by Cii News
A region of the world laden with a rich Islamic legacy and that gave rise to giants of Islamic scholarship appears to be on a witch-hunt to censor works of Islamic thought and reading material.
In a supreme irony, the Sahih al Bukhari compilation of Ahadeeth, considered the most authentic book in Islam after the Qur’aan, which was curated by Imam Muhammad ibn Isma`il al-Bukhari RA, one of the wider ‘Russian’ Empire’s greatest sons, has now been earmarked by some within the country for banning due to its apparent “extremist” nature.
Russian Muslims are incensed by the development and have now reportedly formed a commission against the proposed ban.
“It is nonsensical to ban the books of hadith, Sahih Al-Bukhari, which is particularly important for the Muslims,” Russia Ulyanovsk Region’s Mufti Muhammed Baibikov commented.
The proposed measure is the latest manifestation of a censorship trend spearheaded by the Russian authorities which began almost 7 years ago.
Since Russia’s Federal List of Extremist Materials came into effect, a number of both contemporary and classic Islamic religious texts have been tentatively outlawed.
The list was enacted in July 2007 and as of December 2011 contained 1,058 items.
As per law, producing, storing or distributing any of the materials on the list within Russia shall be considered a criminal offense when the law is enacted next year.
Reports say the Islamic books that have been banned include the works of popular 20th century Turkish scholar Said Nursi, the famous “Fortress of the Muslim” book of Duas, parts of the Fadhaail e A’maal and certain biographies of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The list considers the Islamic works to equally problematic as books such as Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf and certain Jehovah’s Witness publications.
Particularly affected are Muslims in Russia’s recently annexed Crimea region who have been asked to destroy Islamic books and materials included on the blacklist, including copies of the Noble Qur’an and volumes of Sirah.
“The Religious Administration of Muslims of Crimea informs Muslim religious organizations, and society that Russia’s federal list of banned extremist materials extends over Crimea,” the Religious Administration of Muslims of Crimea said in a statement cited by the Qirim News Agency in August.
“Therefore distribution, production or storage of materials mentioned in the list is forbidden and will entail responsibility,” said a statement released on the Religious Administration’s website.
“Please study the list and take measures to eliminate prohibited materials if they exist,” the statement advised.
Among the literary items deemed extremist by the list are:
“The Book of Tawheed”, the author – Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Tamimi
“Through the prism of Islam,” the author – ‘Abd al-Hadi ibn Ali
Book of collected works of Said Nursi “Risale-i Nur” “Faith and man,”
“Fundamentals of Islam (Usul al-Aqeedah)”
“The Islamic Aqeedah (creed, belief, outlook) in the Holy Quran and the authentic sayings of the Prophet Muhammad”
“The Life of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam”
“The establishment of the laws of Allah”
“Personality of a Muslim”
“The Book of Monotheism”
The Life of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab”
“The need to comply” Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah “(sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)
“Recreating the Caliphate – the responsibility of the Muslims”
A number of publications by Hizb ut Tahrir
“Muhammad Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam” by Saifur Rahmaan Mubarakpuri
“Snapshots from the life of the companions of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)
The Book of Al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salah Ibn Uthaymeen “The Explanation of the Fundamentals of faith”
Collection of the Works of Ahmed Deedat
Biggest sins in Islam by Muhammad Salih Al Munajjid
“Zakat. His place in Islam. Fasting in Ramadan, its importance for Muslims”
“Economic System in Islam”
“Fadhail A’maal” Shaykh al Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakaria Kandehlevi
Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimi “Personality of a Muslim”
“Democracy. The system of disbelief” by Abdul Kadim Zallum
Sheikh Ali Al-Tantawi “Understanding Islam”
“Tafseer of Surah Al-Ahzab, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah”
“The Miracles of the Qur’an”
“The Life of the Prophet PBUH” by al-Mubarakpuri Safi al-Rahman
“Light of the Holy Quran (explanations and interpretations)” Volume 4
Popular science magazine “Caliphate”
“100 Tips for Islamic youth”
“On the question of clothing” (by Maulana Abul Ala Maududi)
Osman Nuri Topbas book series “In the light of the Holy Qur’an,” “The History of the Prophets”
“The Best of Women Khadija RA”
Ibn Hisham’s “Life of the Prophet Muhammad”
“40 Hadith of Imam al-Nawawi”
“Stories biographies of the Messenger of Allah”
“Fortress of the Muslim.“
Sayyid Qutb’s book “The future belongs to Islam”
“The Protocols of the Elders of Zion”
“Muhammad (peace be upon him) the natural successor to Christ“