About Imam al-Nawawi & The Forty Hadith
A short introduction to the scholar behind one of the most widely read collections in Islamic study.
Who was Imam al-Nawawi?
Yaḥyā ibn Sharaf al-Nawawī (1233–1277 CE) was a Shāfiʿī jurist and hadith scholar from Nawā in southern Syria. Despite a short life, he authored works still studied across the Muslim world today, including Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn and his commentary on Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.
Why the Forty Hadith?
Al-Nawawi gathered 42 hadiths he considered foundational pillars of Islam — covering belief, worship, ethics, and social conduct. The collection has been memorized, taught, and translated for centuries because each hadith opens onto a vast field of meaning.
About this app
This Progressive Web App pairs the Arabic text with English translation, recited audio in both languages, and word-level highlighting — so you can read, listen, and study at your own pace on any device.
Start exploring
- Open the complete list of all 42 hadiths.
- Begin with Hadith 1: Actions are by intentions.
- Or jump to Hadith 2: Islam, Iman, and Ihsan.
- Return to the bookshelf home page any time.