Introduction:

Al-Arbaʽūn, the “Forty Ḥadīth” is a collection of Forty hadiths compiled by al-Imām Yaḥya bin Sharaf an-Nawawi and actually contains 42 hadiths.

This book of hadiths is highly recommended for a Muslim to understand the basics and fundamentals of Islamic beliefs, fiqh and ethics. Many basic principles for Aqeedah and Shariah are derived from the collection of hadiths in this book. It is of utmost benefit and importance, therefore, for every Muslim to have a complete knowledge and full comprehension of these forty hadiths with correct understanding. In the same spirit, this is an attempt for the sake of Allah swt to write a short summary of each hadith and praying that it will be of benefit, insha Allah.

First, a brief introduction of Al-Imam An-Nawawi who actually needs no introduction in the Islamic circle of knowledge.

Imam an-Nawawi was born in the town of an-Nawa, hence the name an-Nawawi, in 631 Hijri. He passed away in 676 Hijri at the young age of 45 after living a life of modesty, piety and righteousness devoted to Islamic knowledge and learning. Imam an-Nawawi studied Islamic disciplines under more than twenty qualified teachers in Damascus which was the center of Islamic learning and knowledge at that time. He left behind a legacy of utmost dedication and hard work. Imam an-Nawawi authored many books on hadith, fiqh, Arabic definition and biography. Imam An-Nawawi utilized his brief life wisely and to its fullest in the work of God and His religion, earning great honor and respect.

Allah swt blessed the efforts and devotion of An-Nawawi to Islamic knowledge in such a beautiful manner that not only his work was appreciated by Muslim scholars over the last 8 centuries. In addition, his books are still a part of Islamic curriculum for hadith and fiqh studies in all of the Muslim world, more than 800 years (1443 hijri) after his demise.

The famous works of Imam An-Nawawi include, Al-Arbaʽūn, the “Forty Ḥadīth”, Riyādh aṣ-Ṣāliḥeen, Sharh Sahih Muslim, Al-Minhāj, Rawdhat at-Ṭālibeen, Al-Adhkār etc . His Sharh Sahih Muslim is a standard text book for the study of Hadith while his Al-Minhaj is used for the study of Fiqh.

Hadith 1:

عَنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَبِي حَفْصٍ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ: “إنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى، فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ فَهِجْرَتُهُ إلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ، وَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ لِدُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوْ امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُهَا فَهِجْرَتُهُ إلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إلَيْهِ

It is narrated on the authority of Amirul Mu’minin, Abu Hafs ‘Umar bin al-Khattab (ra) who said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: “Actions are (judged) by motives (niyyah), so each man will have only what he intended. Thus, he whose migration (hijrah) was to Allah and His Messenger, his migration is to Allah and His Messenger; but he whose migration was for some worldly thing he might gain, or for a wife he might marry, his migration is to that for which he migrated.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Source: Hadith 1, 40 Hadith an-Nawawi, Sahih al-Bukhari 54, Sahih Muslim 1907a

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi

Brief Explanation:

This hadith explains that our niyyah(intention) is the crux of each and every action we perform as a Muslim and hence considered as the one of the most important hadith for understanding and learning the fundamentals of Islam.

Niyyah(Intention) is the purpose/reason behind any action.

Actions are performed using three faculties, our heart, our tongue and our limbs.

So, the niyyah which is in our hearts, therefore, an action of the heart, is one of the three means of earning benefits and rewards for our deeds. The truth of our niyyah is only known to Allah swt, and determines whether any deed will be accepted by Allah swt. The niyyah serves as our compass to figure out the direction of our hearts. Are we striving towards the pleasure of Allah swt or aiming towards worldly gains, praises and other benefits ? We maybe able to fool and deceive others through our actions, but Allah swt knows if an action was done for His swt sake or not, and He swt will judge and reward it accordingly.

Any mundane action becomes an act of worship if done for the pleasure of Allah swt and vice versa. Similarly, an act of worship will not bring us any benefit if not done sincerely for Allah swt. So, without the conscious effort of making an intention for our actions, we are wasting our energy on deeds which will mean nothing in the end, no matter how good we think they are. When we make an intention to do something for the sake of Allah swt even if we are not able to perform the actual deed we will be rewarded for our sincere intention.

Some practical points to help us keep our intentions pure and sincere,

1. Make a conscious effort towards keeping the niyyah for the pleasure of Allah swt. It maybe difficult to achieve, so keep checking and reminding yourself often to keep the intention sincere for Allah swt alone.
2. Apparently similar actions may be rewarded differently based on the intention or niyyah behind them. All actions are judged on the merit of intention by Allah swt.
3. If we have made a sincere niyyah in the beginning of any action, it will/should not be corrupted by any doubts or thoughts. Even if we get distracted by some worldly praise, gains, thoughts or ideas, as soon as we realize and fix our mistake, insha Allah, Allah swt will forgive us our shortcomings and will accept our efforts.
4. Do every action, worldly or religious, only for the sake of Allah swt , this is the best way to stay away from Shirk and Riya.

Lastly, a short dua for protection against Shirk and Riya,

اللّهُـمَّ إِنّـي أَعـوذُبِكَ أَنْ أُشْـرِكَ بِكَ وَأَنا أَعْـلَمْ، وَأَسْتَـغْفِرُكَ لِما لا أَعْـلَم

“O Allah, I take refuge in You lest I should commit shirk with You knowingly and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do unknowingly.” Reference : Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 716/ https://sunnah.com/adab:716

Personal Note : The above is based on my understanding of the lectures on the same by Dr. Farhat Hashmi , the commentary of Dr. Jamal Badi and, Summary of Umm Muhammad.