The great muhaddith, Shaikhul Islam Hafiz Abu Ismail Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al-Harawi Ansari (481 AH) said:
“The book of Abu Esa Tirmithi is more beneficial than the books of Bukhari and Muslim. This is due to the fact that only a person of full knowledge can benefit from them, while this book (of Tirmithi), every faqeeh and muhaddith can benefit from it since he (Tirmithi) has commentated on each hadith and explained it.”[1]
This statement shows that a layman will not be able to really benefit fully from any of the above books of hadith. Simply knowing Arabic is not sufficient, let alone using a translation.
There are two aspects of a hadith:
- The chain of narration
- The text of the hadith
Imam Muslim does not explain any of the two of these in clear words. As for the text of hadith and the fiqh or laws that are derived from them, then he has not mentioned anything about it. When it comes to the chain of the hadith, he has subtlety indicated to points on it by simply bringing different narrations in a particular descending order. However, this method is so elusive that many muhadditheen totally over looked it. Only the extremely sharp muhadditheen have recognized and then tried to explain this aspect.
As for Imam Bukhari, then the issue of the chain of narration is similar to Muslim in vagueness. As for the fiqh and laws derived from the hadith, then Bukhari has indicated to it in the title of each chapter. However he has done this in a very concise and vague manner. This has caused the scholars to give multiple interpretation to exactly what Bukhari is saying. Therefore a person will not truly understand what Imam Bukhari is proving simply by reading his book. It is imperative to study the many Arabic commentaries on the book. These commentaries use many technical terms which can only be understood if someone has already studied Nahw, Sarf, Balagah, Mantiq, Fiqh, Principles of Tafsir, Principles of Hadith and Principles of Fiqh, and other similar subjects.
On the other hand after each hadith, Imam Tirmithi mentions the status of the hadith. If it is authentic he says such. If it is weak, he mentions the reason for it. Even then, only a muhaddith who has studied the principles of hadith and its many subjects will be able to understand it. This is why Harawi mentioned, that the muhaddith will understand and not that the layman will. As for the fiqh and laws that are derived from the hadith, then Tirmithi explains this in two ways. One, he has a title which indicates to the law being derived. After mentioning the hadith, he briefly mentions the opinions of the scholars and the law they derived from the hadith. Again, since this is mentioned briefly, a person who has studied fiqh will understand what is being said. Here as well, Harawi pointed out that a Faqeeh will be able to benefit. As for the layman, then he would need much more explanation which is not present in any of the early hadith compilations.
Unfortunately, we are living in a times when everyone has become an expert on Islam. Every Muslim wants to be able to interpret the Quran and Hadith using the English translations available. We would not take up books of medicine and self-study to become a doctor because we understand that there are many technical terms that need to be explained to us by an expert physician. Similarly, there are many technical terms used in the hadith books that cannot be understood without a teacher. May Allah allow us to study our Deen under reputable scholars and practice what we have learnt.
[1] Siyar A’lamin Nubalaa by Hafiz Zahabi Vol.18 Pg.513, Tazkiratul Huffaz by Zahabi Vol.3 Pg.1189
Assalamualikum brother
but can I read sharah of tirmizi my self
like darse tirmizi written by mufti taqi usmani حفظه الله . and even by just studying before practicing it I will surely ask a aalim in my city
there of can I study it ??
Wa Alaikumus Salam
Darse Tirmithi is an amazing book. It is a transcription of Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani sahib’s lectures on the ‘Sunan Tirmithi’ to the final year students in Darul Uloom Karachi.
A few points:
1. There is tremendous benefits in the book.
2. Even though discussions are simplified, all have taken into account the level of the students being spoken to. The audience is the final year students of a 13 year Alim program. They have studied many sciences of Islam in depths, like Aqidah, Fiqh, Tafsir, Principles of Fiqh and Principles of Hadith.
3. Therefore, in many places, Hazrat will use certain terminologies that would only be understood if the above subjects were studied beforehand.
4. If someone wants to learn how to perform wudhu or salah or any other ebadah or transaction, then a book of fiqh is the place to learn it under the tutelage of a reputable Alim.
5. The Darse Tirmithi is a place to learn the evidences for the different fiqhi positions that the Mujtahidun have adopted. N.B. Hazrat has not listed all the evidences available on each issue. Rather, no one book is sufficient to fulfill this.
6. If a person has an understanding of the subjects that were mentioned above then he will surely benefit from this book. And Allah Knows best.
Assalamu alaikum, I understand one should not attempt to learn fiqh and derive rulings from translations of such hadith books.
Are you also saying one should not read translations of such hadith books at all, even if one just wants to benefit from the authentic sayings of the Prophet salalhu alayi wasalam and does not derive his own rulings from the hadith?
Assalamu Alaikum
Allah Ta’ala states,
وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ ﴿١٧﴾
“And assuredly We have made the Qur’an easy for admonition; is there then anyone who would be admonished?” {Qamar:17}
“We have made this Qur’an easy as a reminder. Is there, then, any who will take heed?” {Qamar:22}
Allah also explains this further:
فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَاهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لِتُبَشِّرَ بِهِ الْمُتَّقِينَ وَتُنذِرَ بِهِ قَوْمًا لُّدًّا ﴿٩٧﴾
“Therefore, We have revealed the Qur’an in your tongue and made it easy to understand that you may give glad tidings to the God-fearing and warn a contentious people.” {Maryam:97}
From these verse, we see that the Quran Majid has such themes which are easily understandable by all, scholar and layman alike. These are verses which remind us of our purpose in life, speak about the greatness of Allah, mention the events of the past, etc.
On the other hand Allah commands,
فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٤٣﴾
“So ask the people of knowledge, if you do not know.” {Nahl:43}
He also said,
وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ
“But if they had referred it back to the Messenger or to those of authority among them, then the ones who [can] draw correct conclusions from it would have known about it.” {Nisaa:83}
From these verses, it becomes clear that there is another aspect to the Quran which only the scholars would understand and explain.
The same goes for hadith. Obviously, by the above article the latter is meant.
Muhaddithun have compiled books taking the layman into consideration. Books like “Targheeb wat Tarheeb”, “Riyadhus Saliheen”, “Jameul Uloom wal Hikam”, “Khasaaisul Nabawi”, “Fadhailul A’amaal”, to name a few. The Sihah Sittah also have relevant chapters.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam