Al-Arbaūn Al-Namāniyy

The book “Al-Arba’ūn Al-Na‘māniyyah fi Ahadīth Al-Hanafiyyah

Introduction

All praise is due to Allah, Who has honored us with the light of revelation and prophethood, and Who made the Prophetic Sunnah a guiding beacon illuminating the paths of the believers. He completed His favor by sending the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, our Master Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, and upon his pure and noble family, his righteous companions, and all who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment.

To proceed:

The book “Al-Arba’ūn Al-Na‘māniyyah fi Ahadīth Al-Hanafiyyah” that we present to you today is a distinguished scholarly contribution in serving the Prophetic Sunnah. It is a notable testament to the blessed efforts exerted by the scholars of the Ummah in collecting, authenticating, and understanding the noble hadith.

The book presents forty carefully selected hadiths from the legacy of Hanafi scholars, a legacy that combines profound understanding with sound practical application. This makes the book a precious treasure for researchers and students of knowledge in the fields of hadith and jurisprudence.

The author of this work is Shaykh Abu al-Barakāt Ibrāhīm bin Muhammad, a distinguished scholar, a specialized researcher, and a teacher at Leicester Mosque. He is also experienced in the field of Islamic finance. I first became acquainted with him during our attendance at the recitation of Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī in Leicester under our teacher, the musnid Shaykh Ahmad Ali Al-Surti (may Allah have mercy on him). These were blessed scholarly gatherings attended by numerous scholars and researchers from across the United Kingdom and even the Arab and Islamic world. On that occasion, his excellent recitation and precise delivery caught our attention, leaving a positive impression on the attendees and strengthening the bond between us ever since. He is one of those who combine knowledge and action, known for his good character and humility, which has added to his acceptance among his brothers and students.

Content and Methodology of the Book

It has been the tradition of scholars to compile forty hadiths on various subjects to facilitate learning for students and to encourage memorizing and contemplating the Prophetic Sunnah. In this context, the author has selected forty hadiths on diverse topics drawn from the hadith works of Hanafi scholars. His selection is marked by precision and a focus on elevated (marfū‘) narrations.

The author has relied on esteemed reference works, including:

Masanīd of Imam Abu Hanifa,

Kitab al-Athar,

Al-Hujjah ‘ala Ahl al-Madinah by Imam Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Shaybani,

Sharh Ma‘ani al-Athar and Sharh Mushkil al-Athar by Imam Abu Ja‘far al-Tahawi (may Allah have mercy on him).

This unique treatise aligns with the methodology of early scholars’ books. The author gathered forty hadiths from forty books authored by the Hanafi scholars, with a keen emphasis on ensuring that these narrations are read to scholars in a single