. J; 1," (cont.)

were" - "ask me" - "I would surely grant him," the J and the 0 imply stress, emphasis or certainty - "seek refuge in me" Takhreej From among the famous "six collections,"1 this hadith was only recorded by Imam al-Bukhari. Al-Bukhari recorded it in "The Book of Hadith affecting the Emotions" in the chapter on humility. At the end of the baditb, one finds the following words that al-Nawawi omitted from his 40 Hadith, "And I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death and I hate to harm him."2 1 There are six collections of hadith that, due to historical events, began to be grouped together and referred to as "the six". Usually, "the six" is a reference to the following works: Sahih al­ al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan al-Nasaai, Sunan Abu Dawood, Sunan al-Tirmidhi and Sunan ibn Maajah. (Some replace Sunan ibn Maajah with the Muwatta of Maalik while others replace it with Sunan al-Daarimi.) Some even refer to these works as, "the six authentic collections." Although it is true that the vast majority of the hadith in these six works are sahih or hasan, it is a bit of an exaggeration to refer to the six works as a whole as, "the six authentic collections," as this makes people believe that all of the badith that they contain are authentic. 2 It is interesting to note that al-Nawawi also omitted those final words from his collection Riyadh al-Saaliheen ("Gardens of the Righteous"). This author is not aware of any explanation for this action on his part. 1 130 Hadith #38: "Whoever Shows Enmity to . . . " The hadith is also recorded by al-Baihaqi in al-Zuhd al-Kabeer, Sunan al-Kubra and in some of his other works. Al-Baghawi also recorded it in both Sharh al-Sunnah and Masaabeeh al-Sunnah. Ibn Rajah points out that the chain of this hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari has been criticized by some scholars. This is because ibn Kiraamah has singularly narrated this hadith from Khaalid ibn Mukhlad. There is some question about Khaalid's status as a narrator of hadith.1 In general, the hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari are the cream of the crop of authentic hadith. It is very difficult to level any type of criticism toward them. Concerning those relatively few hadith that have been criticized, the criticisms have been easily responded to by other scholars. This particular hadith, though, was problematic for many scholars, to the point that al-Dhahabi said, That hadith is very ghareeb (strange). If it were not for the great respect for [al-Bukhari's] al-Jaami al-Sahih, I would have counted it among the rejected reports of Khaalid ibn Mukhlad.2 The hadith does have supporting evidence in hadith narrated from Aisha, ibn Abbaas, Abu Umaamah, Anas ibn Maalik, Ali ibn Abu Taalib and Hudhaifah. Most of those chains have some weakness. Many of the problems with them are major problems. However, there are some with minor problems. Therefore, taken as a whole, those with minor problems can support one another to make the hadith acceptable.3 General Comments About the Hadith The importance of this hadith lies in its describing how one can become one of Allah's auliyaa (devoted servants and beloved). It describes the steps that need be followed and also describes the magnificent results that accrue to one who follows those steps. Many important points can be derived from this hadith. It is, therefore, deserving of a very extensive commentary. Al-Shaukaani once noted, The commentators on this hadith, may Allah have mercy on them, did not give this hadith the full treatment that it deserves. lbn Hajr, may Allah have mercy on him, only commented on this hadith in Fath al-Baari for about three pages, although his 1 Ibn Rajab, Jaami, vol. 2, p. 330. 2 al-Dbahabi, Meezaan, vol. 1, p. 641 3 Cf., ibn Muhammad, pp. 2 1 0-2 14. Al-Albaani has discussed this hadith in detail and has concluded that it is authentic. See al-Albaani, Silsilaat al-Ahadeeth al-Saheeha, vol. 4, pp, 1 83193. 1 131 . Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi commentary is the most comprehensive commentary of al­ al-Bukhari, with the most detail and benefit to it. 1 Therefore, al-Shaukaani himself wrote a book explaining this hadith, covering some three hundred pages. This hadith is one of many hadith that demonstrate the importance of interpreting the Prophet's words in the light of the entire teachings of the Quran and sunnah. This hadith has been misinterpreted by many over the years. Furthermore, it has been misinterpreted in very dangerous ways; such misinterpretations can actually lead one to blasphemous acts or beliefs. About the Narrator: Abu Huraira Abu Huraira was discussed under Hadith Number 9. "Allah the Almighty has said" This is a qudsi hadith. The third in this collection. A discussion of the concept of qudsi hadith may be found in the commentary to Hadith Number 24.