. I (cont.)

However, its chain is weak due to the existence of a weak narrator, al-Muthna ibn al-Sibaah.2 Hence, for this commentary, emphasis will be placed on the first narration al-Nawawi presented and the second narration recorded from Musnad Ahmad above. Hadith with this meaning have also been recorded from Ali ibn Abu Taalib, Abu Saeed al-Khudri, Sahl ibn Saad and Abdullah ibn Jafar. However, the chains of all of these narrations are weak.3 General Comments about the Hadith Ibn al-Jauzi once said about this hadith, "I pondered over this hadith and it amazed me to the point that I almost became lightheaded ... What a pity for the one who is ignorant of this hadith and has little understanding of its meaning. ,,4 This hadith is filled with very important advice and guidance. Some of the most important aspects of the religion are covered in these words that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated to the young ibn Abbaas. If one follows the advice that the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave ibn Abbaas, he will find strength in this life and success in the Hereafter. 5 1 See Shuaih al-Amaoot, at al., footnotes to ihn Hanhal, vol. 5, pp. 19-20. 2 See ihn Rajah, Jaami, vol. 1, p. 460. 3 Ihn Muhammad, pp. 143-144; ihn Rajah, Jaami, vol. 1 , p. 461 . 4 Quoted in ihn Rajah, Noor, p. 35. 5 Al-Baitaar, p. 120. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi About the Narrator: lbn Abbaas Abdullah ibn Ab baas ibn Abdul Muttaalib was a cousin of the Prophet (peace be upon him). He was born three years before the Hijrah during the time when the tribe of Haashim was being boycotted by the rest of the people of Makkah. Abdullah ibn Abbaas grew up alongside the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet made a special supplication for him to become knowledgeable in the religion. He was an expert in ta/seer or Quranic commentary.' 1,660 hadith have been narrated on his authority. He was the fourth most prolific narrator of hadith. He was one of the "four Abdullahs," that were referred to earlier. He did not hear many hadith directly from the Prophet due to his youth but he would go to the houses of the other companions and wait for them to come out in order to hear hadith from them. He related hadith from Ali, Umar, Ubayy ibn Kaab, Muaadh ibn Jabal, Abu Dharr and others. Abdullah ibn Umar, Anas ibn Maalik and Ikrima related hadith from him. Even though he was younger than the other Companions, Umar ibn al­ Khattaab loved him very much and always wanted him to be close to his meetings due to his great knowledge. In the year 27 A.H. he took part in the jihad in North Africa. He was also appointed governor of Basrah during the caliphate of Ali. After Ali's death, he moved to Taif. He had lost his sight before his death. He died in Taif in the year 68, at the age of 7 1 . Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah led his funeral prayer. "One day I was riding behind the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)" The narration in Musnad Ahmad makes it clear that the two were riding upon the same animal, with the young ibn Abbaas behind the Prophet (peace be upon him). This incident is used as proof that it is permissible for two people to ride on one animal if the animal has the strength to carry them. Some have interpreted this opening phrase to mean that ibn Abbaas was walking behind the Prophet (peace be upon him). However, this 1 There is a Quranic commentary that is in wide circulation entitled Tanweer al-Miqbaas min Ta/seer ibn Abbaas. This ta/seer was compiled by al-Fairoozabaadi, who was famous for his dictionary. Unfortunately, the chain that he has for much of that work is one of the weakest chains recorded from ibn Abbaas. Another ta/seer of ibn Abbaas that is published is the Sahifah of Ali ibn Abu Talha. This is a much stronger source for ibn Abbaas' ta/seer except for the fact that Ali ibn Abu Talha never met ibn Abbaas. Hence, the chain is broken. See Raashid al-Rajaal, Ta/seer ibn Abbaas al-Musamma Saheefah Ali ibn Abi Talha an ibn Abbaas fl Ta/seer al-Quran al-Kareem (Beirut: Muassasat al-Kutub al-Thaqaafiyah, 1991), pp. 42-55. Hadith #19: "Young man, I shall teach you some words ... " interpretation is clearly contradicted by the narration in Musnad Ahmad, as was just noted. 1 An important point from this opening statement of ibn Abbaas is that this hadith is one of the few hadith that ibn Abbaas narrated directly from the Prophet (peace be upon him). He is showing that he heard it directly and recalled exactly what the Prophet (peace be upon him) told him. He even remembered the exact circumstances under which he was told that information.