| Shama'il al-Tirmidhi |
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Shama’il al-Tirmidhi Online
In April 2007, Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi, may Allah preserve him, delivered a four-day intensive course in Birmingham, UK, reading from al-Shama’il al-Muhammadiyyah, the well-known collection of Prophetic narrations describing the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. By the grace of Allah most High, the Arabic text was taught in its entirety, accompanied by English translation and commentary. The event had an unprecedented attendance, as thousands of students gathered for a spiritual journey led by one of the grandsons and heirs of the Prophet.
Sacred Knowledge is pleased to announce an online course of al-Shama’il, consisting of video selections from the programme in 2007. All the video clips will be available free of charge to view and no registration is required. We hope to upload 20 minute video clips every 2 weeks (subject to change). The Arabic reading of the text has been omitted. We would recommend that viewers read the biography of Imam al-Tirmidhi and the article “Importance of Studying al-Shama’il”, as well as obtaining a copy of the book. The book has already been translated into English, and a new translation is due to be published by Fons Vitae.
Biography of Imam al-Tirmidhi He is Muhammad ibn `Isa ibn Sura ibn Musa, Abu `Isa al-Sulami al-Bughi al-Tirmidhi, of Termez (Tirmidh), in present-day Uzbekistan. He was born in 209 AH (824 CE). A hadith master (hafiz) and Imam, he was a student of Imam al-Bukhari, Ishaq ibn Rahawayh, and listened to Muslim and Abu Dawud and their shaykhs. He travelled in pursuit of knowledge to Khurasan, Iraq, Medina, and Mecca, and authored a number of works in history and hadith, among the most famous of which are his five-volume al-Jami` al-Kabir [The major collection], also known as Sahih al-Tirmidhi; and his al-Shama’il al-Nabawiyyah. `Umar ibn `Allak said of Tirmidhi, “Bukhari died without leaving anyone in Khurasan like Abu `Isa in knowledge, memory, piety, and asceticism…” In later life, it is said he wept until he went blind. He died in Termez on Monday night, 17th Rajab 279 AH (892 CE). May Allah have mercy on him. Importance of Studying al-Shama'il O friends! If the beloved and his people are far away, And meeting him is too difficult, and his home is distant, And you have lost the chance to see him with your own eyes,
You have not lost the chance to hear his description
Shaykh Muhammad Jassus (Allah be pleased with him) informed us that there are six essential reasons for learning al-Shama’il al-Muhammadiyyah:
[2] The knowledge that is inclusive in knowing the Prophet's (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) excellent qualities is a means to having great love for him. Love for the Prophet is the very spirit of faith, which is the foundation of every happiness and rank in spiritual leadership; [3] Endeavouring to know about the noble traits and superb features of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is a form of giving service to him, a form of praise of him, and respect for his exalted esteem; [4] Knowledge of the splendid attributes of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) furnishes assistance in the actual witnessing of his noble essence. [5] In mentioning and hearing the noble traits of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) there is blessing and delight for those who love him in their hearts, coolness of the eyes for those who seek nearness, gathering and arrival with him, upon him be peace; and [6] In mentioning his excellent traits it causes love and yearning to move dynamically in the hearts causing the breasts to expand and the hearts to become liberated until the lover becomes absent in mentioning the Beloved (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). Al-Shama’il al-Muhammadiyyah opens with the description of the physical traits and inner character of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and culminates with the vision of the Beloved as an indication of the reality that preoccupation with learning his traits, merits and noble biography is one of the causative factors in arriving at visions of him and drawing near to him. We ask Allah Most High to make us among those who enjoy that joyous vision, Amin. |
