The best way to start hadith studies as a beginner is with Imam An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadith: a short collection of 42 authentic narrations that scholars have used for over 700 years as the first step into the Sunnah. Each hadith is brief enough to memorize, yet together they cover belief, worship, character and dealings with people. Study one hadith a week with its explanation, and in under a year you will have a solid foundation, especially if you work through it in Islamic studies with a qualified teacher who can explain the context and answer your questions.
This guide explains why this book comes first, the basic terms you will meet, how to study each hadith, and a simple 12-week plan to get started.
Key takeaways
- Despite the name, An-Nawawi’s collection contains 42 hadith, most from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
- Each hadith is a “pillar” of the religion: short, comprehensive and practical.
- Learn four basic terms first: isnad, matn, sahih and hasan.
- Study the meaning and commentary, not just the translation, and act on each hadith before moving on.
Who Was Imam An-Nawawi?
Yahya ibn Sharaf An-Nawawi (631 to 676 AH) was a scholar of the Shafi’i school who lived and taught in Damascus. Although he died at about 45, his books are among the most widely read in the Muslim world: Riyad as-Salihin, his commentary on Sahih Muslim, Al-Adhkar, and the small book known simply as Al-Arba’in An-Nawawiyyah, the Forty Hadith.
In his introduction, An-Nawawi explains that many scholars had compiled forty hadith collections before him. He chose hadith that each represent a great principle of Islam, so that a student who understands them understands the heart of the religion. He also noted honestly that the narration about the reward for preserving forty hadith is weak, and that he relied instead on authentic encouragement to convey knowledge.
Why the 40 Hadith Is the Right First Book
Beginners often ask whether they should start with Sahih al-Bukhari. Bukhari contains thousands of narrations with repetitions and many specialized chapters, which can overwhelm a new student. The Forty Hadith gives you the essentials in a form you can finish.
| Feature | Why it helps beginners |
|---|---|
| Short length | You can complete it in months, not years |
| Mostly sahih narrations | You build on reliable texts from the start |
| Covers all areas | Belief, worship, halal and haram, character, society |
| Easy to memorize | Many hadith are one or two lines in Arabic |
| Rich commentaries | Classical and modern explanations exist in many languages |
It also connects naturally with the rest of Islamic studies. Hadith 2, the hadith of Jibril, is a summary of Islam, Iman and Ihsan; the hadith on halal and haram leads into fiqh; and the hadith on character complete what you learn from the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him). If you are building a wider learning path, our guides to Seerah for beginners and the fiqh of salah for beginners pair well with this book.
Four Terms Every Beginner Should Know
You do not need a full course in hadith sciences to begin, but these terms will appear in every commentary:
- Isnad: the chain of narrators, for example “Umar ibn al-Khattab narrated that…”
- Matn: the actual text, the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him) or the description of what he did.
- Sahih: an authentic hadith with a connected chain of trustworthy, precise narrators, free of hidden defects.
- Hasan: a good, acceptable hadith whose narrators are reliable but slightly less precise than in a sahih one.
You will also see da’if (weak) and hadith qudsi, a hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) relates words from Allah that are not part of the Quran. Hadith 24 in the collection (“O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself”) is a famous example.
Use the flashcards below to review some of the key hadith in the collection, with their narrator and source.
40 Hadith Flashcards
Flip each card to review the core message and source of key hadith
How to Study Each Hadith
Reading the 40 Hadith once in translation takes an afternoon. Studying it properly is different. For each hadith, work through these five steps:
- Read the translation and the Arabic. Even if your Arabic is basic, follow the original text word by word.
- Learn the narrator. Knowing who reported it (Abu Hurayrah, Aisha, Ibn Umar) slowly builds your knowledge of the Companions.
- Read a commentary. Classical explanations include those of Ibn Daqiq al-‘Id and Ibn Rajab’s Jami’ al-‘Ulum wal-Hikam, which adds eight hadith to reach fifty. Many reliable modern English commentaries exist too.
- Memorize it. Aim for the Arabic text if you can; at least memorize the meaning precisely.
- Act on it this week. If the hadith is “Do not become angry,” make that your focus for seven days.
The last step is what turns hadith study into a change in your life. The early scholars said they learned a few hadith, acted on them, and only then moved on.
Read the full text. You can read every hadith of the collection in Arabic and English, with references, on sunnah.com. Use it alongside a commentary, not instead of one, because a translation alone can miss the context and the lessons scholars draw from each word.
A 12-Week Starter Plan
If one hadith a week feels slow, this plan covers the most foundational hadith first, two or three a week, so you see the big picture early:
| Weeks | Hadith | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | 1, 2, 3 | Intention and the foundations of the religion |
| 3 to 4 | 4, 5, 6 | Destiny, following the Sunnah, halal and haram |
| 5 to 6 | 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 | Sincerity, obedience, purity of earnings |
| 7 to 8 | 13, 15, 16, 17, 18 | Brotherhood, speech, anger and excellence |
| 9 to 10 | 19, 21, 23, 24, 26 | Trust in Allah, steadfastness and charity |
| 11 to 12 | 34, 35, 36, 40, 42 | Society, mercy and hope in Allah’s forgiveness |
After these 12 weeks, return to the hadith you skipped and complete the collection. Then you will be ready for Riyad as-Salihin, the natural next book, which is organized by topic and also compiled by An-Nawawi.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
- Collecting without understanding. Memorizing 42 texts without their meaning misses the point.
- Making rulings from one hadith. Fiqh draws on all the evidence together. A single hadith read alone can be misunderstood, which is why scholars and teachers matter. Our article on the difference between fiqh and aqeedah explains how these fields relate.
- Studying alone forever. Books are essential, but questions come up that only a teacher can answer.
Studying Hadith With a Teacher
Hadith has always been learned from teachers, which is why the isnad exists at all. A teacher helps you read the Arabic, explains the background of each narration, and links it to the Quran, fiqh and daily life. In a one-to-one setting, you also set the pace yourself.
Our online Islamic studies course is a structured way to work through foundational texts like this one, with live lessons that fit your schedule and a free assessment to find your starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hadith are in the 40 Hadith of Imam An-Nawawi?
There are 42. The title follows the tradition of “forty hadith” collections, and An-Nawawi added two more. Ibn Rajab later added eight to make fifty in his famous commentary.
Are all of the 40 Hadith authentic?
Most are from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, and the rest come from other well-known collections. An-Nawawi considered them all acceptable, though later scholars discussed the grading of a few, which a good commentary will mention.
How long does it take to study the 40 Hadith?
At one hadith a week with commentary, about ten months. Many students finish in three to six months by studying two or three a week, as in the plan above.
Do I need Arabic to study hadith?
No, you can begin with a reliable translation and commentary. Learning some Arabic over time deepens your understanding a great deal, because you will notice the precise words the Prophet (peace be upon him) chose.
What should I study after the 40 Hadith?
Most teachers recommend Riyad as-Salihin, then gradually the major collections. A teacher in our Islamic studies classes can suggest the right next book based on your goals and level.
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