Shamail al Tirmidhi

By Imam Abi ‘Eesaa Muhammad bin ‘Eesa bin Sorah At-Tirmidhi (r.a)

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Introduction

All praise be to Allah who alone sustains the world. Exalted salaah (blessings) and complete salaam (peace) be on our master Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam and his family and companions.
The Shamaa-il of Imaam Abu ‘Eesa Tirmidhi has a collection of 397 ahaadith and is divided into 55 chapters on the physical description and character of our beloved Nabi Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam. It has been printed on numerous occasions and many commentaries have been written on it. The present English translation and comm -ntary is of the Khasaa-il Nabawi Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam by the late Shaykhul Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Rahmatullahi ‘Alayhi. It will enable a Muslim to achieve a link and connection with the one whom Allah Ta’aala has made as a mercy unto mankind, and most certainly Allah has spoken the truth when He mentions in His Book: “Verily, you (O Muhammad) are of a very high (noble) charac- ter”.
A Muslim can truly claim his love for Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam, if he attempts to follow the manner and life-style of the messenger of Islaam. We are given such an opportunity, after the reading of this book, for it enlightens the reader with the intimate aspect of the Rasul’s life.
Finally, we ask, Allah Ta’aala to reward us and that He instill within us the distinguished features and august character of this most noble messenger, who is the perfect example for Muslims.

Preface
This humble servant, at the request of my master Hadrat Maulana Khalil Ahmad Saahib, — May Allah fill his grave with nur and make his resting place cool— used to stay in Delhi quite often for a few days, to assist in the printing of his kitaab ‘Badhlul Majhud fi halli Abi Daawud’. There, a kind friend, Janab Muhammad ‘Uthmaan Khaan, urged me to write a short translation of the ‘Shamaa-il Tirmidhi’. Owing to my shortcomings, I knew I was not capable of this. Also, before this, I did not have an opportunity to either write a book or deliver a lecture. Janab Muhammad ‘Uthmaan Khaan, however, did not accept any of my excuses, due to certain kind thoughts he held regarding me. By virtue of my shortcomings I would never have attempted this translation. Since he was a close friend of my late father and, being mindful of the hadith, ‘The best relationship after a father’s death is to treat his friends kindly’, I did not have a way out but to present a short translation according to my understanding and there- after, acknowledging my incapability to the readers, and asking them to forgive me for the complications of the sentences and the dispersion of words and request them to give attention to the aim, that is, the noble character, habits, qualities, virtue, attributes and practices of the emperor of the worlds, Sayyidul Bashr, Sayyidina Muhammadur Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam. A wise person, does not, on account of an ugly and tattered veil, fail to pay attention to a beautiful face; and an understanding person does not, because of a bitter skin, throw away the delicious substance of a fruit. In this translation a few things have been given special importance:
a. Most of the sayings were taken from the writings of the great ‘ulama of the past, thus I did not resort to my own views

Most of the references in this translation are derived from the following books: ‘Jam’ul Wasaa-il’ of Mulla ‘AH Qaari Hanafi; ‘Munaawi’ of Shaykh ‘Abdur-Ra-oof Misri; ‘Mawaahib- Ladunniyyah’ of Shaykh Ebrahim Bayjuri and ‘Tah-debut Tah-dhib’ of Haafiz Ibn Hajar ‘Asqalaani.
c: Since the translation is meant for the layman, literal meanings have been given. Word-for-word translation has been avoided.
d. In addition to the translation many things have been added to serve as a commentary. This has been written separately after the actual translation.
e. At many places in the translation of the ahadith additional information has been provided.
f. Where there seems to be a contradiction between two hadith, the differences have been briefly explained.
g. The views of the different madhaa-hib have been mentioned briefly at places. The Hanafi madhhab has been especially men- tioned as the majority of the local population (i.e. the inhabitants of India) adhere to this madh-hab.
h. The proofs that substantiate the Hanafi madh-hab have been
mentioned briefly where deemed necessary, i. Where a battle or incident is mentioned in a hadith, that battle or
incident is described in the commentary, j. Where the relation of a hadith to a chapter is not obvious, an explanation has been provided, k. To keep the subject matter brief, with regard to those incidents that have not been narrated herein, the readers have been referred to their original sources. The name of the kilaab is given where they can be found in detail so that those who are interested may easily refer to them. 1. Utmost care has been taken to keep the subject under discussion short and precise, as readers may become bored with lengthy
discourses.
And divine guidance to me is but from Allah, on Him do I rely and to Him do I return.
Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhelwi.
presently residing in Delhi. (8th Jamadi-uth Thaani 1344)