. J i ? . .r--J i ? (cont.)

This shows how Allah blessed and graced this man. Allah blessed him in his time. He gave him the ability to complete in one day what it takes everyone else two days to do, and in one year what takes others two years to accomplish. This is the only way we can explain this tremendous undertaking that made him one of the greatest scholars of his time in about ten years. In fact, it made him the leader (Imam) of his time. This is also the only way we can explain all of his wonderful, detailed and radiant writings in a span of time that lasted no more than fifteen years. He spent all of his lifetime and living hours in learning, teaching and writing.2 1 Quoted in al-Diqr, p. 28. 2 al-Diqr, p. 34. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi His Austerity He led a very austere and simple life. Some narrations state that all the clothing he possessed was a turban and a long gown. He did not desire any of the pleasures of this world. At one point in time, he would not eat anything except some cake and olives that his father would send him from time to time from Nawa. One of the reasons for this was that he was certain that such food came from permissible sources. He would refuse even permissible things out of fear that they may lead him to doubtful matters. Indeed, he refused to eat any of the fruit of Damascus because he knew that the orchards, many of which were endowments and for orphans and others, were not handled properly and he feared that the food he would be eating was not from a permissible source. Another reason he gave for not eating that fruit was that much of it was handled through sharecropping and there was a difference of opinion among the scholars concerning the validity of sharecropping. In a footnote, al-Haddaad points out that, in reality, all of those matters boiled down to one thing: al-Nawawi was afraid to involve himself in any matter concerning which there was even the slightest doubt. 1 Al-Nawawi desired to live a simple and pure life, although it would have been possible for him to live otherwise, given his teaching position and influence. Chief Justice Sulaimaan al-Zara'i narrated that he visited al-Nawawi on the day of Eid. Al-Nawawi was eating some kind of broth with no meat. He asked Sulaimaan to eat with him and he said that it was not appealing to him. Sulaimaan's brother went and brought some roasted meat and sweets. Sulaimaan told al-Nawawi to eat from it but he refused. Sulaimaan said to him, "O my brother, is this forbidden?" He said, "No, but it is the food of the tyrants [and extravagant]." In this matter, he was following the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who could have enjoyed many of the bounties of this world, but, instead, his household would go days without cooking any meat or having their full of bread for two days straight.2 It seems that al-Nawawi did not consider such food as impermissible, in general, as obviously the Prophet (peace be upon him) ate such foods. However, it seems that he was never sure that their source was permissible, so he refused to eat such foods.3 He was also well-known for his modesty. Part of his modesty included never being served by any of his students. At the same time, he continued to serve his students even into his old age. Al-Nawawi would fast perpetually (every day except the days of Eid).4 In general, he would only eat once a day, after the last obligatory prayer of the 1 al-Haddaad, p. 87. 2 Al-Haddaad, p. 90. 3 Al-Diqr, p. 129. 4 There is a difference of opinion concerning perpetual fasting. Al-Nawawi seemed to be of the view that it is permissible as long as one has the ability to do it and as long as one does not fast The Life of Imam al-Nawawi day; and he would only drink once a day, before dawn. When he drank, he would not drink cold water out of fear that it may make him drowsy. Al­ Haddaad argues that this was done by al-Nawawi so that he would dedicate all of his time to work and worship instead of the pleasures of this life. Al­ Haddaad writes that it is said that knowledge is not attained by rest. In fact, he states, a person will not receive even part of knowledge unless he dedicates all of himself to it. If a person dedicates all of himself to knowledge, then he may achieve a portion of it. Al-Haddaad states that perhaps this was al-Nawawi's perception of knowledge. He left his heart completely free and open to receive the blessed knowledge of the religion oflslam.1 He did not accept a stipend for his teaching. It seems that he may have accepted money for the first year or two.