Maarif al-Sunan sharh Sunan al-Tirmidhi

Maarif al-Sunan sharh Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Arabic: معارف السنن شرح جامع الترمذي) is a six-volume Arabic commentary on Sahih al-Tirmidhi. It was authored by Yusuf Banuri, who compiled the work based on the teachings and lectures of Anwar Shah Kashmiri. Published in 1968, the commentary aimed to address the errors found in another commentary called Al-Arf al-Shadhi sharh Sunan al-Tirmidhi, which was also based on the teachings of Anwar Shah Kashmiri.^[1]

Maarif al-Sunan sharh Sunan al-Tirmidhi

Arabic cover
Author	Yusuf Banuri
Original title	معارف السنن شرح جامع الترمذي
Language	Arabic
Subject	Sahih al-Tirmidhi
Genre	Commentary
Published	1968
Publication place	Pakistan
Media type	Print
OCLC	4770062989
Dewey Decimal	297.125
LC Class	BP135.A158 B36 1987

Background

Yusuf Banuri, born in 1908 in Mohabat Abad (now Mardan, Pakistan), received his early education in Kabul, Afghanistan, and Peshawar, Pakistan, under the guidance of renowned scholars. In 1925, he enrolled at Darul Uloom Deoband to pursue advanced studies in Hadith with Anwar Shah Kashmiri as his teacher. When Anwar Shah Kashmiri relocated to Jamia Islamia Talimuddin in 1927, Yusuf Banuri followed him to continue benefiting from his mentor's expertise in the field of Hadith.^[2]

During his time as a student of Anwar Shah Kashmiri, Yusuf Banuri recorded his teacher's lectures, which revolved around an extensive commentary on Sunan al-Tirmidhi. However, it was only after the passing of Anwar Shah Kashmiri that Yusuf Banuri felt compelled to publish this commentary, which he titled Maarif al-Sunan. The six-volume work, published in 1968 by al-Maktabah al-Binnuri in Arabic, addressed the misconceptions and errors attributed to Anwar Shah Kashmiri in Chiragh's Al-Arf al-Shadhi sharh Sunan al-Tirmidhi. By compiling Ma'arif al-Sunan from Anwar Shah Kashmiri's dictations on Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Yusuf Banuri aimed to rectify these inaccuracies.^[3][4]

Features

Key features of the book include an extensive exploration of the legal rulings of different jurists based on the Ahadith. The reporters of the Ahadith are diligently identified to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of their backgrounds. Furthermore, the book includes all the sources referenced by Anwar Shah Kashmiri during his lectures. In addition, Ma'arif al-Sunan incorporates specific discussions on various topics, such as the recitation of Al-Fatiha (the Opening Chapter of the Qur'an) during congregational prayers while following the Imam. These discussions summarize and integrate Anwar Shah Kashmiri's published work on the subject.^[5][6]

Approach

Yusuf Banuri employs Arabic poetry to help elucidate the meanings of words and delve into matters related to Arabic grammar and eloquence.^[7] Yusuf Banuri's approach in Ma'arif al-Sunan includes a unique classification of Sahiḥ (authentic) Ahadith by Anwar Shah Kashmiri. He categorizes them into four groups:^[8]

1. Ahadith reported by just, pious, and reliable narrators with excellent memory are considered the most authentic.
2. Ahadith that have gained consensus among Hadith scholars regarding their authenticity are given secondary importance.
3. Ahadith deemed authentic by specific scholars, such as Ibn Khuzaymah, Ibn Hibban, and Ibn Awanah, are considered separately.
4. Finally, Ahadith that have not been criticized, reported by trustworthy narrators, and accepted as authentic by classical scholars of Hadith are included.

Reception

Regarding the reception of the book, Idris Kandhlawi praises Yusuf Banuri for preserving his teacher Kashmiri's knowledge and successfully fulfilling the responsibility of interpreting and commenting on their shared field of expertise.^[9] Ilhom Abdusattorov Baxriddinovich, a PhD scholar at the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, commends the unique style of the commentary, describing it as a valuable contribution to the understanding of Sunan al-Tirmidhi in the twentieth century.^[10] It was stated by Abdel-Halim Mahmoud, Grand Imam of al-Azhar that Ma'arifus Sunan stands out due to the remarkable nature of its explanations, the methodology of its deductions, and the literary style of its Arabic language. Taqi Usmani also mentioned that anyone who desires to witness the Hadith expertise of Anwar Shah Kashmiri should explore the book Ma'arifus Sunan for a glimpse of his mastery.^[11]

Legacy

Muhammad Taqi completed an Master of Philosophy thesis titled Al-Ifadat al-Tafsiriya fi Ma'arif al-Sunan Sharh Sunan al-Tirmidhi li al-Sheikh Yousuf al-Banori under the supervision of Syed Asif Mahmood at the International Islamic University Islamabad in Pakistan.^[12] Hafiz Anas Bilal also achieved a Doctor of Philosophy in 2021 by completing his thesis, titled Tuhfatul Ahwazi wa Maaref al Sunan Sharh Sunan al Tirmidhi Dirasatun musqaranah hadeesan wa fiqhan, under the supervision of Saud Alam Qasmi at Aligarh Muslim University.^[13]

See also

• Deobandi hadith studies

References

1. Ahmad, Zubair; Ali, Syed Shahrukh; Ali, Shahbaz (2022). "The efforts of the Scholars of Binnori Town on the Sunan of Imam Tirmizi". Khairulummah (in Urdu). 2 (1): 178–187. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7657739. ISSN 2790-329X. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
2. Azmi, Shujaur Rahman (2018). "The approach of Sheikh Yusuf Al-Banuri in his book Maarif al-Sunan" (PDF). Wahdatul Ummah. India: Darul Uloom Waqf: 234. ISSN 2348-5051. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
3. Osman 2001, p. 119.
4. Khatoon, Aaisha (2017). Aazadi ke Baad Hindustan ki Khidmaat e Hadith (PhD) (in Urdu). India: Department of Sunni Theology, Aligarh Muslim University. pp. 119–123. hdl:10603/364027. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
5. Osman, Yunoos (2001). Life and works of 'Allamah Muhammad Anwar Shah Kashmiri (PhD thesis). University of Durban-Westville. pp. 119–120. hdl:10413/6384. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
6. Kamal, Mohd Arif (2020). Ulema e Hind ki Bisween Sadi Nisf Awwal mein Khidmat e Hadith Tanquidi Mutala (PhD) (in Urdu). India: Department of Sunni Theology, Aligarh Muslim University. pp. 139–142. hdl:10603/364940. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
7. Saleem, Hafiz Muhammad; Badshah, Hafiz Muhammad (2022). "Study of poetic evidences about lexical meaning in Maarif Al Sunan by Shaikh Muhammad Yousaf Binnri (died 1397 ah)". Al-Azhār (in Arabic). 8 (1): 16–155. doi:10.46896/alazhr.v8i01.345 (inactive 1 November 2024). ISSN 2519-6707. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2023.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)
8. Osman 2001, p. 121.
9. Kaleem, Mohd (2017). Contribution of Old boys of Darul uloom Deoband in Hadith Literature (PhD) (in Urdu). India: Department of Sunni Theology, Aligarh Muslim University. p. 365. hdl:10603/364028. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
10. Baxriddinovich, Ilhom Abdusattorov (2023). "The Role Of Muhammad Yusuf Banuri In The Development Of Islamic Sciences". Finland International Scientific Journal of Education, Social Science & Humanities. 11 (6): 56. ISSN 2945-4492. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
11. Kajee, Imraan; Kajee, Moosa (2018). The legacy of the Ulama of Deoband. South Africa: Spiritual Light. p. 50. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
12. "Curriculum Vitae – Dr. Syed Asif Mahmood" (PDF). International Islamic University Islamabad, Pakistan. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
13. Bilal, Hafiz Anas (2021). Tuhfatul Ahwazi wa Maaref al Sunan Sharh Sunan al Tirmidhi Dirasatun musqaranah hadeesan wa fiqhan (PhD) (in Urdu). India: Department of Sunni Theology, Aligarh Muslim University. hdl:10603/414044.

• Adrawi, Asir (1995). Dabistan-i Deoband ki Ilmi Khidmaat (PDF) (in Urdu). Deoband, UP, India: Darulmuaallifeen. pp. 105–107. OCLC 47964786.

External links

• Maarif al-Sunan sharh Sunan al-Tirmidhi at Internet Archive