Question:
As-Salamu Alaykum Shaykh Gibril,
Is the English translation of Sahih Muslim, with Imam Nawawi’s commentary, by Adil Salahi a reliable translation? Or should one rather avoid it?
JazakAllah khayr
Answer:
Waalaykumussalam warahmatullah,
Allah Most High gave a handful of Amir-al-Mu’minin-size scholars in the Umma the ability to plumb the depths of hadith mastership as well as comparative fiqh. Such figures reached the level of what was called mujtahid mutlaq (absolute mujtahid) even if they did not all necessarily practice it. Hence Imam Nawawi’s commentary on Imam Muslim’s Sahih, by agreement of the Umma, illustrated and transcended both the genres of Hadith diraya (applied understanding) and Shafi`i culture, and they were both self-effaced, perfectionist Godsends of the first rank.
An English translation of it would therefore require (i) a solid formation in both the rather vast above-mentioned genres (something like what they called istiqra‘) at the feet of agreed-upon contemporary masters, (ii) uncommon experience in translating Hadith and Fiqh, and most importantly, (iii) intelligence of, and dedication to Nawawi’s transparent-thinking style and holistic vision. The result would approximate, even in English — with the help of Allah Almighty — the well-grounded Sunni schooling and jurisprudential-encyclopedic referentiality of his original. What better illustration of the Prophetic definition of Allah’s gift of the greatest good to an individual as “fiqh (deep intelligence) of the faith-system” (Bukhari and Muslim)?
Allah Most High and His Words, the Holy Prophet (upon him blessings and peace) and his words, Imam Muslim, Imam Nawawi (Allah have mercy on them) and their works therefore deserved the very highest caliber of selfless funders, ulama translators, and publishers to make such a translation for the ages shine as it ought, not for dunya vanity but as a lasting beautiful service — in sha Allah — to seekers of truth and knowledge from all walks of life and all kinds of specialization.
Allah knows best. We welcome such labor with open arms and we sincerely thank everyone involved.
Hajj Gibril Haddad
