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Malik's Muwatta
Sahih Bukhari | Sahih Muslim | Abu Dauad | Shmail -la- Termizi | Malik Mouta | Fiqh-us-Sunnah | Extra(40 Hadith Qudsi, Novi's Hadiths etc) |
The Hadith : Maliks Muwatta.
English Translation by Aisha Abdarahman at-Tarjumana and Yaqub Johnson.
Introduction.
Imam Maliks Muwatta is a collection of sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad (SAW... Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), also known as the sunnah. The reports of the Prophet's sayings and deeds are called ahadith.
Imam Malik was a prominent scholar of Islam, and is the originator of the Maliki judicial school of thought. He is reputed to have had over one thousand students. During Imam Maliks lifetime, he steadily revised his Muwatta, so it reflects over forty years of his learning and knowledge. It contains a few thousand hadith.
A great number of scholars and muhadditheen have spoken and referred to Imam Maliks great knowledge and literary works. Amongst his various literary compilations (Muwatta) is the most eminent.
Imam Shaafi'ee has stated regarding Maliks Muwatta : "On the face of the earth there is no book(s) more authentic than Muwatta." It should be borne in mind that Imam Shafi'ee passed away in the year 204 A.H. before the compilation of Sahih Bukhari. Today, it is a unanimously agreed opinion that Sahih Bukhari is ranked as No.1 in this field.
It is important to realize, however, that Imam Maliks collection is not complete: there are other scholars who worked as Imam Malik did and collected other reports.
Background.
It is said that Imam Malik sought out over three hundred Sahaba (those who saw the Companions of the Holy Prophet). From them he acquired the knowledge of the Holy Prophet's sayings, Hadith, (plural ahadith) - and the Holy Prophet's Deeds, - Sunnah. Imam Malik studied Fiqh under the guidance of nearly one hundred learned Shaikhs who were residing in the city of the Prophet at the time. Among Imam Maliks writings is the great work entitled Kitab-al-Muwatta, which is the earliest surviving book(s) of Islamic law and Hadith. It quotes sayings as well as the practices according to the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW) as observed by Muslims in Medina. Although Imam Malik wrote many treatises dealing with religion and ethics, Kitab-al-Muwatta is acknowledged as the most important among his writings.
It is said that Imam Malik had originally recorded ten thousand ahadith in this book(s), but in a revised edition the Imam reduced the number to only one hundred and seventy-two.
Imam Maliks literary works as stated by Qaazi Ayaadh are as follows :
1. Kitaabul Mu'atta.
2. Risaalatu Maalik Ilaa Ibn Wahab Fil Qadr.
3. Al-Mudawwanatul Kubraa.
4. Risaalatu Maalik Fil Aq'dhiyah.
5. Risaalatu Maalik Ilaa Gassaan Ibn Muhammad Ibn Mutarrif Fil Fatwaa.
6. Risaalatu Maalik Ilaa Haaroonir Rasheed Al' Mash' hooratu Fil Aadaabi Wal.
Mawaa'iz:
7. Tafseeru Ghareebil Qur'an.
8. Kitaabus Sirr.
9. Risaalatu Maalik Ilaa Layth Fi Ijmaa'i Ahlil Madinah.
Brief Biography Of Imam Malik.
Abu Abdullah, Malik bin Anas, was born in Medina in the year 204 A.H. His ancestral home was in Yemen, but his grandfather settled in Medina after embracing Islam. He received his education in Medina, which was the most important seat of Islamic learning, and where the immediate descendants of the Companions of the Holy Prophet lived. Imam Malik was highly attracted to the study of law, and devoted his entire interest to the study of Fiqh.
As He was born in the era of Taabi'een, Malik acquired great knowledge from many famous Taabi'een, jurists and also muhadditheen.
He was famous for his piety and integrity and courageously stood up, and was prepared to suffer, for his convictions. For example, when the governor of Medina demanded and forced people to take the oath of allegiance to Khalifa al-Mansour, Imam Malik issued a Fatwa that such an oath was not binding, because it was given under duress. This resulted in many people finding courage to express their opposition, but the Imam was arrested, found guilty of defiance and publicly flogged.
When al-Mansour, learnt of this outrage, he apologized to the Imam and dismissed the governor. Sometime later the Khalifa sent him three thousand Dinars for his travelling expenses and invited him to come and reside in Baghdad. Imam Malik refused the offer and indicated that he preferred to continue his residence in Medina where the Holy Prophet was buried. When the Khalifa Haroun-al-Rasheed visited Medina when he came to perform Hajj, he summoned him to visit him and deliver a lecture. The Imam politely refused to go to the ruler but invited him to attend the class of students to whom he delivered regular lectures. The Khalifa, accompanied by his two sons, accepted the invitation and sat among the students to hear the Imam's lecture.
Teachings.
From infanthood he was surrounded by the very gardens of Madinah Munawwarah. Imam Malik did not set foot outside Madinah Munawwarah for purposes of acquiring knowledge. His own household was a resort of knowledge.
He acquired Qur'anic teachings from Naafe' and Abdur Rahmaan other than Naafe'; He sought knowledge from others too. Namely, Abdur Rahmaan Ibn Hurmuz, Safwaan Ibn Sulaym, Ibn Shihaab Zuhri etc.
Due to his intelligence, efforts, zeal and determination, upon reaching the age of 17, he had acquired a vast amount of Islamic knowledge which was of great standard and it was at this very age, with the approval of his teachers and scholars that he commenced teaching and conducting theories.
He would appoint his specific writer; Habeeb, to recite ahadith from Muwatta (prestigious hadith book(s) compiled by Imam Malik himself). The other students and participants would silently listen attentively, due to the fear and respect of him. No student would look into his book(s) or ask any questions. If Habeeb would make an error within the recital, Imam Malik would promptly rectify the error. If the door was crowded with students he would call them inside. Occasionally, he would read himself from Muawtta. Yahya Ibn Bukayr has stated: "I have heard the book(s) Muwatta recited directly by Imam Malik a number of 14 times..."
Within Imam Maliks teaching groups, the number of students is great. Qaazi Ayaadh has recorded over 1300, amongst this group were Imam Maliks own teachers, scholars, peers and subordinates - Namely a few are Ibn Shihaab Zuhri, Yahyaa Ibn Saeed Al-Qaari, Yazeed Ibn Abdullah, Sufyaan Thawri, Awzaa'i, Sufyaan Ibn Uyaynah, Abdur Rahmaan Ibn Mahdi, Abdullah lbn Mubarak, Imam Shaafi'ee, Ibn Qaasim, Abu Aasim etc. (May Allah be pleased with them all).
Imam Maliks son Yahyaa later grew to become a great man of knowledge. He also journeyed to Egypt and conducted lessons of ahadith. His daughter Fatima had memorised the Muwatta; during lessons she would stand behind the door, if the recitor made an error, she would tap her nails on the door. Imam Malik would understand her action and rectify the error.
Special Attributes.
Imam Malik was a Tabe' Taabi'ee. hence, he acquired a great amount of knowledge from Taabi' een. The following is a list of his characteristics.
He was very cautious in procuring fatawaa;
He was very active within the conduct of Sunnah;
He loathed innovations (bidaah);
Matters of belief (aqaaid) were very religiously followed by way of Qur'an and sunnah;
Although during his era there were many sects that arose, yet Imam Malik refrained from enjoining with these;
When the Holy Prophet (SAW) was mentioned, the colour of his face would change;
He never recited a hadith without ablution.
Caliph Harun Rashid requested that Imam Maliks book(s), the Muwatta, should be displayed in the Kaaba, and that all Muslims be imposed to follow Imam Malik within all jurisprudential matters. He refused saying: "Refrain from this as the Companions of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam themselves held opposing views within subsidiary masaail. The common folk already follow these differing views. All are upon the righteous path."
Death.
During the last few years of his life, Imam Malik preferred to remain alone. He never even used to attend the Jamaa' at Friday prayer and used to say that not everyone can openly explain themselves.
According to another statement, Imam Malik imparted that he had a weak bladder. In this condition he found it to be disrespectful to visit Masjid-e-Nabawi (SAW). He further stated that he did not wish to voice his illness as it would be likened to complaining upon that which Allah had procured him with. Hence, Imam Malik remained ill for a number of 22 days. On Monday 14th of Rabi-ul-Awwal 179 A H. Imam Malik took leave from this world. (To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return).
Ibn Kanaanaa and Ibn Zubyr performed Ghusl. His son Yahyaa and his student (calligrapher) Habeeb poured the water, and as Imam Malik had willed, he was shrouded in a white cloth. Ameere Madeenah Abdul Azeez Ibn Muhammad Ibn Ibraheem led the Janazah prayer. Before his death, Imam Malik recited Tashah'hud (verification of the oneness of Allah) and then said:
"With Allah is the command in the past and in the future". (Surah Ar Rum : Verse 004)
Imam Malik was buried in Jannatul Baqee' in Madinah Munawwarah.
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