A collection of Riyad as-Salihin 8 x 12 cm

Safi al-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Selections from Riyad as-Salihin

A handy pocket book, this edition of Riyad-us-Salihin contains selected hadiths from the complete two-volume edition. It contains the Arabic text followed by an English translation and commentary below. Imam Nawawi was a prominent scholar of hadith and jurisprudence of his time. He compiled Riyad-us-Salihin, which has gained an important place in hadith collections. It is a popular and highly useful compilation of authentic hadiths. Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf of Pakistan has added commentaries to the hadiths. Keeping in mind the problems of our time, Darussalam has printed a concise volume of Riyad-us-Salihin. For this volume, Shaykh Safi-ur-Rahman Mubarakpuri has selected the hadiths.

Publisher's Note

We thank God that He has enabled us to publish many books on religious topics in Arabic, Urdu and English, which have gained great popularity in the Arab countries as well as in America, France and European countries, in addition to Pakistan, India and many African countries.

We strive to provide publications based on authentic research materials that are consistent with the Qur’an and Sunnah, and free from all kinds of vague concepts, weak authority, and misconceptions.

Now, we have published Riyad as-Salihin in the same spirit and tradition of good research, professional editing, and excellent printing standards.

The book was compiled by Imam al-Nawawi, a prominent scholar of hadith and jurisprudence of his time. Commentaries on the hadiths were added by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf al-Pakistani, who originally prepared the Urdu edition of this book. The English translation and commentaries were done by Dr. Muhammad Amin and Abu Usama al-Arabi ibn Razdaq, who performed their task with great care and attention. We hope to confirm that this book is the best translation of Riyad as-Salihin ever, in any language and anywhere. We ask Allah to accept our sincere efforts in spreading His religion throughout the world and to grant us the fulfillment of our resolve in this regard—Ameen!

Abdul Malik Mujahid, Director General of Dar es Salaam

Excerpts from Riyadh as-Salihin

Chapter Eleven: Jihad in the Cause of God

God Almighty says:

• “And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.” (29:69)

• “And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty” (15:99)

• “And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with a complete devotion.” (73:8)

• “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.” (99:7)

• “And whatever good you send forth for yourselves - you will find it with Allah better and greater in reward.” (73:20)

• “And whatever you spend in good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.” (2:273)

Hadith 95. On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Allah the Almighty said: “Whoever shows enmity to a righteous servant of Mine, I declare war against him. And My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the duties I have enjoined upon him. And My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary acts of worship until I love him. And when I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. And if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will grant him refuge.” [Bukhari]

Commentary: 1. Those who innovate in religion and associate partners with God (such as the Halulites who believe in the light dwelling in the human soul, the existentialists who believe in the material form of God, and the pagans who worship other than God) interpret this hadith to support their vile argument, thus seeking to support falsehood over falsehood, even though the meaning and interpretation of the hadith are not at all as they describe. In simple, unambiguous terms, the hadith means that when a person adds voluntary prayers to the obligatory ones, he becomes a favored servant of God and, as a result, receives special assistance from Him. He is then under God’s protection to the point that He oversees every part of his body. Thus, he is saved from disobeying God. He endures what God loves, sees what He loves, and deals with what pleases Him. When he attains this exalted status of God's love and obedience, God, in return, also answers the prayers of His obedient and sincere servants. A saint is not someone with a special appearance or figure, or someone who occupies the position of a saint as his successor, or someone lost in contemplation, or someone half-mad, or someone who has invented his own way of remembering and worshipping God. Rather, he is someone who meticulously performs the duties imposed by Islam, loves voluntary prayer, and adheres to the divine commands in all aspects of life.

3. Loving these saints is a means to attain God’s pleasure, and enmity (hatred and aversion) towards them is a cause of His intense wrath and anger.

4. Voluntary prayer is certainly a means of attaining God's pleasure, but it must be preceded by performing the obligatory prayers. The former are worthless if the latter are neglected. Desiring closeness to God without strictly adhering to the obligatory prayers is wrong and meaningless.

Hadith 96. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah Almighty says: ‘If My servant draws near to Me a handspan, I draw near to him an arm’s length. If he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a fathom’s length. If he comes to Me walking, I come to him running.’” [Bukhari]

Comment: This hadith mentions God’s generosity, kindness, gentleness, and infinite consideration for His servants, which is evident in the reward He gives His servants even for their small good deeds.

--Riyadh as-Salihin, pages 112-114

--Riyadh as-Salihin, pp. 112-114

--Riyadh as-Salihin, pp. 112-114