Books by Imam an-Nawawi: Where to Start

Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya ibn Sharaf an-Nawawi (631–676 AH) was born in Nawa, a village south of Damascus. He came to Damascus at around eighteen, lived simply, and gave his days to study, attending many lessons a day across hadith, fiqh and the Arabic language. He later taught hadith at Dar al-Hadith al-Ashrafiyyah, and he died at about forty-five, having written a body of work that is still taught across the Muslim world.

In some matters of Allah's attributes, an-Nawawi followed interpretations that differ from the way of the Salaf, and the scholars of the Sunnah have pointed this out while benefiting from his hadith works. That is why most of what we carry of his comes with the explanation of Shaykh Ibn al-Uthaymin, Shaykh Ibn Baz or Shaykh al-Fawzan. If you have searched for books by Imam an-Nawawi and felt unsure where to begin, this guide groups the titles we carry at The Islamic Book Cafe and gives you a reading order.

An-Nawawi's Forty Hadith and Its Explanations

The Forty Hadith is his short collection of narrations that together gather the foundations of the religion: intention, the pillars of Islam and iman, the lawful and the unlawful, character and dealings. It is memorised by children and explained by scholars, and we carry it at two depths.

The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi's 40 Hadith by Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan explains each hadith in a few pages, with its lessons drawn out plainly. It is the right edition to start with. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi by Jamaal al-Din Zarabozo runs to two hardback volumes and around 1,800 pages, for the reader who wants each narration studied in depth.

Riyad as-Saliheen: Gardens of the Righteous

Riyad as-Saliheen is his collection of hadith arranged under chapter headings that cover the whole of a believer's life: sincerity, repentance, patience, truthfulness, the rights of others, manners of eating and travel, the remembrance of Allah. An-Nawawi opens most chapters with the verses on the subject before the hadith. Many families read a chapter a day.

Riyad-us-Saliheen with Commentary (2 Volume Set) gives the full collection with notes. Commentary on Riyadh as-Salihin (2 Volume Set) carries the explanation of Shaykh Abdul Aziz ibn Baz. For single chapters explained at length by Shaykh Ibn al-Uthaymin, we carry three: the Chapter on Truthfulness, the Chapter on Moderation in Acts of Obedience, and the Chapter on Humility. These short volumes suit a reader who wants to work through one quality of character at a time.

To see where these sit among other hadith works, read our guide to the best hadith books.

Where to Start with Imam an-Nawawi's Books

Start with Shaykh al-Fawzan's explanation of the 40 Hadith, one hadith at a time. Once you have the forty, open Riyad-us-Saliheen and read it steadily, a chapter a day, with Ibn Baz's commentary beside it when you want more. Keep Zarabozo's two volumes for a second, deeper pass through the forty.

The scholars who explain his books have their own guides: see books by Shaykh al-Fawzan and books by Ibn al-Uthaymeen. For short works on the heart built on hadith, see books by Ibn Rajab.

Browse the full Imam an-Nawawi book collection any time, and to plan the rest of your library, see our complete guide to the best Islamic books by topic. If you are unsure which book suits your level, reach out on live chat. We are always glad to help you choose.

Baarakallahu feekum — The Islamic Book Cafe | Portland, Oregon.