanent here anyway. Everything is with Allah. No expectations. No heavy attachment.
This book gives you a reality check. A real one.
Before reading it, I was very conscious about this world — about achieving things, proving things, stressing over things. But after reading it, I started questioning myself… Why am I stressing so much for something that isn’t even permanent? I’m going to take nothing from here. Then why am I holding so tightly to everything?
It shifted my perspective completely.
If someone ever asks me to recommend one book for a Muslim — something that can change his perspective — I would say Return of the Strangers without thinking twice.
Every Muslim, at least once in their life, should read this book.
It reminds you who you are.
Just a traveler.
January 19, 2018
Some of the statements in the book could not be attributed and it contains a couple of stories and poetry.
Best quote so far though:
Do not hoard things for your soul, do not look down on any person because of your worldly allotment, carefully preserve the limits of Alaah, Mighty and Magnificient. At times when your base desires intensify; breathe the refreshing fragrance of doing what He loves, even if you find it strenuous; and finally I say to you an all-encompassing word: never desire any save Him by your deeds.
Best quote so far though:
Do not hoard things for your soul, do not look down on any person because of your worldly allotment, carefully preserve the limits of Alaah, Mighty and Magnificient. At times when your base desires intensify; breathe the refreshing fragrance of doing what He loves, even if you find it strenuous; and finally I say to you an all-encompassing word: never desire any save Him by your deeds.
November 15, 2024
Amazing book read- spiritually reviving and inspiriting. It helps one surround themselves with positive thinking even in stressful times and allows you to connect to you purpose again.
Read
March 24, 2025I really need some good book recs, nothing is letting me focus on these books
March 16, 2026
جوهرة صغيرة ذات فوائد عديدة
September 16, 2016
A moving exploration of some of the ahadith in which the Prophet (saw) spoke about 'the Strangers'.
December 29, 2016
This book is remarkable- well structured and easy to understand in order to put into practice. one of the books i will re -read over and over again IA.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews