An-Nawawi's Forty Hadith

by Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi, Ezzeddin Ibrahim, Denys Johnson-Davies

Overview

This collection of forty hadith by one of the most famous compilers of hadith is generally regarded as the most popular anthology and the best introduction to the study of the Prophet's sayings which, together with the Qur'an, contain the essential teachings of Islam. The Arabic original has been printed alongside the English translation for the benefit of those with a knowledge of Arabic. The translation, by two scholars working in close collaboration, combines accuracy with readability.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780946621651
Publisher:	Islamic Texts Society
Publication date:	08/01/1997
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	132
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Yahya b. Sharaf al-Nawawi (d. 676/1277), although best known for his work on hadith, was also the Imam of the later Shafi’i school of jurisprudence, and widely acknowledged as the intellectual heir of Imam Shafi’i. The Islamic Texts Society have also published his other work, Al-Nawawi’s Manual of Islam.

The late Ezzeddin Ibrahim taught and held educational posts in several Middle Eastern countries and was well known as a writer and lecturer on Islamic subjects. Along with Denys Johnson-Davies, he also co-translated Forty Hadith Qudsi and The Goodly Word: Al-Kalim al-Tayyib, both published by the Islamic Texts Society.


The late Denys Johnson-Davies was a well-known translator having published more than twenty-five volumes of short stories. Aside from the above two titles co-translated with Ezzeddin Ibrahim, he has also translated Al-Ghazali on the Manners Relating to Eating, as part of the Islamic Texts Society’s Al-Ghazali Series.

Read an Excerpt

HADITH 2


   Also on the authority of 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:


   One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down by the Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). Resting his knees against his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs, he said: O Muhammad, tell me about Islam. The Messenger of Allah (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: Islam is to testify that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to perform the prayers, to pay the zakat, to fast in Ramadan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so. He said: You have spoken rightly, and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoke rightly. He said: Then tell me about iman. He said: It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in divine destiny, both the good and the evil thereof. He said: You have spoken rightly. He said: Then tell me about ihsan. He said: It is to worship Allah as though you are seeing Him, and while you see Him not yet truly He sees you. He said: Then tell me about the Hour. He said: The one questioned about it knows no better than the questioner. He said: Then tell me about its signs. He said: That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress and that you will see the barefooted, naked, destitute herdsmen competing in constructing lofty buildings. Then he took himself off and I stayed for a time. Then he said: O 'Umar, do you know who the questioner was? I said: Allah and His Messenger know best. He said: It was Gabriel, who came to you to teach you your religion.


   It was related by Muslim.

Table of Contents

1. Translators' Introduction in English
2. Translators' Introduction in Arabic
3. Imam an-Nawawi's Introduction in Arabic
4. The Hadith: Arabic text with Facing English Translation

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