📖 Learning Adab Before Knowledge

Imam Malik famously advised a young student: "Learn adab (etiquette) before you learn knowledge."

Attending a Majlis of Hadith is not like attending a standard lecture or a casual conference. It is a deeply spiritual undertaking where the very words of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are being transmitted. As such, attendees must uphold the highest standards of outward conduct and inward reverence, mirroring the respect shown by the early generations of scholars.

🕌 Venue & Outward Conduct

The recital is hosted at Ashton Central Mosque (Hillgate St, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 9JA). As we will be gathering in a house of Allah, strict etiquette is required:

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  Ritual Purity (Wudu)Attendees are highly encouraged to remain in a state of ritual purity throughout the entire reading.Imam Malik considered it highly disrespectful to utter the words of the Prophet ﷺ without being in a state of physical purity, and would not teach Hadith without having performed Wudu first.
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  Absolute SilenceSilence is obligatory while the text is being recited. Side conversations, whispers, and phone usage are strictly forbidden.The Quran commands believers not to raise their voices above the Prophet's ﷺ voice. The scholars equated talking during the reading of a Hadith to talking over the Prophet ﷺ himself, which breaks the sanctity of the transmission.
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  Dress CodeAttendees should wear modest, clean, and loose-fitting Islamic attire appropriate for the Mosque. The wearing of perfume (itr) for men is highly encouraged.We are attending a royal gathering. Just as one dresses their best for a worldly dignitary, Imam Malik would don his finest clothes and perfume out of reverence before entering the Majlis to speak the Prophet's ﷺ words.
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  ChildrenWhile children are a blessing, only children who are mature enough to sit quietly for extended periods should attend the main hall. A dedicated Mother & Baby room will be available with an audio feed.The rapid pace and intense focus required for a 12-hour daily reading mean any sustained noise disrupts the concentration of the scholars and invalidates the listening (Sama') of nearby attendees.

📚 Preparation & Materials

To maximize the benefit of the gathering, attendees should arrive prepared. Bring a physical notebook and pen, as writing down the commentary of Shaykh Al-Yaqoubi is highly encouraged.