Riyad as-Salihin from the Words of the Master of Messengers

Author's Name: Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi

Verification: Dr. Maher Yasin Al-Fahl

The book Riyad as-Salihin (Gardens of the Righteous) from the words of the Master of Messengers, authored by Imam Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi al-Dimashqi, compiles authentic hadiths narrated from the Messenger Muhammad ibn Abdullah, peace be upon him, covering all aspects of creed and life. It presents them systematically in chapters and sections, making it easy for the reader to refer to and benefit from. The book includes 1903 hadiths narrated with a concise chain of transmission, usually starting with a Companion and rarely with a Tabi'i (successor), divided into 372 chapters. It transmits the sayings and actions of the Messenger Muhammad, peace be upon him, as narrated by the Companions, and in a few cases, it includes some sayings and actions of the Companions, imitating the Messenger Muhammad or striving to follow his guidance. The hadiths are divided into fifteen "books," and each book contains several chapters, the number of which varies according to their subject. The chapters are sequentially numbered from the beginning to the end of the book, totaling three hundred and seventy-three chapters. Since the blessed hands of al-Nawawi inscribed Riyad as-Salihin, it has spread like light, finding a place in every Muslim home, to the extent that hardly a house is without it. Its benefits, both specific and general, have become widespread, and people of virtue have acknowledged its excellence. Eminent scholars, both ancient and modern, have served it, revealing some of its excellent structure, good arrangement, beautiful composition, and select content. Imam al-Nawawi, may God have mercy on him, was a man whose time God blessed, just as He blessed his works. All his writings were stamped with acceptance, hence the amazing demand for them and their continuous benefit everywhere and at all times. "Riyad as-Salihin" is a book authored by Imam al-Nawawi, may God have mercy on him, on the noble hadith, as advice to the Ummah, cooperation in righteousness, and guidance to good. In it, he gathered authentic hadiths that lead their owner to Paradise, cultivate their outward and inward manners, combine encouragement and deterrence, refine morals, purify hearts, and preserve limbs. What increased people's acceptance of it was the author's chosen methodology in this book: he committed himself to only mentioning authentic hadiths from the Sunnah, to preface chapters with noble Quranic verses, and to point out what needed clarification or explanation of a subtle meaning. This book is of great importance nowadays because it contains Quranic texts and prophetic hadiths that encourage asceticism, urge good deeds, emulate the Master of Creation, adorn oneself with the ethics of the rightly guided, and join the first generation, may God be pleased with them all.