بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

 

18 Sha’bān, 1444 AH (Saturday, 11 March , 2023

We finally reach the ninth century, and the first half of this century is when the books of ‘Ulum al-Ḥadith reached its peak.

NINTH CENTURY

Ash-Shadal Fayyāḥ min ‘Ulūm Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ

Burhān ad-Dīn Abnāsī (725 AH – 802 AH) wrote what could be considered as the third Nukat of Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ.

In this book, he combined and condensed the two books of ‘Allāmah ’Irāqī that we will discuss about later. He also added some of his own points. 

A shortfall is that it could become confusing to decipher and differentiate his words from the words of ‘Alllāmah ‘Irāqī. That causes the book to lose some of his benefit.

It has been published by Maktabat ar-Rushd in Riyāḍ in 1998. It is with the Taḥqīq of Fatḥi Hilāl. This is in two volumes and in 814 pages.

Click here for the PDF.

Whilst we will quote from this book at times, if a person has the books of ‘Allāmah ‘Irāqī, there is no need to get this.

Books of Sirāj ad-Dīn, ‘Umar ibn Alī ibn al-Mulaqqin

1. Al-Muqnī Fī ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth

This is a summary of Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ written by Sirāj ad-Dīn, ‘Umar ibn Alī ibn al-Mulaqqin (723 – 804 AH). 

‘Allāmah Ibn al-Mullaqqin had a huge library and he read most of his books, which means that he became an expert in this science, and he also had access to information which others did not have access to. Together with condensing the book of ‘Allāmah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ, the author included rare gems, he added many important points and he also provided additional examples. He quotes a lot from the books before ‘Allāmah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ. He correctly says in his introduction:

وقد ‌وقع ‌الاختيار بفضل الله وقوته على تلخيصه وتقريبه وتنقيحه وتهذيبه مع زيادات عليه مهمة وفوائد جمة لا تلفى مسطورة ولا تكاد توجد في الكتب المشهورة من الله تعالى بالوقوف عليها وتفضل بإفادة المتشوقين إليها. (المقنع في علوم الحديث – 1 / 40)

He continues on the same sequence as ‘Allāmah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ.

It was published in 1992 by ‘Abdullāh Yūsuf al-Jadī’ in 1443 / 1992 in 822 pages. 

Click here for the PDF.

We will quote extensively from this book in this session next term, in shā Allāh.

2. At-Tadhkirah Fī ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth

This was also written by Ibn al-Mullaqqin, and it is actually the summary of Al-Muqnī’. This book serves more like a glossary of terms. He simply mentions a term, and prevents a very basic definition. He does not elaborate on the meaning nor does he present any examples. In fact, at times he only mentions a term and does not even mention any definition. 

This book consists of 73 Anwā’.

Interestingly, he wrote this book in only two hours. This is an ideal book that could be taught as a primer and first book in ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth.

There are many prints of this book. It was published by Dār ‘Ammār in Jordan with the Taḥqīq of ‘Aliyy Ḥasan in 1988. It is in 29 pages.

Click here for the PDF.

We ought to do this book under the assumption that the participants might find it hard to absorb and understand everything of Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ. But after noticing the Isti’dād of the participants, we will rather skip this.

Maḥāsin al-Iṣṭilāḥ

This was written by Abū Ḥafs, ‘Umar ibn Raslān al-Bulqīnī (724 AH – 805 AH). 

This is the fourth Nukat of Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ.

‘Allāmah Bulqīnī mentions the text of Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ. He then says: Fā’idah, or he says: Ziyādah, or he mentions both: Fā’idah wa Ziyādah. He then mentions his point. 

He attempted to respond to a few of the objections of ‘Allāmah Mugulṭāī. But he also quoted a lot from ‘Allāmah Mughulṭāi without giving him any credit. 

At times he is very brief, and at times he goes into detail. 

He does not have a standard method of presenting information. The amount that he comments on every naw’ also differs drastically.

There are many prints of this book.

This book was researched and edited by ‘Āishah Bint Shāṭi, and she published it together with Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ it 1974. It was then copied by Dār al-Ma’ārif, and they published it in 2008. 

Dār Ibn Ḥazam published this book with the Taḥqīq of ‘Abdul Qādir Muṣṭafa and this is in 759 pages.

It was also published by Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah with the annotation of Khalīl Manṣūr.

Click here for the PDF.

Books of ‘Allāmah Zayn ad-Dīn al-‘Irāqī (d. 806 AH)

‘Allāma Abū ‘l-Faḍl, ‘Abdur Raḥīm ibn al-Ḥusayn al-‘Irāqī (725 AH – 806 AH), famously known as Al-‘Irāqī, was one of the leading Muḥaddithīn of his era, who has contributed many works for this sciences and produced numerous students who all became accomplished scholars.

The four books that he wrote in this relation became the most important books for those who came thereafter. These books are:

1. At-Taqyīd wa ‘l-Īḍāḥ limā Uṭliqa wa Ughliqa min Kitāb ibn as-Ṣalāḥ

This is the fifth Nukat written on Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ.

There are two primary issues that the author considered:

Defending ‘Allāmah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ and responding to objections raised against him.

Explaining difficult phrases. 

As such, this is a book that offers comments on selected texts.

There are 18 anwā’ on which ‘Allāmah ‘Irāqī did not offer any comment.

He does also elaborate on the differences between the Muḥaddīthīn and the Uṣūliyyīn, and at times he delves in the linguistic intricacies and definitions of difficult words.

Due to the importance of this book, there are many prints of it. 

It was published many decades back with the research of Muḥammad Rāghib aṭ-Tabbākh. 

In 2004 it was published with the research of Dr Uṣamah ibn ‘Abdillāh Khayyāṭ. This is in two huge volumes which equals to 1604 pages. This print would be ideal for those who want the Kitāb separately.

In 2008, It has also been published together with the Nukat of Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar. This is by Dār ibn al-Qayyim, with the Taḥqīq of Ṭāriq ibn ‘Iwaḍallāh, and it is in 5 volumes. We are using this print.

Click here for the PDF.

We will, in shā Allāh, quote all the essential points of this book. It is worth it for every student to have a hard copy of this book.

2. At-Tabṣirah Wa ‘t-Tadhkirah Fī ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth

This is the entire Muqaddimah in poetic form. It is the second poetry of ‘Allāmah Ibn as-Ṣalāḥs book. The author wrote the entire book in a thousand and two verses. Thus, it became famously known as the Alfiyyah of ‘Irāqī.

This became the most popular poetry, thanks to its many commentaries and numerous institutes where they teach this rather than the original book, imposing upon students to memorize all thousand verses.

It is published with the Taḥqīq of ‘Arabī Firyāṭī and Māhir Yāsīn al-Faḥl and was printed by Dār al-Minhāj in 1425 AH, and republished in 1428 AH. Both prints are around 200 pages. With the competence of the editors, together with using nine manuscripts and getting a high end publishing house to print this, this print is undoubtedly the best print.

Click here for the PDF.

It is highly recommended for those students with average memories to attempt to memorise this. Those with good memories should definitely memorise it, as a first step for gaining expertise in this science.

The commentaries of this Alfiyyah became some of the best works on ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth.

3. Sharḥ at-Tabṣirah wa ‘t-Tadhkirah

Allāmah ‘Irāqī wrote this commentary on his Alfiyyah. He first wrote a much larger commentary, but when he realised that it is too huge, he then wrote this moderate commentary. He describes this second commentary by saying:

ثم شرعت في شرح لها متوسط غير مفرط ولا مفرط، يوضح مشكلها، ويفتح مقفلها، ‌ما ‌كثر فأمل، ولا قصر فأخل، مع فوائد لا يستغني عنها الطالب النبيه، وفرائد لا توجد مجتمعة إلا فيه، جعله الله تعالى خالصا لوجهه الكريم، ووسيلة إلى جنات النعيم. )شرح التبصرة والتذكرة ألفية العراقي – 1 / 98)

The commentary indeed fulfils this description accurately. It is not too detailed, nor is it too concise. The author has fulfilled his objective of trying to explain the Alfiyyah without too much detail.  

In his commentary, he:

1. Explains the difficult words in the poem, 

2. Clarifies the antecedents of the pronouns,

3. Explicates what is obscure,

4. Mentions the diacritical marks where needed,

5. Elaborates on the principle,

6. Presents the views of other scholars,

7. Strengthens his arguments with examples and proofs.

The book has an easily flow and the presentation is ideal.

There are numerous different prints. 

Ṣalāḥ Fatḥi Halal researched it and it was published by Maktabat ar-Rushd in 1998.

Māhir Faḥl and ‘Abdul Laṭīf Hamīm had their editions published by Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah in 2002, giving this notorious publishing house the opportunity to boast with the best print. It is in two volumes and in 1048 pages.

Click here for Volume 1 and here for volume 2.

If Allāh wills, we hope to refer to this very frequently in our lessons of Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ.

4. Naḍm Kitāb al-Iqtirāḥ

‘Allāmah ‘Irāqī took the Iqtirāḥ of Ibn Daqiq al-‘Īd and put this into poetic form.

He did not official give a name to this book.

Consisting of only 427 verses, this is less than half the size of the Alfiyyah. 

‘Allāmah ‘Irāqī was a master in poetry and an expert in ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth. That makes this poetry the best average poem, and it is ideal for those who want to memorise poetry but they have weaker memories.

This has been published by Dār ibn Ḥazam in Beirut in 2006. This was with the Taḥqīq of ‘Abdul Qādir ibn ‘Ābidī. It comprises 65 pages.

Click here for the PDF.

These are the four books of ‘Allāmah ‘Irāqī, and it is worth it for any student specialising in Ḥadīth to most definitely get these books.

Sharf aṭ-Ṭālib fī Asnal Maṭālib

This is a commentary of the Gharāmī written by Abūl ‘Abbās, Aḥmad ibn Ḥasan al-Qasanṭīnī (d. 810 AH), who is commonly known as Ibn Qunfudh or Ibn al-Khaṭīb.

The author was unaware of the previous commentary of Ibn ‘Abdil Hādī. Hence, he assumed that he is the first to write a commentary on the Gharāmī. Technically, he is the first, since the prior commentary was so concise. Or, we can say that he was the first to write a proper detailed commentary. 

For his commentary, he used the following three books as his basis:

1. Ma’rifah ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth of Imām Ḥākim,

2. Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ

3. Al-Ilmā’ of Qāḍī ‘Iyāḍ.

The author intended that this book should be a primer, and therefore he planned the book accordingly, not making it too lengthy. Yet, this book is regarded as probably one of the most detailed commentaries on the Gharamī.

Being a book for beginners, he fills the book with examples and explained difficult words.

He adds numerous chapters to the Gharāmī, like: Kitābah al-Ḥadīth an-Nāsikh wal Mansūkh, Ma’rifah aṣ-Ṣaḥābah, Riwāyah al-Ḥadīth bil Ma’nā, Ma’rifah at-Tābi’ī, Akābir minr Ruwāḥ, etc.

This book has been published by Maktabah Rushd in Riyāḍ ibn 2003 with the research of ‘Abdul ‘Azīz Ṣaghīr Dukhān. It is in 296 pages.

Dībāj al Mudhhab fī Muṣṭalaḥ al Hadith 

This book is also known as: Al-Mukhtaṣar fī Muṣṭalaḥ al-Ḥadīth, and we have spoken about it previously. The author, ‘Alīyy ibn Muḥammad Jurjānī (740 AH – 816 AH) summarized two books of ‘Allāmah Ṭībī:

1. Al-Khulāṣah Fī Uṣūl al-Ḥadīth

2. Al-Kāshif ‘an Ḥaqāiq at-Tanzīl (annotations on Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ)

It is a small and very concise text. The author only sufficed on the preferred views.

There are two huge commentaries

1. Ḍafr al-Amānī 

2. Sharh al-Dībāj al Mudhhab fī Muṣṭalaḥ al-Ḥadīth of Muḥammad at-Tabrīzī, aka Mullā Ḥanafī. This is published by Maktabah Azhariyya, with the Taḥqīq of ‘Alī Maḥfūḍ.

Manḍūmah ‘Ilm al-Ḥadīth

This is a very concise poem consisting of only 35 couplets. It is written by the great lexicographer, Abū Ṭāhir, Muḥammad ibn Ya’qūb Shīrāzī Firūzābādī.

In this short poem the author explained 20 Anwā’ of ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth. Being an expert in Arabic, the author chose easy words and gave it a beautiful flow.

It is published by Abū Shu’bah Sanabādī. A commentary of it has been written by Sulaymān ibn Yaḥyā ibn ‘Umar Maqbūl al-Ahdal, and the title is: al-Manhal ar-Rawī ‘alā Manḍumah al-Majd al-Lughwī.

Abū Shāmil, Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad ash-Shumunnī

Abū Shāmil, Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad ash-Shumunnī (766 Ah – 821 AH), a student of Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar, wrote four books on ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth:

1. Al-‘Ālī ar-Rutbah Naḍm an-Nukhbah

This is the entire Nukhbah al-Fikar in poetic form (We will speak about Nukhbah al-Fikar later, because the author of Nukhbah passed away after this student of his. We are mentioning the books in chronological order according to the date of demise of the authors) It consists of 205 lines of poetry, and it is the very first poem of Nukhbah. He completed this book just 2 years after his respected teacher wrote Nukhbah. 

This poem has been printed separately by Dār al-Bukhārī in 1415 AH, with the Taḥqīq of Muḥammad al-Jazāirī.

2. Natījah an-Naḍar Fī Nukhbah al-Fikar

This is the first commentary of Nukhbah al-Fikar. He wrote this on the instruction of his teacher.

The author paid attention:

1. To explain the linguistics of each word

2. Present examples

3. Cite from earlier scholars

This commentary has been published by Dār al-Minhāj ib Saudī in 1431. This is with the Taḥqīq of Murād ibn Khalīfah Sa’īdī. It is in 328 pages.

3. Bughyah aṭ-Ṭālib al-Ḥathīth Fī Ma’rifah ‘Ilm al-Muṣṭalaḥ

This is a short poem in 21 verse. It does not have the customary introduction comprising of praises of Allāh and Ṣalawāt on the Prophet (ṣallAllāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam). This is a simple and each poem.

4. Sharḥ Bughyah aṭ-Ṭālib al-Ḥathīth Fī Marifah ‘Ilm Muṣṭalaḥ al-Ḥadīth

This is a short and concise commentary, despite that author describing it as an average size commentary. He really only focuses on what is necessary, and he only provides three examples throughout the book. He also explains the linguistics of his peom.

This commentary has been published by Dār as-Ṣalām in Cairo in 2013, with the research of ‘Alā ad-Dīn Āl Sarūr. It is only in 92 pages.

Books of Abū Zur‘ah , Aḥmad ibn ‘Abdur Raḥim al-‘Irāqī (762 AH – 826 AH)

The son of the famous ‘Allāmah ‘Irāqī, Abū Zur‘ah wrote two books that concerns selected Anwā’ of ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth

1. Al-Mudallisīn

In this book he simply mentions the names of the Mudallisīn who ‘Allāmah ‘Alā’ī mentioned and he added a few others names. In total, there are 80 entries.

He closes the Kitāb with two chapters:

1. The statuses of Mudallisīn. He took this from ‘Allāmah ‘Alā‘ī

2. The levels of Mudallisīn. He took this from Imām Ḥākim. 

The book has been published by Dār al-Wafā in 1995 in Egypt with the Taḥqīq of Rif’at Fawzī. This book is in 124 pages.

2. Tuḥfah at-Taḥṣīl Fī Dhikr Ruwāt al-Marāsīl

This is similar to the previous book, but in this book he gathers the names of those who would make Irsāl. He again took this from the book of ‘Allāmah ‘Alā’ī, and then he added a few other names, and put them all in alphabetical order. He presents some information on the narrator, explaining where and how he made Irsāl.

This book was published by Maktabah Rushd in Riyāḍ in 1999, with the reseach of ‘Abdullāh Nawwārah. It is in 382 pages.

Abūl Khayr, Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad al-Jazarī (751 AH – 833 AH)

The great scholar of Qirā’ah and Tajwīd, ‘Allāmah Jazarī wrote two books in ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth:

1. Al-Hidāyah Fī ‘Ilm ar-Riwāyah (not connected to any book)

This is a poem that consists of 373 lines of poetry. He wrote this poem at the request of a leader. In this poem, he presents a completely new sequence for the chapters of ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth. He commences with explaining the etiquette of a student, then ‘Ālī and Nāzil, then writing of Ḥadīth and how to obtain a narration. He then speaks about Ijāzah etc.

This is printed with the commentary of ‘Allāmah Sakhāwī, which is called: al-Ghāyah Fī Sharḥ al-Hidāyah. This was researched by Muḥammad Muḥammad Amīn, and published by Maktabah al-‘Ulūm wal-Ḥikam in Madīnah. The second edition is in two volumes and 704 pages.

2. Tadhkirah al-‘Ulamā Fī Uṣūl al-Ḥadīth (not connected to any book)

This is a unique book in which he presents a summary of all the work before him. He evaluates all that they mentioned and reveals his preference.

1. This book comprises of an introduction and four Fūṣūl.

2. The introduction delves into the history of the documentation of Aḥādīth.

3. The first chapter delves into everything pertaining to obtaining a narration.

4. The second chapter has 11 subcategories. He speaks about laws of al-Jarḥ wat-Ta’dīl, Tadlīs etc.

5. The third chapter pertains to everything related to the text.

6. The fourth chapter is all about narrators.

In this book, he explained 83 Anwā’ of ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth. 

The book is printed with the research of Muṣṭafā Sulaymī in two volumes. These total to 1353 pages.

Jawāhir al-Uṣūl Fī ‘Ilm Ḥadīth ar-Rasūl

This is another Matn (basic text) in this science. It has been written by ‘Allāmah Abūl Fayḍ, Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad al-Fārisī (d. 837 AH).

This book could be considered as a summary of Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ and the books of Imām Nawawī, although the author took the liberty of referring to earlier works.

The author commenced this book with a Fātiḥah (opening), which served as an introduction. In this he explained the importance and documentation.

He then brings four Aqsām. The first explains everything pertaining to the Matn of Ḥadīth, Under this, he brings to Bābs. The first consists of information regarding Ṣaḥīḥ, Ḥasan and Ḍa’īf, and the second is again divided into two Maqṣads. Under each Maqṣad there are different Anwā’.

The second Qism pertains to the chain, and here he discusses eleven Anwā’. The first is divided into ten Fuṣūl, and these consists of the laws of al-Jarḥ wat-Ta’dīl.

The third Qism is regarding the acquisition of a narration and methods of transmitting (Taḥammul and Adā). There are six Anwā’, and the sixth Naw’, he mentioned the etiquette of a student. 

The fourth Qism is about narrators and the levels (Ṭabaqāt). This is in 21 Anwā’

The author presents adequate information; not going into too much detail, nor being too concise. He presents examples, and other important subsidiary points.

He made it a point to only mention the preferred view, without delving into the differences.

This is a brilliant book for a student of Ḥadīth to obtain. We might quote from it as well.

It has been published by Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah in 1993, with the research of Ṣalāḥ ‘Uwayḍah.

Books of Ibn al-Wazīr al-Yemenī (775 AH – 840 AH)

1. Tanqīh al-Anḍār Fī Ma’rifah ‘Ulūm al-Āthār

This again is a small Matn written by Abū ‘Abdillāh, Muḥammad ibn Ibrāhīm aṣ-Ṣan’ānī, who is famously known as Ibn al-Wazīr al-Yemenī (775 AH – 840 AH).

There are three peculiar (or special) things about this book:

1. It contains the views of the Zaidī group (a group of Shias).

2. Explains the views of the scholars of Uṣūl al-Fiqh and the scholars of Uṣūl al-Ḥadīth.

3. It evaluates the views and mentions the inevitable outcome of adopting the incorrect view.

All these are done in a concise and simple manner.

The author follows the same order and sequence as Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ. 

This book has been researched by Muḥammad Ṣubḥi and ‘Āmir Ḥusayn, and it was published by Dār Ibn Ḥazm in 1999. It is in around 280 pages.

2. Al-Mukhtaṣar Fī ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth (not directly linked to Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ)

This is the first summary of Nukhbah al-Fikar (We will speak about Nukhbah al-Fikar later, because the author of Nukhbah passed away after the author of this book. We are mentioning the books in chronological order according to the date of demise of the authors), but it could more be considered as a refinement. He adds so many additional pearls and a lot of precious information. With the amount that he added and the way that he improved the entire Nukhbah, this could be considered as an independent book.

This book has been printed with the commentary of Amīr aṣ-Ṣan’ānī by Dār al-Īmām Aḥmad in Egypt in 2011, with the research of ‘Abdullāh Khawlānī. The book itself is in 19 pages. As will be seen shortly, this is much larger than Nukhbah al-Fikar, which proves that the author actually upgraded. Together with the commentary, it is in around 300 pages. 

At around $15, a student of Takhaṣṣuṣ should add this valuable resource to his library. 

Al-Ḥadīqah Fī ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth ash-Sharīf

The author of this is Abū ‘Abdillāh, Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad Tilmsānī (711 AH – 842 AH). Initially he wrote a huge poem is 3417 verses where he combined multiple books:

1. Al-Ilmā’ of Qāḍī ‘Iyāḍ

2. Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ

3. Alfiyyah of ‘Irāqī

The title of this was Rawḍah al-I’lām Fī ‘Ilm Anwā’ al-Ḥadīth as-Sām’. However, this enormous book has never been published.

The author then summarized that into 575 verses of poetry. He did this in 15 days. This is the book that is known as al-Ḥadīqah, and that is what we are referring to. This is the summary and poetic form of the afore-mentioned three books.

This poem has been printed in 2018 by Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, with the Taḥqīq of ‘Abdul Ḥalīm al-Ashīrī. The book is just under a hundred pages.

Books of Ibn Nāṣir ad-Dīn (777 AH – 842 AH)

Abū ‘Abdillāh, Muḥammad ibn ‘Abdillāh al-Qaysī (777 AH – 842 AH), also known as Ibn Nāṣir ad-Dīn, wrote one book in ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth, and two commentaries for that book:

1. ‘Uqūd ad-Durar Fī ‘Ulūm al-Athar

This is a very small poem that comprises of only 19 verses. Despite being so short, the author spoke about 67 Anwā’.

This was researched by Nabīl ‘Abdul Majīd, and it was published by Maktabah Ibn ‘Abbās.

2. Sharḥ ‘Uqūd ad-Durar Fī ‘Ulūm al-Athar

This is a huge summary of the poem. In this commentary he elaborates of every Naw’ in detail, by showing laws that are derived, presenting examples, and explaining; sometimes in a lot of detail, and sometimes a little less.

He summarises and evaluates the statements of the scholars prior to him.

This book has been published with the research of Dr Fāṭimah bint Zayd Āl-Rushdūn in 2013, and printed by Ṭabā’ah al-Faṭṭānī/Umm al-Qurā University.

3. Ḥal ‘Uqūd ad-Durar Fī ‘Ulūm al-Athar

This is a brief commentary that focuses more on explaining the words of the poem and unveiling the intended meaning. In this book, the author does not delve into any of the differences amongst scholars, not does he present any examples. 

It has been published by Dār Ibn Ḥazm in 2005 with the research of Ṣubḥi as-Sāmarāī. This print is in 99 pages.

Miftāḥ as-Sa’īdiyyah Fī Sharḥ al-Alfiyyāh al-Ḥadīthīyyah

Written by the student of ‘Allāmah ‘Irāqī, Abū Yāsir, Muḥammad ibn ‘Ammār al-Mālikī (768 AH – 844 AH), this is a commentary of his teachers Alfiyyah, which could be considered as a refinement.

The author summarized the words of ‘Allāmah ‘Irāqī. He then focused primarily on the words and linguistics, by presenting explanations pertaining to the meaning of a word, the diacritical marks of a word or name and even a brief introduction to a place. 

This book has been printed by Markaz Āl Nu’mān in Yemen, in 2014. This is with the Taḥqīq pf Shādī ibn Muḥammad an-Nu’mān. The book is in 482 pages.

Books of Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar ( 773 AH – 852 AH)

Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar, Aḥmad ibn ‘Alī al-‘Asqalānī (773 AH – 852 AH) is the student of ‘Allāmah ‘Irāqī, and he needs no introduction. He left behind two very important books on ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth.

1. An-Nukat ‘Alā Kitāb Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāh and al-‘Irāqī

According to some scholars, Ḥāfiḍ Ibn Ḥajar first wrote a much detailed Nukat, but that has not reached us. He then commenced writing a shorter Nukat, and although this has reached us, it is incomplete. Fortunately, it covers all the main topics of ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth. This is the sixth Nukat written on Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ.

From the name it is clear that his objective was to pass random comments on the Muqaddimah of ‘Allāmah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ and on the Nukat of his illustrious teacher, ‘Allāmah ‘Irāqī. He thus differentiates between those two scholars by placing a ص for ‘Allāmah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ, and an ع for ‘Allāmah ‘Irāqī. 

In this book, Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar carefully selected to discuss the most important points. By mentioning only that which he deemed to be very beneficial, this book became a very valuable resource in this science.

The author intended to increase the 65 Anwā’ that ‘Allāmah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ mentioned and to categorize ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth into 100 Anwā’. Unfortunately, he passed away before he could complete this book, and therefore, we did not get those additional Anwā’ from him in this book. But he did mention more Anwā’ in the next book of his that we will discuss, in shā Allāh.

There are many different prints of this book. The best is the edition of Māhir Faḥl, which has been published by Dār al-Maymān in Riyāḍ in 2013. This edition is in 783 pages.

This book has also been researched by Ṭāriq ibn ‘Iwaḍallāh, and it is published by Dār ibn al-Qayyim and it is printed together with the Nukat of ‘Allāmah ‘Irāqī. This is the print that we will be referring to.

We will, in shā Allāh, use this book for each and every lesson of Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ.

2. Nukhbah al-Fikar  (not directly related to Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ)

This is a very concise and small text that is published in six pages. Ḥāfiḍ Ibn Ḥajar mentions that a student requested him to write and condense for him all the important points of ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth. He thus complied and wrote this small booklet.

The merit of this book is that Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar was not condensing or summarizing another book. Rather, he wrote his own independent small booklet, which gives him the freedom to mention what he wanted to and present it in the manner that he felt best.

Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar re-organized all the chapters of ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth, and he first brings everything related to the chain, and then discusses everything related to the text. 

Undoubtedly, it is a beautiful short text, but at times it is too concise, thereby omitting essential clauses and restrictions. 

In this small booklet, Ḥāfiḍ Ibn Ḥajar listed the additional Anwā’. He mentioned over 100 Anwā’.

The book has been published as well as with its commentaries.

Until this point in history, the overwhelming majority of authors based their books on the Muqaddimah of ‘Allāmah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ. We can see how many scholars dedicated their books on the Muqaddimah.

Shaykh Muḥammad Muḥy ad-Dīn ‘Abd al-Ḥamīd said in his introduction of Tawḍīḥ al-Aḏkār:

ولو لم يكن من حظوة هذا الكتاب الا ان يتصدى له الإمام النووي وابن كثير وابن جماعة والزركشي والعراقي وابن حجر: حفاظ أزمانهم. ثم لو لم يكن له حظوة إلا أن يتفرغ له الحافظ العراقي الزمن الطويل….. لو لم يكن من الحظوة إلا ذلك لكان كافيا ودليلا مع ذلك على منزلة الكتاب ومنزلة صاحبه.

“If there was no other merit of this book except that great scholars like Imān an-Nawawī, Ibn Kathīr, Ibn Jamāʿah, Zarkashī, ʿIrāqī and Ibn Ḥajar, the Ḥuffāḍh of their eras. Then too, if there was no other merit besides the fact that Ḥāfiḍh ʿIrāqī dedicated a long time to this, if there was no other merit besides these, it would be sufficient to explain to us how great this Kitāb is and the great status of the author.”

However, after Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar wrote this small booklet, the attention of authors was now diverted to this book. Immediately after the book was written in 812 AH, the teacher of the author wrote a commentary on it. Many others then started to also write commentaries, or even just some annotations. Others even put it in poetic from There were many other books written on Nukhba during the lifetime of Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar. However, the greatest commentary is that of Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar.

3. Nuzhat an-Naḍar Fī Tawḍīh Nukhbah al-Fi Tawḍīḥ Nukhbah al-Fikar

After Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar complied and condensed everything for that student of his, the student found it too difficult and obscure. He thus requested the author to write a commentary. Again, Ḥāfiḍ Ibn Ḥajar complied and wrote a moderate size commentary on his initial book. He adopted the style of Damj and Baṣṭ; which means to incorporate and merge one book into another in a manner that it cannot be differentiated. Both books flow as if they are one book. 

In this book, Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar continues with this new sequence that he claims that he invented. 

He does not have one method for the entire book. Rather, he goes into great detail in some chapters and even provide examples and mentions additional resources, whilst he discusses other chapters in just a few lines.

Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar was very clear on his intent to refine the science of ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth. He attempted to:

1. Separate the Anwa’ that was combined previously. 

2. Specify one dedicated meaning for terms that were used in different ways before him.

3. Group things differently.

In total, he discussed 104 Anwā’. Whilst these are good for the future usage of the word, they become a problem when trying to understand the words of the earlier Muḥaddithīn. It cannot be used a back projection; rather, it could be used as a future suggestion. That actually becomes a huge negative of the book: it will confuse a person who tries understand the works of earlier scholars. 

Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar clearly mentioned that this book is for beginners. As such, many Islāmic seminaries start to teach ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth with this book. However, experts of ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth feel that this is an advanced book, and it should rather be thought to student who already knows the basics and already read average books on in this science.

Having taught this book to different levels of students over many years, I would agree that this is not the ideal book for beginners, unless there are notes to supplement. Sufficing by reading this one book will cause students to understand the verdicts and statements of earlier Muḥaddithīn incorrectly. Unfortunately, many books after this book based the definitions on this book. 

Many scholars worked on this book; whether it is abridging or writing detailed commentaries, or even putting it in poetic form. These books ‘stole the spot’ of the Muqaddimah of Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ.

There are numerous different prints of Nuzhat an-Naḍar. The best print is the edition of Shaykh Nūr ad-Dīn ‘Itr.

Since this book has been taught separately, there is no need for us to refer to this book or any of its commentaries during the lessons of Muqaddimah Ibn aṣ-Ṣalāḥ. 

Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar also wrote books on dedicated chapters of ‘Ulūm al-Ḥadīth. For example, he wrote:

• Ta’rīf Ahl at-Taqdīs bi Marātib al-Mawṣūfīn Bit Tadlīs.
• Nuzhah al-Albāb Fīl Alqāb.

These are all the books of ‘Uṣūl al-Ḥadīth until the mid ninth century. The books of the next 100 years (until 950 AH) are also very important, and we probably might discuss those too, in shā Allāh.

May Allāh Taʿālā have mercy on them all.

سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك ، أشهد أن لا إله إلا أنت ، أستغفرك وأتوب