The Mosque of Knowledge and Wisdom "Tariq Awad Allah"

Forward Son of Rajab, Investigation by Tariq Awad Allah Introduction In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate All praise be to Allah, we praise Him, seek His help, and ask for His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil of ourselves and the bad of our deeds. Whom Allah guides, there is no misguidance for him; and whom He misguides, there is no guidance for him. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. After: Before you, my brother reader, is a pearl among the pearls of the Imam, the Hafiz, the jurist, Zain al-Din Abu al-Faraj Abd al-Rahman ibn Ahmad ibn Abd al-Rahman, known as "Ibn Rajab al-Damashqi al-Hanbali," a gift from his pen and overflowing with his knowledge. It is his comprehensive book, "Jami' al-Uloom wal-Hikam" (Compendium of Sciences and Wisdom) in explaining fifty Hadiths from the Jami' al-Kalim (Collected Words), which he explained in the Forty Hadiths of Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya al-Nawawi, with additional Hadiths beyond his narration. This explanation is among the best and most valuable of these forty Hadiths, and the most beneficial, due to its discussion of the weaknesses of Hadiths, explanations of their strange words, interpretation of their meanings, solving their difficulties, clarifying the rulings derived from them, and weighing the differences among scholars regarding what they indicate of rulings. Despite the scientific, methodological, foundational, educational, and admonitory importance of this book, most of its previous editions are neither verified nor authentic, except for a few rare editions, such as the edition verified by Sheikh Ahmad Shakir, and the edition verified by Dr. Al-Ahmadi Abu Al-Nour, though neither was completed. Also, the edition by the Maktabah Al-Risalah, edited by Shuaib Al-Arna’ut, is better, despite some errors in verifying the text and commentary. In our effort to verify this book, we followed the following plan: 1. Correcting the text of the book based on two handwritten copies, which will be described, God willing. 2. Footnoting the Quranic verses. 3. Footnoting the Hadiths and most of the sayings, in a summarized manner, so as not to enlarge the book or to distort the intended meaning, although we expanded in some places out of necessity and urgent need. 4. Commenting on some parts that require clarification, to add clarity, solve difficulties, or correct errors. 5. Ensuring the accuracy and diacritics of the book, especially the Quranic verses, the Prophetic Hadiths, and some words that need it. 6. Explaining some strange words and similar matters. 7. Preparing a brief biography of the author. 8. Creating scientific indexes for the topics. What distinguishes our edition is that in our commentary on the Hadiths, we did not limit ourselves to the apparent judgment on the chain of narration—as many commentators do—but we traced the weaknesses of Hadiths from specialized books of weaknesses, such as "Ilal al-Hadith" by Ibn Abi Hatim, "Al-'Ilal" by Al-Daraqutni, "Al-'Ilal al-Kabir" by Tirmidhi, "Ilal al-Hadith" by Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and others. We also followed the opinions of scholars of weaknesses from history books and the sciences of men, such as "Al-Kamil" by Ibn ‘Adi, "Al-Du‘afa" by Al-‘Aqili, and others, as well as the Sunnah, like "Fath al-Bari" by Ibn Hajar, and others. Our comments on the Hadiths are decorated with words of scholars of criticism and their judgments on the Hadiths, including their insights, precise criticism, and deep understanding, which are often beyond the grasp of many who have not reached their level. How could it be otherwise, when they are the ones mentioned, whose light enlightens us, whose footsteps distinguish us, and by following their path, we are protected from ignorance. As Abu Amr ibn Al-Alaa said: "We are in the past as a stalk in the roots of tall date palms." And the first said: "And the son of Laban, when they lean in a horn, cannot reach the strength of the Buzl's spear." In conclusion: I ask Allah to benefit the scholars and students of knowledge with this book, to make it, along with our other works, a treasure for us on the Day of Meeting, and not a burden upon us. By His grace and mercy, He is the bestower of success. May Allah send blessings upon Muhammad, his family, and companions. Written by Abu Mu'adh Tariq bin Awad Allah bin Muhammad, Director of the Investigation Department at Dar Al-Haramain.