The Etiquette of Hadith (Advices)

This is not supposed to be a standalone document; it is merely a guiding summary to assist in note making. ‘The Etiquette of Hadith’ by Shaykh Maulana Saleem Dhorat (may Allah preserve him) is a book containing many advices, quotes and stories to motivate the student of Hadith in making the most of their studies. It is very short and can be read in a 30 min sitting.

If a person does not know they have a treasure, they will be unable to benefit from it. If a person knows they have a treasure but do not know how to handle it, they too will be unable to benefit from it. The student of Hadith should recognise that the Ahadith are full of light and guidance. One who shows through their behaviour – their etiquette – that they want to be bathed in the guidance of this light, will surely see the blessings of studying Hadith after the very first lesson, with Allah’s Grace. Maulana Rumi (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
طرق العشـق كـلها آداب
أدبوا النفس أيها الاصحـاب

Bullet points from the book ‘The Etiquette of Hadith’ by Shaykh Maulana Saleem Dhorat hafizhahullah (translated by Maulana Mohamed Mohamedy)

INWARD ETIQUETTES

1. Have the Azhmat (honour) of the knowledge in your heart
2. Have the Muhabbah (love) of the knowledge in your heart
3. Have the correct intention:
   a. To earn the pleasure of Allah Almighty
   ((مَنْ تعلَّم علْمًا ممَّا يُبْتَغى به وَجْهُ الله -عز وجل- لا يَتَعلَّمُه إلا لِيُصِيبَ به عَرَضًا من الدنيا، لمْ يَجِد عَرْفَ الجنة يومَ القيامة.))
   الحديث رواه ابو داؤدو أحمد و ابن ماجة

b. To have a glow in this world and hereafter
((نضَّر الله امرءًا سمِع مقالَتي فوعاها وحفِظها وبلَّغها فرُبَّ حاملِ فقهٍ إلى من هو أفقهُ منه.))
الحديث رواه الترمذي
c. To earn closeness to Rasulullah (peace be upon him)
((أولى الناس بي يوم القيامة أكثرهم عليّ صلاة))
الحديث رَوَاهُ التِّرمِذِيُّ

d. To earn the title of ‘Khulafā’ of Rasulullah (peace be upon him)

عن ابن عباس قال : قال النبي – صلى الله عليه وسلم : (( اللهم ارحم خلفائي )) قلنا : يا رسول الله ، ومن خلفاؤك ؟ قال

((الذين يأتون من بعدي ، يروون أحاديثي ويعلمونها الناس)) .
الحديث رواه الطبراني في الأوسط ، وفيه أحمد بن عيسى بن عبد الله الهاشمي
e. To understand the Holy Qur’an
بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالزُّبُرِ ۗ وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ.
(سورة النحل : ٤٤)
f. To take enjoyment from the words of the Beloved (peace be upon him)
g. To earn the Sha’n (honour) of Sahabiyat (Prophetic companionship)
The poet says:
أهلُ الحديثِ هُمُ أهلُ النبيّ وإن
لم يصحَبوا نفسَهُ ، أنفاسَهُ صَحِبوا
h. To adorn one’s self with the Prophetic character

OUTWARD ETIQUETTES

1. Utilise your full strength and means
2. Never miss a lesson
3. Always be in a state of Wudu
4. Apply scent and be clean
5. Learn the pre-requisite sciences
6. Read the Ibarat (text) correctly
7. Recite the correct Ad’iah after the names of pious people and keep respect for them in the heart
8. Take the name of your teacher with Ta’zheem (honour)
9. Act upon the knowledge
10. Respect the teacher
11. Respect the tools of knowledge
12. Be considerate to classmates
13. Have the Jazba (zeal) to spread knowledge of Deen
14. Don’t hide knowledge when you can help someone
15. Adopt Akhlāq Hameedah (praiseworthy character)
16. Write the knowledge down, do not merely listen to it
17. Have Mudāwamat (continuity) on the etiquettes
18. Make Mashwarah (consultation) with your spiritual elders instead rushing into a decision

BENEFITS OF ADOPTING ETIQUETTES

1. The Nusrat (help) of Allah Almighty will be with you
2. Falah (success) in acquiring knowledge
3. The colour of this knowledge will be manifested on you
   صِبْغَةَ اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللَّهِ صِبْغَةً ۖ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ عَابِدُونَ
   (سورة البقرة: ١٣٨)
4. Allah Almighty will make you a means to convey this colour to others