A Sufi Study of Hadith

About The Book

A Sufi Study of Hadith (Originally titled Haqiq 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.

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanawi 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 Maulana Thanawi 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. Maulana Thanwi's approach, like that of his illustrious mashaikh, stresses the complete harmony between Shariah and tariqah and their interrelatedness.

About The Author

Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (1280-1362 AH/1863-1943 CE), commonly referred to as Hakim al-Ummat ("Sage of the Ummah"), was a giant among the Islamic scholars of the twentieth century. He was a master in all branches of Islamic scholarship including Qur'an, Hadith, Fiqh and Tasawwuf. A prolific writer, he had more than a thousand publications to his credit.

He wrote for the minimally literate as effectively as he did for scholars. Nearly a century later some of his books remain as popular as they were when originally published. Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani writes, "The likeness of his accomplishments is not found in many preceding centuries." The Translator Khalid Baig is a writer on Islam and contemporary issues and the author ofFirst Things First: For Inquiring Minds and Yearning Hearts (2004).

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Reviews

A Sufi Study of Hadith (Originally titled Haqiqaal-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 aside 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. - Shaykh Yusuf Talal DeLorenzo

Alhamdulillah, MawlanaYusuf 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

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 Qutal-Qulub,and Abu Nu‘aym’s Hilya al-Awliya. Imam Junayd hassaid, “The spiritual path is blocked shut, except to those who seek out thetraces 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. Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller