The Necessity of the Hadith in Islam (H/B)

The statements and actions of our Prophet Muhammad (s) contain much that we need: rules and advice, reminders, examples, warnings and encouragement. The collection of hadiths in Forty Hadiths on Good Moral

Values by Yahya Ondigo contains some of the Prophet?s statements on positive ethics and attributes that all people-Muslims and non-Muslims-should strive to adopt in the way we deal with others; we need to work to incorporate these morals and principles into our daily habits.

This work covers, the Islamic creed, Pillars of Islam, Lawful & Unlawful, Piety and Righteousness, with commentary of Imam al-Ajurri. Anumber of scholars throughout Muslim history have penned their respective compilation of Forty Hadith books. Imam al-Ajurri’s kitab ularba` in Hadithan is among the earliest. It is a highly regarded text for Muslims to study and memorise, for it addresses fundamental aspects of religion, with particular focus on Creed, Pillars of Islam, the Halal and Haram as well as Piety and righteousness.

Islam is based on two major souces : the Quran and the Sunnah, and the latter is available to us in the form of hadiths. The Prophet said, “Whoever comes to know one hadith of mine should spread it.”

I have come to the realization that many youth from among the Muslims have not memorized even one hadith of the Prophet. For this reason I have chosen smaller hadiths so that they can be easily memorized by them and they can spread them to others.

I supplicate to Allah to make this book a source of light on the Day of Judgment for us.

In this unique collection of Forty Hadiths on Poisonous Social Habits, Yahya Ondigo emulates the tradition of Imam an-Nawawi and other great scholars. He has compiled hadiths (records of the guidance) of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and briefly commented on each.

This well-researched and thoroughly documented book offers both Muslim and non-Muslim readers a clear understanding of how the divinely-inspired words and actions of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) apply to our contemporary societies. Such social ills as lying, greed, corruption, smoking, gambling and others have been discussed along with their social implications.

After elaborating each issue, the author has offered wise and insightful advice to get rid of that particular social habit. In this beautifully-worded piece, his deep faith in Islam shines through along with his love and concern for humanity.

This compilation is meant to awaken our realization of the causes and effects of these poisonous habits so that perhaps we may be reminded, take admonition, and try to change our situations. As is the rule, Allah will not change the condition of a people either from bad to good, or vice versa, until the people change what is in them selves.