What is the valuable book that documents the events of the fitna (strife) between Mu'awiya and Ali, may Allah be pleased with them both? And how can one begin reading books of Prophetic Hadith: with Sahih al-Bukhari or Riyad al-Salihin? And is it better to rush through reading or to deeply understand the book? And is it possible to create a schedule for reading Riyad al-Salihin or Sahih al-Bukhari?
Regarding the issue of tribulation (fitna), it is recommended to read books such as: "Al-Awasim min al-Qawasim" by Ibn al-Arabi, "The Age of the Rightly Guided Caliphate" by Akram al-Omari, "A Period from History" by Othman al-Khamis, and the historical collection by Ali al-Sallabi specifically on the caliphates of Uthman and Ali, and "Minhaj al-Sunnah" by Ibn Taymiyyah.
One should start with the smaller scholarly works before the larger ones, for example, reading "Riyadh al-Salihin" for beginners.
As for how to read, knowledge is sought for practice and to increase faith. It is advised to watch a lecture by Sheikh Muhammad Al-Munajjid titled: "How to Read a Book."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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