Forty Hadith Qudsi

Forty Hadith Qudsi – A Timeless Collection of Divine Wisdom

There is a category of narration in Islamic tradition unlike any other. In Forty Hadith Qudsi, Allah Himself speaks — and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ carries His words to us. Compiled by the beloved scholar Imam Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi, this collection gathers forty of these sacred narrations, each one a direct window into the mercy, wisdom, and intimate address of the Creator to His creation. They are not merely historical texts. They are conversations between Allah and His servants — and they speak as powerfully today as they ever have.

This Arabic–English edition invites readers into both the beauty of the original Arabic and a fluent, faithful translation by Ezzeddin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies. Whether you are sitting with it for the first time or returning to it after years, Forty Hadith Qudsi offers something rare: spiritual clarity rooted in the deepest sources of the Islamic tradition — the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.

Why This Book Matters Today

In an age of noise and distraction, believers still hunger for something real — words that settle the heart and remind the soul of what truly matters. Forty Hadith Qudsi answers that hunger. These are not human reflections on faith; they are divine messages, transmitted through the most trustworthy of all messengers ﷺ, speaking directly to the questions every believer carries: Am I forgiven? Does my sincerity matter? Will Allah accept my turning back to Him?

The answer, found again and again in these narrations, is one of overwhelming mercy. Allah says: “Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.”

This is the spirit that breathes through every page of this collection — a reminder that no matter where a believer stands, the door of return is always open.

What Makes This Book Unique

• A carefully selected sacred hadith collection compiled by the towering Imam An-Nawawi — one of the most trusted names in Islamic scholarship
• The full Arabic text presented alongside a clear, natural English translation, so nothing is lost in the reading
• Narrations short enough to memorise, yet deep enough to spend a lifetime reflecting on
• A focused collection devoted entirely to divine address — Allah speaking to His servants through the Prophet ﷺ
• Beloved in Islamic learning circles across the world, and equally suited to quiet personal devotion

While vast collections like Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim cover the full breadth of prophetic tradition, Forty Hadith Qudsi occupies a uniquely intimate space — narrations in which Allah addresses His servants with a directness and tenderness that never fails to move the heart.

Key Themes and Knowledge Inside

Each narration in Forty Hadith Qudsi carries a weight of meaning that rewards slow, thoughtful reading. Together, they map the inner landscape of Islamic spirituality — what it means to believe, to worship, to fall short, and to be lifted back up by divine mercy.

• The boundless mercy and forgiveness of Allah
• The centrality of sincere intention in every act of worship
• The path of repentance and the beauty of returning to Allah in humility
• Accountability before Allah on the Day of Judgment
• The transformative power of charity and righteous deeds
• Tawheed — the Oneness of Allah — as the foundation of all Islamic belief

These are not abstract doctrines. Through these narrations, readers begin to see how Islamic spirituality is lived — how belief takes root in the heart and then shapes every gesture, every choice, every day.

The Scholarly Authority of Imam An-Nawawi

To hold a work compiled by Imam Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi (1233–1277 CE) is to hold something of enormous scholarly weight. A master jurist of the Shafi’i tradition and one of the most authoritative hadith scholars in Islamic history, Imam An-Nawawi left behind a body of work — including Riyadh al-Salihin and his celebrated commentary on Sahih Muslim — that continues to be studied in Islamic institutions around the world.

His compilation of Forty Hadith Qudsi is no exception. Every narration was selected with care and purpose — not simply to preserve knowledge, but to nurture the soul of the reader who sits with it.

Who Should Read Forty Hadith Qudsi

• Students of hadith and Islamic theology deepening their foundation
• Muslims seeking spiritual nourishment and a closer connection to Allah
• Teachers and participants in Islamic study circles looking for meaningful texts to explore together
• Readers drawn to the sacred narrations that sit at the very heart of Islamic tradition
• Anyone who has ever longed to hear — in the words of the Prophet ﷺ — what Allah says to those who turn to Him

Because each narration is concise and carries its meaning clearly, Forty Hadith Qudsi is also a natural choice for memorisation — and for the kind of daily reflection that keeps faith alive.

Practical Benefits for the Reader

• Find renewed hope and comfort in Allah’s mercy and willingness to forgive
• Deepen your understanding of the spiritual teachings that sit at Islam’s core
• Cultivate sincerity, humility, and ethical awareness in your daily life
• Carry concise, authentic reminders that stay with you long after the book is closed
• Support your personal spiritual growth through the kind of unhurried, meaningful contemplation these narrations invite

Returning to Forty Hadith Qudsi regularly is not simply an act of study — it is an act of remembrance. And remembrance, as the Qur’an tells us, is what the heart was made for.

Edition and Publication Quality

• Title: Forty Hadith Qudsi
• Author: Imam Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi
• Translator: Ezzeddin Ibrahim & Denys Johnson-Davies
• Publisher: Idara Impex
• Publication Year: 2019
• Pages: 127
• Language: Arabic & English
• Edition: Paperback
• ISBN-10: 8171015883
• ISBN-13: 9788171015887

This bilingual edition of Forty Hadith Qudsi presents the Arabic text and English translation side by side — thoughtfully produced for students, scholars, and everyday readers who want to engage with these narrations in their full richness.

Recommended Reading

To explore the noble lineage connected to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, readers may also benefit from the biography: Abdullah – The Father of the Holy Prophet

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Hadith Qudsi?

Hadith Qudsi are sacred narrations in which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ conveys meanings revealed directly by Allah. They occupy a unique place in Islamic tradition — distinct from the Qur’an in form, yet carrying divine guidance of profound spiritual weight.

Is this book suitable for beginners?

Absolutely. The narrations are concise, the translation is clear, and the themes are universal. A reader new to Islamic studies will find it welcoming; a seasoned student will find it inexhaustible.

Does the book include Arabic text?

Yes. This edition of Forty Hadith Qudsi presents both the original Arabic and the English translation, allowing readers to engage with each narration in its full depth — and, for those who wish, to begin memorising them in their original tongue.

Why are Hadith Qudsi important?

Because in them, Allah speaks. They offer believers a direct encounter with divine mercy, divine forgiveness, and divine guidance — transmitted through the Prophet ﷺ with a tenderness and intimacy that is unlike anything else in the Islamic canon.