The Balance Between Sunnah and Innovation by Muhammad Abdullah Daraz

About the author of Al-Mizan (The Balance)

Sheikh “Muhammad Abdullah Draz” was born in a village in the Kafr el-Sheikh Governorate in rural Egypt in 1894 CE, and grew up in a home of learning and piety. His father was a renowned jurist and linguist of wide learning who wrote notable commentaries on Imam al-Shatibi's “Al-Muwafaqat”, and his grandfather was an Azhari sheikh whose circle was attended by students of Islamic law eager to draw on his knowledge. Among the fruits of this scholarly environment is Sheikh Draz's book “Al-Mizan bayn al-Sunna wal-Bid'a” (The Balance Between Sunnah and Innovation), published on 01/01/2010 by Dar al-Qalam. It is considered one of the most important books in its field, as it contains a comprehensive explanation of the Sunnah and of religious innovation (bid'a), and it is said that it can take the place of other books while no other book can take its place

Sheikh Draz continued his education after obtaining the Alimiyya degree in 1916 CE, learning French at night schools until he mastered it, and he put this mastery to use in the service of his country, touring foreign embassies to oppose the crimes of the British occupation and to make clear the Egyptian nation's right to freedom. He also responded in the French press to the slanders some Orientalists had raised against Islam

Sheikh Draz worked as a teacher at the “Alexandria Azhari Institute” until 1928 CE, then moved to the newly founded Azhar colleges as a lecturer in 1930 CE. He was loved by his students and colleagues alike for his noble character and great humility, despite his vast knowledge

Key topics of Al-Mizan 

On the Linguistic Origin / Making Reason the Arbiter in Religion / Making Whim the Arbiter in Religion / Making Whim the Arbiter in Rejecting Authentic Hadiths /Ignorance of the Objectives of Sharia / Lack of Grounding in the Science of Arabic