Darul Ishaat UK Blog

In stock at Darul Ishaat UK Now

A Sufi Study of Hadith (Originally titled Haqiqa al-Tariqa min as-Sunna al-Aniqa) is a unique work of commentary on a selection of over three hundred authentic hadith. Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanawi, one of the subcontinent’s greatest spiritual leaders and an author of unequalled prolificacy, translates, interprets, and then comments on each hadith from the perspective of tasawwuf, whether to explain a fine point of theology, or to discourse on morality, etiquette, behaviour, or the customary practices of Sufis. In the pages of this volume, one encounters a side of Islam that is little known and less understood. For all seekers of the truth, and especially those keen to further their understanding of the teachings of the Prophet, upon him be peace on tasawwuf-related subjects, Maulana Thanawi’s work is truly invaluable.

Yusuf Talal DeLorenzo

Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanwi rahmatullahi alayh excelled in every branch of Islamic learning and was one of the Islamic world’s most outstanding religious figures of recent times. Perhaps his most significant and enduring legacy is a renewed awareness, understanding and acceptance of authentic tasawwuf among the masses. Indeed, he is still remembered as Hakim-al-Ummah (Physician of the Ummah) due to his expertise in diagnosing spiritual ailments and dispensing the most efficacious cures.

In this book Mawlana Thanwi discusses numerous subtle and complex themes of tasawwuf derived from the ahadith of our beloved Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam. His erudite commentary demonstrates time and again how the principles of tasawwuf have their origins in the primary sources of Islam. Mawlana Thanwi’s approach, like that of his illustrious mashai’ikh, stresses the complete harmony between Shariah and tariqah and their interrelatedness.

Alhamdulillah, Mawlana Yusuf DeLorenzo’s translation now gives English speaking Muslims access to this valuable work. Studying this book under the guidance of a qualified shaykh will increase the interested reader’s understanding and appreciation of the treasury of hadith as well as the science of tasawwuf, and prove beneficial for the traveller on the path leading to Allah. – Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah

This volume revives the tradition of the earliest Sufis, who  related hadiths from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) in such core works as Qushayri’s Risala, Makki’s Qut al-Qulub, and Abu Nu‘aym’s Hilya al-Awliya. Imam Junayd has said, “The spiritual path is blocked shut, except to those who seek out the traces of the Chosen Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace); ‘Say, ‘This is my path: I summon to Allah upon entire insight, I and whoever wholeheartedly follows me’ [Qur’an 12:108].” Thanawi’s work is a treasury of valuable hadiths for anyone on the true path, and a guide to many of the traditions (adab) of Sufism in the South Asia of his day. The powerful and vigorous translation of Yusuf DeLorenzo brings to life in English a great many realities of the way of spiritual realities. – Nuh Ha Mim Keller

# Cover: Hardback
# Author: Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanawi
# Publisher: Turath Publishing
# Pages: 297

Now Available  at Darul ishaat UK – Buy Now

Imam Ghazali’s Bidayat al-Hidaya is a highly motivational manual detailing the fundamentals of acquiring guidance through God-consciousness (taqwa). Imam Ghazali argues that just as there is an end to this noble objective there is also a beginning to it, which must be made firm for one to achieve success. He then goes on to expound the fundamentals of this “beginning.” While being concise and to-the-point the manual is laid out in the form of a detailed daily timetable providing the reader strong inspiration and much heart-rending counsel. The three sections of this book are on obedience, refraining from disobedience, and the etiquette of companionship with the Creator and with creation. One of Imâm Ghazâlî’s final works, it embodies a lifetime of learning, experience, and spirituality and can be taken as an introduction to his larger works.

This translation published for the first time with facing Arabic text also includes many notes and transliteration for the supplications contained within.

Translated by Mashhad Al-Allaf, Revised and Edited by Mufti Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf.

“An excellent translation of an important book on the fundamentals of Muslim piety and etiquette. With an accessible English translation alongside the original Arabic text, this introductory work will be useful for readers interested in exploring the realities of Islamic piety, students of Arabic and educators alike.” – Jonathan AC Brown,  University of Washington.

# Cover: Paperback
# Author: Abu Hamid al-Ghazali
# Publisher: White Thread Press
# Pages: 170

Coming soon at Darul Ishaat UK
Available: 30/09/2010. Price TBA

In this important work the Shaykh relates fiqh judgements, particularly those of the Hanafi madhhab, to the hadith and traditions, scrutinising each for what the great scholars have said about the strength or weakness of its chain of transmission. The book was to have dealt with all of chapters of fiqh, but sadly the Shaykh only completed the book on purification and the prayer.

Fascinatingly, he tackles matters that engage us all today, including practices that have become a source of controversy over the last few years and thus it will be an important reference work in everyone’s library.

Concerning this book the servant of the prophetic hadith, Muhammad ibn ‘Ali an-Nimawi said, “This is a collection of hadiths, traditions, a collection of narrations and tidings which I have chosen from the Sahih, Sunan, Muj’am and Musnad collections. I have mentioned the source of each hadith but refrained from mentioning the complete chain of transmission for fear of lengthening the work.

I have elaborated on the status of ahadith that are not from the two sahih collections (i.e. al-Bukhari and Muslim) in a satisfactory manner and have named the book Athar as-Sunan (The traditions of the Sunnahs) while simultaneously asking Allah for His decision. May Allah make this work purely for His Face and a means of meeting Him in the Gardens of Bliss.”

This book is extraordinarily timely especially as this age is dominated by matters concerning the prayer. It establishes the basis in the hadith literature for the Hanafi practices and clarifies issues concerning the prayer in general.

English Translation by Abdassamad Clark and Mawlana Inam Uddin.

# Cover: Hardback
# Author: Muhammad ibn ‘Ali an-Nimawi
# Publisher: Turath Publishing
# Pages: 525

Now Available  at Darul ishaat UK!! – By Now

The Preservation of Hadith – A Brief introduction to the Science of Hadith

Like the Qur’an, the preservation of the traditions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad [pbuh], the hadith, for fourteen centuries is another unsung miracle of Islam. It is important to recognize the long journey the hadith of the Blessed Prophet [pbuh] have made through the passage of time and how they have been protected against the perverting hands of distorters, corrupters, and mistake prone narrators.

How were the hadith preserved throughout history?

How did scholars ensure that the hadith used for establishing shariah are authentic?

Who were the great scholars who devoted their lives to the preservation of hadith?

In this short treatise, the author, Shaikh Ibrahim Madani, has simplified much of the information found only in the larger texts on the science of hadith. In addition, he highlights the authority of hadith in Islam and how they were preserved. This book is an excellent start for those who wish to gain a basic understanding of this subject, but cannot invest the time or means to do so.

# Cover: Paperback
# Author: Shaikh Ibrahim Madani
# Publisher: Madania Publications
# Pages: 56
# Size: 18 x 12.5 cm