The 40 Hadith of Imam al-Nawawi

The 40 Hadith of Imam al-Nawawi – A Timeless Collection of Prophetic Wisdom

Discover one of the most beloved and universally respected works in Islamic scholarship — The 40 Hadith of Imam al-Nawawi. Known in Arabic as Al-Arba’in An-Nawawiyyah, this timeless collection of hadith is a cornerstone for every Muslim seeking authentic knowledge, spiritual growth, and a deeper connection with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

For centuries, The Forty Hadith has illuminated the hearts of believers across the globe — from the East to the West. It is often the very first hadith collection studied by Muslims, and for many, it remains a lifelong companion in their pursuit of understanding Islam. Each hadith in this collection is a guiding light, serving as a foundational proof text in areas such as faith (iman), worship (ibadah), ethics (akhlaq), and spiritual refinement (tasawwuf).

Imam al-Nawawi, one of the greatest scholars in Islamic history, carefully selected these forty hadiths for their comprehensive nature and immense significance. Within these concise words lies vast wisdom — a reflection of the Prophet ﷺ’s miraculous ability to convey deep meanings in few words (jawami‘ al-kalim).

Features of This Special Edition by IGI:

• New and Refined Translation – Faithfully rendered in clear, modern English for today’s reader.
• Succinct Gems of Reflection – Insightful points to help you ponder the depth, wisdom, and beauty of each hadith.
• Short Biography of Imam al-Nawawi – Learn about the life, legacy, and sincerity of one of Islam’s greatest scholars.
• Foreword by Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra – Offering valuable context and inspiration for readers.
• Translation by Talut Dawood – Known for his eloquence and clarity in bringing classical texts to life.
• Elegant Paperback Edition – 100 Pages – Designed for easy reading, study, and reflection.

This beautifully presented edition is not just a book — it is a lifelong companion in your journey of faith. Whether you’re a student of knowledge, a parent, a teacher, or simply someone eager to strengthen your relationship with Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, The 40 Hadith of Imam al-Nawawi is an essential addition to your Islamic library.

Enrich your heart, elevate your understanding, and experience the timeless guidance of the Prophet ﷺ through Imam al-Nawawi’s Arba’in.

Order your copy today from The Islam Shop Ltd and begin your journey into the profound wisdom of the Prophet ﷺ — one hadith at a time.

About The Author 

Abi Zakariya Yahya Bin Sharaf Al - Nawai Al Dimashqi AKA Imam Nawawi

He was born at Nawa near Damascus, Syria. As with Arabic and other Semitic languages, the last part of his name refers to his hometown.

Yasin bin Yusuf Marakashi, says: "I saw Imam Nawawi at Nawa when he was a youth of ten years of age. Other boys of his age used to force him to play with them, but Imam Nawawi would always avoid the play and would remain busy with the recitation of the Noble Qur'an. When they tried to domineer and insisted on his joining their games, he bewailed and expressed his no concern over their foolish action. On observing his sagacity and profundity, a special love and affection developed in my heart for young Nawawi. I approached his teacher and urged him to take exceptional care of this lad as he was to become a great religious scholar. His teacher asked whether I was a soothsayer or an astrologer. I told him I am neither soothsayer nor an astrologer but Allah caused me to utter these words." His teacher conveyed this incident to Imam's father and in keeping in view the learning quest of his son, decided to dedicate the life of his son for the service and promotion of the cause of Islam

He studied in Damascus from the age of 18 and after making the pilgrimage in 1253, he settled there as a private scholar.

During his stay at Damascus, he studied from more than twenty teachers who were regarded as masters and authority of their subject field and disciplines they taught. An-Nawawi studied Hadith, Islamic Jurisprudence, its principles, syntax and Etymology. His teachers included Abu Ibrahim Ishaq bin Ahmad AI-Maghribi, Abu Muhammad Abdur-Rahman bin Ibrahim Al-Fazari, Radiyuddin Abu Ishaq Ibrahim bin Abu Hafs Umar bin Mudar Al-Mudari, Abu Ishaq Ibrahim bin Isa Al-Muradi, Abul-Baqa Khalid bin Yusuf An-Nablusi, Abul-Abbas Ahmad bin Salim Al-Misri, Abu Abdullah Al-Jiyani, Abul-Fath Umar bin Bandar, Abu Muhammad At-Tanukhi, Sharafuddin Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad Al-Ansari, Abul-Faraj Abdur-Rahman bin Muhammad bin Ahmad Al-Maqdisi, and Abul-Fada'il Sallar bin Al-Hasan Al Arbali among others.

He did ta'wil on some of the Qur'an verses and ahadith on the attributes of Allah. He states in his commentary of a hadith that:

This is one of the "hadiths of the attributes," about which scholars have two positions. The first is to have faith in it without discussing its meaning, while believing of Allah Most High that "there is nothing whatsoever like unto Him" (Qur'an 42:11), and that He is exalted above having any of the attributes of His creatures. The second is to figuratively explain it in a fitting way, scholars who hold this position adducing that the point of the hadith was to test the slave girl: Was she a monotheist, who affirmed that the Creator, the Disposer, the Doer, is Allah alone and that He is the one called upon when a person making supplication (du'a) faces the sky--just as those performing the prayer (salat) face the Kaaba, since the sky is the qibla of those who supplicate, as the Kaaba is the qibla of those who perform the prayer--or was she a worshipper of the idols which they placed in front of themselves? So when she said, In the sky, it was plain that she was not an idol worshiper

Nawawi drew the ire of Mamluk Sultan Rukn al-Din Baybars twice. Once when he wrote on behalf of residents of Damascus that if Baybars do not stop taxing people illegally then Allah will tax his deed in al-akhira who sought relief from heavy tax burdens during a drought that lasted many years.This prompted Baybars to threaten to expel him from Damascus To this, he responded:

"As for myself, threats do not harm me or mean anything to me. They will not keep me from advising the ruler, for I believe that this is obligatory upon me and others."[19]

Second time Nawawi addressed Sultan Baybars when he wanted the ulama to issue fatwa that waqf belongs to the ruler which originally belonged to Muslim society. An-Nawawi sort of scolded him to fear Allah and control his greed for wealth. to which Sultan Baybars agreed. Some people asked Baybars why he did not lock up an-Nawawi to which Baybars replied whenever he even thinks of locking an-Nawawi up, a kind of fear flows through his heart. Both time Baybars abided by an-Nawawi's letters.

He died at Nawa at the relatively young age of 45.

An-Nawawi's lasting legacy is his contribution to hadith literature through his momentous works Forty Hadiths and Riyadh as-Saaliheen. This made him respected in all madhabs, despite of him being of Shafi'i jurisprudence.According to Al-Dhahabi, Imam Nawawi's concentration and absorption in academic love gained proverbial fame. He had devoted all his time for learning and scholarship. Other than reading and writing, he spent his time contemplating on the interacted and complex issues and in finding their solutions. Ulama's praise him for 3 characteristics:

1. His level of scholarship. Writing more than 40 pages daily from age 18-45. Studying continuously for 12 hours and then teaching for another 12 hours at age 18-20 in Damascus. 
2. His asceticism. Not marrying in fear of faltering his wife's right, lack of love for dunya, constant worshipping of Allah, constant zikr.
3. His keenness in enjoining good and forbidding evil.[20] As done with Sultan al-Baibars.

Destruction of Tomb

In 2015, during the ongoing Syrian Civil War, his tomb was demolished by rebels linked to Al Nusra

During his life of 45 years he wrote "at least fifty books" on Islamic studies and other topics. Some scholar counted pages he written and calculated that he wrote 40+ pages daily from age 18 till his death. Some his writings is still reached vastly as no author has superseded him in those writing.

Abdassamad Clarke

Abdassamad Clarke is from Ulster and was formally educated in Edinburgh. He accepted Islam in 1973 and later studied Arabic, tajwīd and other Islamic sciences in Cairo. He has a number of translations of classical Arabic works. He was, for a period of time, Imam of the Ihsan Mosque in Chapelfield, Norwich, but now resides in rural Denmark.

About The Translator 

Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra

At The Islam Shop, our mission is to provide authentic Islamic books that inspire, educate, and uplift. Every title we offer is carefully curated from trusted Islamic publishers around the world, ensuring the highest standards of scholarship, authenticity, and spiritual benefit. We take pride in connecting our readers with works translated and reviewed by esteemed scholars who combine deep knowledge with a passion for sharing the beauty of Islam.

One such distinguished scholar is Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra, whose journey of faith and scholarship embodies the very essence of sincerity and learning. Born in Toronto, Canada, to an Indian Hindu family, Shaykh Abdullah embraced Islam in 2001 while studying at the University of Toronto, where he completed his Bachelor’s in Business Administration. His quest for sacred knowledge led him to Tarim, Yemen, and Darul Uloom in Trinidad, where he began his formal studies in Arabic and Islamic Sciences.

Over the next twelve years, Shaykh Abdullah deepened his studies in Amman, Jordan, specializing in Islamic Law (Fiqh), Theology (‘Aqidah), Hadith Sciences, Prophetic Biography (Seerah), and Islamic Spirituality (Tasawwuf). During this time, he also served as Director of Programs at the Qasid Arabic Institute, helping students from across the globe connect with the Arabic language and traditional scholarship.

Shaykh Abdullah holds a BA in Islamic Studies (Alimiyyah), with authorization (ijazah) in the six authentic books of Hadith (Sihah Sittah), and has completed a year of specialized training in issuing Islamic legal verdicts (Ifta’). His dedication to serving the Muslim community extends beyond academia — he also holds a certificate in Counseling, focusing on religious OCD (waswas), as well as family and marital issues from an Islamic pastoral perspective.

Through his scholarly translations, Shaykh Abdullah bridges classical Islamic wisdom with the needs of modern readers, ensuring that every work resonates with clarity, authenticity, and relevance. His contributions reflect The Islam Shop’s dedication to presenting literature that strengthens faith, understanding, and connection with Allah.

We invite you to explore our collection of Islamic books translated and reviewed by scholars like Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra — and discover resources that will deepen your connection with Islam and enrich your spiritual journey.

About The Publisher 

Imam Ghazali Publishing

At The Islam Shop, we take pride in offering authentic Islamic books from some of the world’s most respected and trusted publishers — and Imam Ghazali Publishing stands as one of the finest among them.

Reviving the Rich Legacy of Islamic Scholarship

Since its inception in 2007, Imam Ghazali Institute has been at the forefront of reviving the profound and timeless Islamic scholarly tradition. Through Imam Ghazali Publishing, the institute continues its mission to disseminate sacred knowledge in a way that is both authentic and accessible to Muslims around the world — especially those living in the West.

In a world overflowing with information, Imam Ghazali Publishing remains committed to preserving the verifiable chain of transmission that connects today’s readers with the classical sources of Islamic knowledge. Each publication reflects deep scholarship, authenticity, and the beauty of the Islamic intellectual tradition.

Dedicated to Quality, Depth, and Spiritual Enrichment

Imam Ghazali Publishing carefully curates works that nurture the mind, heart, and soul. Their collection includes educational, religious, and inspirational literature from both contemporary and classical Muslim authors. Every title is crafted and selected with great care — ensuring academic precision, spiritual depth, and linguistic excellence.

From timeless classics of Islamic spirituality to contemporary reflections on faith, their publications help readers deepen their understanding of Islam and strengthen their connection with Allah.

Championing Muslim Voices and Creativity

More than just a publisher, Imam Ghazali Publishing serves as a platform for Muslim voices — amplifying, supporting, and mentoring writers across all levels of experience. With a strong focus on authenticity, inclusivity, and creativity, they combine conscientious editing, distinctive design, and innovative outreach to ensure every book resonates with a 21st-century audience while remaining rooted in the Islamic ethos.

A Commitment to Inclusivity and Excellence

Imam Ghazali Publishing is not only dedicated to producing high-quality Islamic literature but also strives to make sacred knowledge accessible to readers of all backgrounds and abilities. Their open approach to feedback and continual improvement reflects a deep commitment to community, accessibility, and excellence.

Explore the Imam Ghazali Collection at The Islam Shop

At The Islam Shop Ltd, we are honoured to offer a diverse selection of books published by Imam Ghazali Publishing — works that embody the true spirit of Islamic learning and spirituality. Whether you seek profound insights, practical guidance, or timeless wisdom, these books invite you on a journey of faith, reflection, and enlightenment.

Discover authentic Islamic literature today — explore our Imam Ghazali Publishing collection and enrich your connection with Islam.

Additional Product Information

• ISBN 13: 978-195230-62-80
• ISBN: 10: 1952306280
• ISBN: 978-1-952306-28-0
• ISBN 1: 9781952306280
• UPC: 9781952306891
• SKU 1: TIST40HOIAN
• SKU 2: TIS
• SKU 3: 9781952306280
• SKU 4: 9781952306280
• MPN: 9781952306280
• ASIN: 9781952306280
• EAN: 9781952306280
• REF.NO: 9781952306280
• Author: Shaykh Imam Abū Yahya Zakariyyā Yaḥyā ibn Sharaf al-Nawawī
• Edited and illustrated By: Shaykh Talut Dawood / Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra
• Translated & Annotated By: Shaykh Talut Dawood / Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra
• Publisher:  Imam Ghazali Publishing
• Imprint:  Imam Ghazali Publishing
• Publication Date:  1447 AH / 2025 
• Impression: First
• Cover: Paperback / Softcover / Paperboard / Softbound
• Format: Paperback / Softcover / Paperboard / Softbound
• Binding: Paperback / Softcover / Paperboard / Softbound
• Pages: 100
• Dimensions: 23 x 23mm Approx
• Weight: 500g Approx
• Digital Bank:
• Age Range (Suitable Age): 15+

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