Commentator’s Introduction

All praise belongs to Allah. We praise Him, seek His help, and ask His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils within ourselves and from the consequences of our misdeeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can lead astray; and whomever He allows to stray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

“O you who believe, be mindful of Allah as He deserves to be feared, and do not die except in a state of Islam.” (Āl ʿImrān 3:102)

“O mankind, be mindful of your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it created its spouse, and from the two spread many men and women. Be mindful of Allah, in Whose name you appeal to one another, and of the ties of kinship. Truly Allah is ever Watchful over you.” (al-Nisāʾ 4:1)

“O you who believe, be mindful of Allah and speak words that are right. He will set your deeds aright and forgive you your sins. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed achieved a tremendous triumph.” (al-Aḥzāb 33:70–71)

To proceed:

The most truthful speech is the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. The worst matters are those newly introduced; every novelty is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance.

This beneficial, extended introduction pertains to the book Riyād al-Ṣāliḥīn, authored by the hadith scholar and memoriser Imām al-Nawawī—may Allah have mercy on him. It is an excellent work, one we have not previously studied. I have therefore resolved that we begin it, asking Allah the Exalted to enable us to complete it with goodness, for it is a book that benefits the heart as well as the outward deeds carried out by the limbs. For that reason, one should devote careful attention