Maarif al-Sunan


Maarif al-Sunan Sharh Sunan al-Tirmidhi 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.

Background

Yusuf Banuri, born in 1908 in Mohabat Abad, 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.
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.

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 during congregational prayers while following the Imam. These discussions summarize and integrate Anwar Shah Kashmiri's published work on the subject.

Approach

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

Legacy

Muhammad Taqi completed a 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. 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.