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I
Objective of Compiling this Work
The objective of establishing the Jamāʾat-i-Islāmī as explained in its constitution is:
Clearly, it is necessary for those who adopt this vision to present to the world a resolve rooted in faith, spiritual zeal and sincere determination. Their word and deed must correspond, and they must be the embodiment of good deeds and true pictures of sincerity. For the sake of this lofty aim, they must be ready to sacrifice their most beloved possessions, and they must have in their sights neither worldly profit nor material benefit, but only the Divine pleasure.
In order to keep these important requirements of the vision fresh in the minds, the Central Majlis-i-Shūrā of Jamāʿat-i-Islāmī decided quite some time ago to establish such training centres in whose curricula the study of the Qur’ān and the study of Ḥadīth would occupy prominent and distinct positions.
For Qur’ānic study, one can benefit from Tafhīm al-Qur’ān1 and other reliable tafsīrs and commentaries. However, for the study of Ḥadīth, as far as my knowledge goes, there was no comprehensive and concise collection in Urdu that would be totally suitable and beneficial for the nurturing of character and the building of personality. Therefore, keeping this objective in mind, this work has been compiled.
Features of this Compilation
1. In selecting the
Aḥdādīth, the idea has been that all aspects of human life related to individual and collective personality and morality should be illuminated in the light of the
Sunnah of the Messenger,
, and that in this respect no important example should be neglected. It can be gauged by glancing at the index of topics that, from individual dealings to international relations, there is no significant aspect of life that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family and grant them peace, has not been illuminated with guidance by his words and deeds.
2. In this compilation in general, those teachings of morality and matters of Fiqh (Islamic Law) have been included upon which the entire Islamic nation is agreed. As far as possible, I have avoided going into matters of detail about which there is disagreement: such a need can be fulfilled by a separate work.
3. (a) Righteous personality and pure character spring from sound beliefs and ideas, and are polished and refreshed precisely by the rituals of worship established in the Sharīʿah.2 On this basis, Aḥdādīth dealing with these two topics have been placed first in this collection.
(b) A Muslim’s fundamental vision is to establish Islam in this world. However, this duty of establishing Islam cannot be fulfilled in a real sense unless the person is aware of the profound principles of daʿwah and tablīgh (calling to Allah and sharing the message of Islam). Therefore, narrations regarding these two topics have also been placed before the chapter on morality.
4. By studying the Aḥdādīth, filled with jewels of wisdom, that constitute this collection, it can be seen how worthless is the position of those people who pick and choose some narrations out of context and then pronounce them to be repugnant to reason and morality.3 They have been spreading false propaganda against the entire treasure of Ḥadīth. This is irrational as it is ignoble.
It is an accepted principle of
Uṣūl al-Ḥadīth that if any narration, in the wealth of
Ḥadīth literature that has reached us through reliable means, apparently contradicts the intellect, then one can ponder and reflect and, as a last resort, abstain from commenting. However, this does not mean that on the basis of a few such narrations, this entire treasure of righteous guidance should be thrown away! This collection is like a mirror in which the entire spectrum of the teachings of the Prophet
can be seen.
5. In translation and commentary, an effort has been made to use plain language and explanation for the ordinary mind, and to mention only concepts that are free from the confusion and complexity of philosophy and kalām. In this way, not only will the students at the training centres benefit, but this collection will also be beneficial for the ordinary Muslim who has only received a basic education.
It cannot be claimed that this collection is comprehensive, covering every field of human activity and behaviour. However, every care has been taken not to leave out any major area of human endeavour and education.
The respected readers, especially the honoured people of knowledge, are requested, upon finding any shortcoming or mistake, to alert the author accordingly and to keep him informed of their sincere suggestions and constructive advice.
I pray to Allah that He makes this humble attempt a means of happiness and success in the Hereafter for me, and that He grants travellers on the path of Truth the capability to derive as much benefit as possible from it. Āmīn!
10th Rabīʿ al-Thānī, 1376 ʿAbd al-Ghaffār Ḥasan
14th November, 1956
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2
Introduction to the Sciences of Ḥadīth
Not all the necessary and important issues in Ḥadīth can be covered by this brief introduction: that would require a separate and independent work. The following brief sketch of the gathering and compilation of Ḥadīth is presented, giving an idea of the stages through which the priceless treasure of the Prophetic Ḥadīth has passed during thirteen centuries in reaching us. It also indicates who those pure souls were who dedicated their entire lives to transmitting these treasures of wisdom and guidance to future generations, and who would even risk their lives in this path if required.
2.1 THREE METHODS OF PRESERVING ḤADĪTH
The
Aḥdādīth of the Messenger of Allah
have reached us through three reliable methods:
1. The practice of the Ummah.
2. Written memory-aids and compilations.
3. Memory-aided narration and transmission, i.e. the continuous sequence of study and teaching.
2.2 FOUR PHASES OF ḤADĪTH PRESERVATION
In this sense, the total period of collection and arrangement, and of composition and compilation of Ḥadīth, can be divided into fo...
