The Complete Forty Hadith

The Complete Forty Hadith – Imam an-Nawawi

Imam an-Nawawi compiled his renowned collection of forty-two ahadith with only the essential fiqh explanations and commentary required to ensure their meanings were correctly understood. As Ibn ‘Uyaynah observed, “Ahadith are misleading except to those who possess fiqh,” and Ibn Wahb stated, “Every man of hadith who has no Imam in fiqh is astray.” This careful balance of hadith and jurisprudential insight is what gives this collection its lasting authority.

Among the many compilations of forty hadith, Imam an-Nawawi’s work remains the most widely respected and enduring. This edition is, to the best of our knowledge, the first complete English translation of the collection, and has therefore been titled The Complete Forty Hadith of Imam an-Nawawi.

This work is an essential resource for students of Islamic knowledge and general readers alike, offering timeless guidance on belief, practice, and character drawn from the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ.

About the Author

Muhyid-Din Abu Zakariyya Yahya ibn Sharaf an-Nawawi was born in Muharram 631 AH (October 1233 CE). He was among the foremost scholars of hadith of his era and a leading authority in fiqh within the Shafi‘i madhhab. Renowned not only for his vast scholarship but also for his integrity and moral courage, Imam an-Nawawi was known for advising the rulers of his time fearlessly and for his personal asceticism. He passed away at his father’s home on Wednesday, 24th Rajab 676 AH (22 December 1277 CE).