40 Hadith Nawawi
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What is 40 Hadith Nawawi?
40 Hadith Nawawi is a hadith collection compiled by Yahya ibn Sharaf an-Nawawi. Sirah's current dataset contains 42 source records across 1 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
- 42 source records
- Available chapters
- 1
- Compiler
- Imam an-Nawawi
- Source records
- Collection imported into Sirah's database
Sirah displays source records and does not independently authenticate narrations. Read the source methodology
Sirah dataset: 42 source records across 1 available chapters. Historical descriptions below may use a different edition’s numbering.
Collection history
The Arba'in (Forty Hadith) of Imam an-Nawawi is the most famous and widely studied collection of forty hadiths in the Islamic world. Comprising forty-two core narrations, each hadith encapsulates an essential foundation of the religion (qawa'id al-din), spanning creed ('aqidah), jurisprudence (fiqh), ethics (akhlaq), and inner purification (tazkiyah).
Compiler biography
Compiled by Imam Yahya ibn Sharaf an-Nawawi (631–676 AH), this work reflects his mastery in selecting hadiths that demonstrate Jawami' al-Kalim—the concise yet comprehensive prophetic speech. Scholars throughout the centuries have authored dozens of commentaries explaining this concise yet profound collection.
Collection methodology
Imam an-Nawawi selected each hadith based on the principle that it forms a fundamental axis of Islam. In his introduction, he notes that while many scholars had compiled forty hadiths focusing on individual subjects like jihad, manners, or asceticism, he intended to collect forty hadiths more fundamental than all of these—traditions encompassing all Islamic sciences. Almost all narrations included are recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. He stripped the chains of transmission (asanid) to facilitate memorization and accessibility for the general public.
Structure
The collection opens with the foundational hadith of Umar ibn al-Khattab on intention ('Actions are judged according to intentions'), followed by the renowned Hadith Jibril defining Islam, Iman, and Ihsan. It progresses systematically through legal maxims, the prohibition of harm, leaving that which does not concern oneself, brotherly love, speech discipline, moderation in worship, and concludes with hadiths expounding the vastness of divine mercy and forgiveness.
Scholarly significance
Generations of students in traditional Islamic madrasahs memorize and examine these forty-two narrations as their introduction to Hadith sciences. Starting with the famous hadith on intentions ('Actions are by intentions') and concluding with narrations on divine forgiveness, the compendium offers a complete synthesis of faith and righteous action.
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