Commentary on the Forty Hadith of Al-Nawawi (3-Volume Set)

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, Informative
Review: I read these books and, as always, found the author's work very informative and easy to read. This is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding these very important statements from the Prophet Muhammad, may prayers and peace be upon him.

Rating:
Summary: Strong scholarship w/ a Puritanical zeal
Review: In these 3 volumes, Jamaal Zarabozo examines each of an-Nawawi's 40 hadith in-depth. For each one he provides the Arabic text, his own translation, a selected vocabulary list, analysis of the hadith's authenticity, detailed commentary on each sentence of the hadith, and reflections on the topics covered by the hadith. In doing so, he covers a huge variety of issues, and provides a wealth of information for the reader.

The analysis Zarabozo does is often influenced by his anti-madhabism, puritanism, and deep respect for scholars like al-Albani. Yet despite his intelletual leanings, the work is free from most "Salafi" rhetoric, and sticks closely to issues that are relevant for all Muslims regardless of their "methodology". Zarabozo is most concerned with giving Muslims a deep understanding of these extrememly important hadith, and I would definetely recommend this book to any serious student of Islamic knowledge.