Mishkat al-Masabih
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What is Mishkat al-Masabih?
Mishkat al-Masabih is a hadith collection compiled by Imam al-Tabrizi. Sirah's current dataset contains 6,293 source records across 29 available chapters. Browse the chapter index to read the available Arabic texts, translations and grading labels. These figures describe the records available here; editions can differ in numbering and chapter divisions.
- Sirah dataset
- 6,293 source records
- Available chapters
- 29
- Compiler
- Imam al-Tabrizi
- Source records
- HadithAPI
Sirah displays source records and does not independently authenticate narrations. Read the source methodology
Sirah dataset: 6,293 source records across 29 available chapters. Historical descriptions below may use a different edition’s numbering.
Collection history
Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ is a celebrated collection of hadīth compiled by Wali al-Dīn Abū Abdullāh Mahmūd ibn Abdullāh al-Khatīb al-Tabrīzī (rahimahullāh). It is an expanded and refined version of Imām al-Baghawī's Masābīh al-Sunnah. The collection is highly regarded for its systematic organization and serves as a primary intermediate-level textbook for students of hadīth across the Islamic world. It contains approximately 5,945 hadīth organized by topic. The English translation most commonly referenced is by James Robson, though several Urdu and English commentaries exist to serve the student of knowledge.
Compiler biography
Imām al-Tabrīzī (rahimahullāh) was a great scholar of the 8th century Hijri. His full name was Wali al-Dīn Abū Abdullāh Mahmūd ibn Abdullāh al-Khatīb al-Tabrīzī. While historical records of his early life are modest, he is widely recognized for his mastery of the Arabic language and hadīth sciences. He was a student of the renowned scholar Imām al-Tibi (rahimahullāh), who encouraged him to revise and expand the work of Imām al-Baghawī. Al-Tabrīzī lived during a time when the preservation of the Sunnah required clear categorization to help students distinguish between the various grades of hadīth. He completed the Mishkāt in 737 A.H. His dedication to the work was driven by a desire to make the prophetic traditions accessible while maintaining rigorous scholarly standards.
Collection methodology
Imām al-Tabrīzī followed a unique tripartite (three-part) structure within each chapter to help the reader understand the strength of the evidence: Fasl al-Awwal (Section 1): Contains narrations found in both Sahīh al-Bukhārī and Sahīh Muslim, or at least one of them. These are considered the highest level of authenticity. Fasl al-Thāni (Section 2): Contains narrations from the other four 'Sunan' books (Abū Dāwūd, Tirmidhī, Nasā'ī, and Ibn Mājah). Fasl al-Thālith (Section 3): Contains supplementary narrations that provide further clarity on the topic, sourced from other significant works such as Muwatta Imām Mālik or Sunan al-Dārimī. At the end of each hadīth, al-Tabrīzī provides a brief note on its authenticity (e.g., 'Reported by Tirmidhī, who said it is a Hasan hadīth').
Structure
The Mishkāt is not an original collection of primary narrations (like Sahīh al-Bukhārī), but rather a secondary collection that compiles narrations from various primary sources. Imām al-Baghawī's original work (Masābīh al-Sunnah) lacked the isnad (chains of narrators) and did not always specify the source of each hadīth. Al-Tabrīzī improved upon this by: Restoring the Names: Adding the companion who narrated the hadīth. Naming the Source: Specifying which primary book (Bukhārī, Muslim, Tirmidhī, etc.) the hadīth originated from. Adding a Third Section: The original work had two sections per chapter (Sahīh for Bukhārī/Muslim and Hasan for others). Al-Tabrīzī added a third section to include even more relevant narrations from other works like the Musnad of Ahmad and Sunan al-Bayhaqi. The book is structured into several chapters (Kitāb) and sub-chapters (Bāb), covering the entirety of a Muslim's life, from the 'Book of Faith' to the 'Book of Fitan' (Tribulations) and the 'Virtues of the Prophet (ﷺ).'
Reading sources on Sirah
Sirah displays hadith records from HadithAPI and additional collections imported into its database. Texts, translations and grading labels reflect the available source records; Sirah does not independently authenticate narrations or verify manuscripts.
Read our data and editorial methodology