Mishkat Al Masabih: An Expanded and Revised Version of Masabih Al-Sunnah by Imam Al-Tabrizi
Mishkat Al Masabih English: A Comprehensive Guide to a Classic Collection of Hadith
If you are looking for a reliable and authentic source of hadith, the sayings and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), you might want to check out Mishkat Al Masabih. This is a famous and widely used collection of hadith that covers almost all aspects of Islamic belief, jurisprudence, ethics, and virtues. In this article, we will explore what Mishkat Al Masabih is, who wrote it, what it contains, how it has been translated and commented upon in English, and how it can benefit us in our daily lives as Muslims.
Mishkat Al Masabih English
What is Mishkat Al Masabih?
Mishkat Al Masabih (Arabic: مشكاة المصابيح) means "A Niche for Lamps". It is an expanded version of an earlier collection of hadith called Masabih Al-Sunnah by Imam Al-Baghawi (d. 1122 CE). The author of Mishkat Al Masabih is Imam Muhammad ibn Abdullah Khatib Al-Tabrizi (d. 1340 CE), a renowned scholar of hadith and fiqh from Tabriz, Iran. He added more hadiths from various sources, such as the six authentic books (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasai, and Ibn Majah), Musnad Ahmad, Muwatta Malik, Sunan Darimi, Sunan Bayhaqi, and others. He also arranged the hadiths into different chapters and subchapters according to their topics and themes.
Mishkat Al Masabih is one of the most important and popular collections of hadith among Muslims, especially in the Indian subcontinent, where it is studied before the six authentic books. It is a comprehensive selection of hadith that covers almost all aspects of Islamic belief, jurisprudence (fiqh), ethics, manners, worship, social relations, history, prophecy, miracles, signs of the end times, and virtues. It also contains many hadiths that are not found in other collections.
The structure and content of Mishkat Al Masabih
Mishkat Al Masabih consists of three volumes or books (juz), each containing several chapters (kitab) and subchapters (bab). The total number of chapters is 29, and the total number of subchapters is 614. The total number of hadiths is approximately 6,000.
The first book deals with matters of faith (iman), knowledge (ilm), purification (tahara), prayer (salah), funerals (janaza), zakat (alms), fasting (sawm), the excellence of the Quran (fada'il al-Quran), supplications (dua), and the rites of pilgrimage (manasik).
The second book deals with business transactions (buyu'), inheritance and wills (faraid wa wasaya), marriage (nikah), emancipation (itq), oaths and vows (ayman wa nadhur), retaliation (qisas), prescribed punishments (hudud), the offices of commander and judge (imara wa qada'), jihad (striving in the way of Allah), game and animals which may be slaughtered (sayd wa dhabaih), foods (at'imah), clothing (libas), medicine and spells (tibb wa ruqa), and visions (ru'ya).
The third book deals with the virtues and merits of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions (fada'il al-nabi wa ashabihi), the signs of prophethood (alamat al-nubuwwa), the miracles of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions (mu'jizat al-nabi wa ashabihi), the events of the Prophet's life (sirat al-nabi), the battles of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions (ghazawat al-nabi wa ashabihi), the signs of the end times (ashrat al-sa'a), and the description of paradise and hellfire (sifat al-janna wa al-nar).
The hadiths in Mishkat Al Masabih are classified and graded according to their authenticity and reliability. Imam Al-Tabrizi followed the methodology of Imam Al-Baghawi, who used different terms to indicate the status of each hadith, such as sahih (sound), hasan (good), da'if (weak), mawdu' (fabricated), gharib (strange), mursal (interrupted), mu'allaq (suspended), mutawatir (mass-transmitted), ahad (isolated), mashhur (well-known), etc. He also mentioned the names of the narrators and their chains of transmission, as well as any defects or criticisms that might affect the validity of a hadith.
The English translations and commentaries of Mishkat Al Masabih
Mishkat Al Masabih has been translated and commented upon in many languages, including English. There are several English translations and commentaries available, some of which are:
Mishkat-ul-Masabih: A Collection of Hadith Relating to the Six Qualities of Da'wat and Tabligh by Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Kandhlawi. This is a partial translation of Mishkat Al Masabih, focusing on the hadiths that relate to the six qualities of da'wat and tabligh, which are: knowledge, practice, sincerity, patience, truthfulness, and brotherhood. It was published by Tablighi Jamaat in 1976.
Mishkat Al-Masabih: English Translation with Exhaustive Notes by Maulana Fazlul Karim. This is a complete translation of Mishkat Al Masabih, with extensive notes and explanations based on various sources, such as Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasai, Ibn Majah, Musnad Ahmad, Muwatta Malik, Sunan Darimi, Sunan Bayhaqi, Sharh Ma'ani Al-Athar by Imam Tahawi, Fath Al-Bari by Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani, Umdat Al-Qari by Badr Al-Din Al-Ayni, Mirqat Al-Mafatih by Mulla Ali Al-Qari, etc. It was published by Darul Ishaat in 2005.
Mishkat Shareef: English Translation by Mulana Abid Ali Damani. This is a complete translation of Mishkat Al Masabih, without any notes or commentary. It was published by Darul Uloom Karachi in 2011.
English Translation of Mishkat Sharah - Mazahir i Haq by Nawab Qutbuddin Khan Dehlawi. This is an English translation and detailed commentary of Mishkat Al Masabih based on Mazahir i Haq, an Urdu commentary by Nawab Qutbuddin Khan Dehlawi. Mazahir i Haq is a reliable and authentic explanation that has gained widespread acceptance in the Indian subcontinent. The English translation was done by Rafiq Abdur Rahman and published by Darul Ishaat in 2017.
These English translations and commentaries have many features and benefits for the readers, such as:
They provide - They provide accurate and clear translations of the original Arabic text of Mishkat Al Masabih, making it accessible and understandable to the English-speaking audience. - They provide detailed and insightful commentaries on the meanings, contexts, implications, and applications of the hadiths, drawing from various classical and contemporary sources of Islamic scholarship and wisdom. - They provide references and citations for the sources and authorities of the hadiths, as well as their classifications and gradings, enabling the readers to verify and evaluate the authenticity and reliability of the hadiths. - They provide additional information and resources for further reading and learning, such as biographies of the narrators, glossaries of terms, indexes of topics, appendices of related matters, etc. The relevance and application of Mishkat Al Masabih in modern times
Mishkat Al Masabih is not only a valuable source of hadith, but also a practical guide for Muslims in their daily lives. By reading and studying Mishkat Al Masabih, Muslims can benefit in many ways, such as:
They can increase their faith and knowledge of Allah, His names and attributes, His commands and prohibitions, His rewards and punishments, His signs and wonders, etc.
They can learn and follow the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his teachings and actions, his manners and morals, his virtues and miracles, his biography and legacy, etc.
They can understand and practice the principles and rules of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), such as purification, prayer, zakat, fasting, pilgrimage, marriage, inheritance, business transactions, oaths and vows, retaliation, prescribed punishments, jihad, etc.
They can develop and improve their character and ethics, such as honesty, sincerity, patience, gratitude, generosity, humility, justice, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, etc.
They can enhance and strengthen their relationships with Allah, His messengers, His angels, His books, His creation, their parents, their spouses, their children, their relatives, their neighbors, their friends, their enemies, etc.
They can cope and deal with the challenges and difficulties of modern times, such as doubts and confusion about faith and religion, - such as doubts and confusion about faith and religion, conflicts and violence among Muslims and with others, oppression and injustice by tyrannical rulers and regimes, poverty and corruption, ignorance and illiteracy, extremism and terrorism, etc. - They can find solutions and guidance from the hadiths that address these issues and offer wisdom and advice on how to deal with them in a manner that is pleasing to Allah and beneficial to humanity. - They can also learn from the examples and experiences of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions, who faced similar or worse challenges in their times, and how they overcame them with patience, perseverance, courage, trust in Allah, and adherence to the sunnah. Conclusion
Mishkat Al Masabih is a treasure trove of hadith that every Muslim should read and study. It is a comprehensive collection of hadith that covers almost all aspects of Islamic belief, jurisprudence, ethics, and virtues. It is also a practical guide for Muslims in their daily lives, especially in the modern times. By reading and studying Mishkat Al Masabih, Muslims can increase their faith and knowledge of Allah and His messenger (peace be upon him), follow their sunnah in all matters, understand and practice the principles and rules of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), develop and improve their character and ethics, enhance and strengthen their relationships with Allah and His creation, cope and deal with the challenges and difficulties of modern times, find solutions and guidance from the hadiths, and learn from the examples and experiences of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions.
Some suggestions and tips for further reading and learning are:
Choose a reliable and authentic English translation and commentary of Mishkat Al Masabih that suits your level of understanding and interest. You can refer to the list provided above or consult a scholar or a teacher for advice.
Read Mishkat Al Masabih regularly and systematically. You can start from the beginning or choose a chapter or a topic that interests you. You can also follow a study plan or a curriculum that covers Mishkat Al Masabih in a structured way.
Reflect on the meanings, contexts, implications, and applications of the hadiths. Try to relate them to your own life situations and experiences. Ask questions if you are not clear or if you want to know more.
Memorize some of the hadiths that are easy to remember and relevant to your life. Repeat them often and share them with others. Act upon them sincerely and consistently.
Seek more knowledge and information from other sources that are related to Mishkat Al Masabih, such as the Quran, the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the history of Islam, the sciences of hadith, etc.
We hope that this article has given you an overview of what Mishkat Al Masabih is, who wrote it, what it contains, how it has been translated and commented upon in English, and how it can benefit us in our daily lives as Muslims. We hope that this article has inspired you to read and study Mishkat Al Masabih and to apply its teachings in your life. May Allah guide us all to the truth and grant us His mercy and blessings. FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Mishkat Al Masabih:
What is the difference between Mishkat Al Masabih and Masabih Al-Sunnah?
Mishkat Al Masabih is an expanded and revised version of Masabih Al-Sunnah, which was compiled by Imam Al-Baghawi. Mishkat Al Masabih contains more hadiths from various sources, as well as a third section that was added by Imam Al-Tabrizi.
Who is the author of Mishkat Al Masabih?
The author of Mishkat Al Masabih is Imam Muhammad ibn Abdullah Khatib Al-Tabrizi, a renowned scholar of hadith and fiqh from Tabriz, Iran. He died in 1340 CE.
How many hadiths are there in Mishkat Al Masabih?
There are approximately 6,000 hadiths in Mishkat Al Masabih, divided into 29 chapters and 614 subchapters.
What are the main topics and themes covered in Mishkat Al Masabih?
Mishkat Al Masabih covers almost all aspects of Islamic belief, jurisprudence, ethics, and virtues. Some of the main topics and themes are: faith, knowledge, purification, prayer, funerals, zakat, fasting, the excellence of the Quran, supplications, the rites of pilgrimage, business transactions, inheritance and wills, marriage, emancipation, oaths and vows, retaliation, prescribed punishments, the offices of commander and judge, jihad, game and animals which may be slaughtered, foods, clothing, medicine and spells, visions, the virtues and merits of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions, the signs of prophethood, the miracles of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions, the events of the Prophet's life, the battles of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions, the signs of the end times, and the description of paradise and hellfire.
How can I access and read Mishkat Al Masabih in English?
There are several English translations and commentaries of Mishkat Al Masabih available online or offline. You can refer to the list provided above or consult a scholar or a teacher for advice. You can also visit websites such as sunnah.com or archive.org to read Mishkat Al Masabih online.
71b2f0854b