Introduction (cont.)

This was done because the Arabic plural (ahaadeeth) would be strange for many English Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi readers. The common usage of hadiths is also difficult to pronounce or handle. Therefore, the word was left as hadith throughout the text. May Allah accept this deed and make it beneficial for all of its readers. Jamaal al-Din Zarabozo Nov. 1, 1998 Boulder, CO The Life of Imam al-Nawawi Imam al-Nawawi's Life The Life of al-Nawawi Before commenting on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi, it would be proper to introduce Imam al-Nawawi to the reader. It is important for Muslims to take the time to learn about the lives of the pious predecessors. The great scholars and pious individuals of the past can be great examples for the living. Their behavior and actions can have a great effect upon the hearts. Their examples demonstrate that in every age, there were pious Muslims who followed the way of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his noble Companions, without compromise and without giving into the desires of this world. They demonstrate to the Muslims of today that the guidance of the Quran and hadith was sufficient for them to lead their lives in manners pleasing to Allah, although they did not sit with and learn directly from the Prophet (peace be upon him) or even his close Companions. Today, Muslims face many of the same problems, temptations and difficulties that these pious predecessors faced. The pious predecessors read and intensely studied the Quran and hadith to attain guidance for their lives. They applied the Quran and sunnah in their lives under various circumstances. What they derived from the Divine Guidance should be considered a light for all of those who come after them who face circumstances similar to theirs. There are many aspects of al-Nawawi's life, in particular, that may set an example for those living today. In his introduction to his Master's Thesis on al-Nawawi, Ahmad al-Haddaad echoed these views when he stated, The third reason [for writing about al-Nawawi] was to bring to the forefront the life of this extraordinary man who lived in a later time. It is hoped that this biography will bring to us and the coming generation great benefits with respect to seriousness and striving for knowledge, with respect to asceticism and fearing Allah, and with respect to bravery in publicly speaking the truth. The lives of the pious have the greatest effect on those who hear about them. Allah has certainly spoken the truth when He said, "And all that We relate to you (0 Muhammad) of the news of the messengers Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi [is] in order that We may thereby make your heart strong and firm" (Hood 120).1 The goal here is to be brief. Therefore, only some aspects of his life will be highlighted. 2 Background to al-Nawawi's Life: Islam in the Seventh Century of the Hijrah The Seventh Century of Islam was a very turbulent time, especially for the area of Sham ("Greater Syria"). It was during this Century that the Mongols invaded from the East and the Crusaders controlled part of the Muslim lands from the West. In the year 656 AH, the Mongols invaded and conquered Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasids. In 658, however, under the reign of al­ Mudhafar Qutuz ibn Abdullah and military leadership of al-Dhaahir Baibars, the Muslims handed the Mongols a stunning defeat at Ain Jaloot. Also, in 679, when the Mongols again tried to conquer Aleppo, they were defeated. From that time onwards, Muslim forces continued to battle and make headway against the Mongols. Similarly, the Crusaders were defeated and removed from Sham in the year 691 . By the grace and mercy of Allah, these turbulent times did not mean the end oflslamic studies for the inhabitants of that area. In fact, when Noor al­ Deen Zanki ( d. 569) entered Sham he found that the light of learning had been extinguished. Therefore, he made a concerted effort to encourage the people of that area to renew their studies of Islam. In the process, he opened many schools for the study of Islam. In fact, he opened the first Dar al-Hadith in Damascus, Aleppo and elsewhere. This same spirit of spreading knowledge and establishing educational institutions was carried on by those who ruled after Noor al-Deen Zanki, especially Saif al-Deen Qalaawoon (d. 689). Therefore, one does not find a shortage of scholars and learning even during that turbulent century oflslamic history. Al-Nawawi's Birth and Upbringing Muhi al-Deen' Abu Zakariya2 Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Hizaami al-Nawawi was born in 63 1 A.H. (1233 C.E.) in the village of Nawa, south of Damascus, 1 Ahmad al-Haddaad, al-lmaam al-Nawawi wa Athaaruhu fl al-hadith wa Uloomih (Beirut: Daar al-Bashaair al-Islaamiyah, 1992), p. 7.